Although California just legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 and it just went into effect in January of this year, the state already had a flourishing tourism industry. Despite legality, California has always been the clandestine destination for many a cannabis connoisseur. If you’re planning on visiting the Golden State to get your cannabis on, then you should have knowledge.

What knowledge, you ask?

Well, first you should be aware of the laws regarding legal recreational consumption in California. That’s a must, especially since it would be a real bummer to have your vacation interrupted by a stay in jail. And, unless you plan on just holing up in a hotel and smoking your vacation away (hey, we’re not judging), then you’ll need to know some fun places to visit where you can enjoy some of the local cannabis cultures and, maybe, have a lot of fun while doing so.

What You Can (and Can’t) Do

As long as you have an ID verifying that you’re 21 or older, you can legally buy up to one ounce of flower or up to 8 grams of cannabis concentrates. Make sure that you bring cash because many dispensaries will not accept checks or credit/debit cards. If you’re planning on a longer stay, you can grow up to six plants. Take care, though, because your plants must be grown inside or within an enclosed structure.

However, you can’t just light up in public. Public consumption of cannabis is still illegal and will net you a $100 fine. Don’t stray too close to schools or day care centers, either. Also, while it may seem like a “duh” statement, don’t drive while stoned, either. If you have the marijuana in your car, it must be in a sealed package. If that seal is broken, stow it in your trunk. Don’t buy more than an ounce of marijuana. That comes with a $500 fine or a few months in jail. However, if you’re staying long enough to grow, you can keep your entire harvest.

Finally, never, ever, cross state lines or try to fly with the cannabis you’ve purchased in California. Now that we’ve covered the dos and don`ts, now we can get on to what things you should definitely consider on your California weed vacation.

Bay Area Weed & Wine Tour

If you’re planning on visiting San Francisco, then you won’t go wrong by using a Saturday and penciling in a Bay Area Wine & Weed Tour. Beginning at the Oakland Cannabis Creative, this 420-friendly tour lasts approximately 4.5 hours. Stop along the Golden Gate Bridge before it’s off to the top cannabis cultivation facility in the Bay Area, The Betty Project. Feeling hungry? Don’t worry. You’ll get lunch and a wine tasting at the Trek Winery in Novato.

Book a 420-Friendly Hotel

No matter what fun things you have planned for your vacation, you’re going to need a place to sleep. The legalization of marijuana in California has allowed some of the top hotels to become weed-friendly. Checkhere for some options that will let you get your cannabis on even after you’ve packed it in for the day.

Hop On A 420-Tour Bus and Enjoy Your Ride

What’s a visit to California without a ride on a tour bus or a nice hike with your trekking poles? Whether exploring wine country, the Bay Area, or a celebrity tour, being able to enjoy with your vapor pens, vaporizing your cannabis or light up a joint while enjoying the scenery is always a plus. Cannabis offers both Northern and Southern California tours, with the latter being the shortest option if you’re in a pinch for time.

Take In A Cannabis Farm Tour

If you have a green thumb and want to learn from some of the best in cannabis cultivation, then scheduling a tour of a cannabis farm is for you. You’ll learn exactly what it takes to turn a seed into a flowering plant at some of the newest cultivation facilities.

Puff, Pass, and Paint

If you’re the artistic type, then you’re going to love getting the creative juices flowing with some primo cannabis. Express yourself after imbibing by putting the paintbrush to canvas and letting your artistic side flow. The classes are about 2 hours long, but you’ll have the experience of expanding your consciousness – and you’ll have a painting to show for it, too!

Painting, not exactly your thing? There’s a Puff, Pass, and Pottery class, too!

MaryJane & Music

Start off visiting a few dispensaries and then spend some time at a dab lounge. After that, it’s off to the Los Angeles Music Scene, where you’ll have an all-access pass to some of the hottest venues in LA’s music scene.

Feeling Sore or Tense? Get a Cannabis-Infused Massage

Ok, even if you’re not feeling tense or sore, who can turn down a massage? Oils infused with CBD and other cannabinoids provide anti-inflammatory benefits as well as reducing stress and helping with chronic pain. You can book a single or couple’s massage for 60, 90, or 120-minutes.

These are just some of the things that you can do on your California weed vacation. Don’t forget to pick up your vape pen or dry herb vaporizer to take with your to your 420-friendly hotel – skip trying to travel with it – some jurisdictions count these as paraphernalia, so best to plan to buy there and leave it behind.

 About the Author

Michael Jacobs is a marketing and creative content specialist at GotVape.com with a primary focus on customer satisfaction. Technology and fitness combined with healthy lifestyle obsession are his main talking points.