Santa Maria Valley Will Pay You to Visit

We're all well aware that the coronavirus pandemic has crippled the tourism industry. But one California town isn't going down without a fight. CNN reports that Santa Maria Valley has just launched a promotional campaign that will pay visitors $100 to visit the central California town.

The payment requires a two-night stay and comes in the form of a voucher that can be used at local wineries, breweries and restaurants.

"Santa Maria Valley has so much to offer," Jennifer Harrison, Direct of the Santa Maria Valley Visitors Bureau, told CNN. "We have beautiful beaches, hotels and wineries that are such a great option for budget-conscious travelers during a time of economic rebound."

California emerged as the new coronavirus epicenter in recent months, but recently reversed stay-at-home orders as metrics improved. As recently reported, new cases in California are down nearly 65% from last year's peak on December 15, but the return to single-family outdoor dining has some concerned. In December, California's leisure and hospitality sector lost 117,000 jobs, the largest sector lost in the state, and most of these positions were in food services.

Even so, Santa Maria hopes visitors will safely venture to the valley, following health protocols to keep both employees and travelers safe. In 2017, the region launched its own Pride celebration, migrating the festivities online in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Santa Maria Valley is known for its 34 wineries, along with beautiful vistas for hiking and taking in the great outdoors.