California Welcome Center reports visitor gains, higher gift-shop sales and new park‑pass sales
September 20, 2026 | Yucca Valley, San Bernardino County, California
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The California Welcome Center updated the council on outreach, visitation and retail activity in 2024 and early 2025. Linda, representing the center, told council the center's mission is to assist travelers, market the area and operate a gift shop and that the town currently provides $120,000 annually to support operations.
"In 2024, we helped over 26,000 guests at the welcome center," Linda said, and she noted an 18% increase in international visitors and a 15% year-over-year increase in early 2025 visitation for the same quarter. Linda reported the center sold 619 park passes in 2024 (a 40% increase versus the prior year), added a pedestrian pass required for commercial tours on Jan. 1, 2025, and generated about $186,000 in gift‑shop gross revenue in 2024 (a roughly 36% increase from 2023).
The presentation covered partnerships (including Visit California, Visit Greater Palm Springs and local businesses), a new interactive digital kiosk and local business promotion programs. Council members praised the welcome center's results and discussed continued opportunities to integrate tourism marketing with regional partners.
Council and staff also invited the center to continue collaborating on FAM tours and upcoming Visit California events as a way to expand exposure for Yucca Valley businesses.
"In 2024, we helped over 26,000 guests at the welcome center," Linda said, and she noted an 18% increase in international visitors and a 15% year-over-year increase in early 2025 visitation for the same quarter. Linda reported the center sold 619 park passes in 2024 (a 40% increase versus the prior year), added a pedestrian pass required for commercial tours on Jan. 1, 2025, and generated about $186,000 in gift‑shop gross revenue in 2024 (a roughly 36% increase from 2023).
The presentation covered partnerships (including Visit California, Visit Greater Palm Springs and local businesses), a new interactive digital kiosk and local business promotion programs. Council members praised the welcome center's results and discussed continued opportunities to integrate tourism marketing with regional partners.
Council and staff also invited the center to continue collaborating on FAM tours and upcoming Visit California events as a way to expand exposure for Yucca Valley businesses.
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