Dubai, UAE – Visit California has launched a new online film series designed to transport viewers beyond the state’s iconic cities and into the heart of its breathtaking rural landscapes.

Created specifically to inspire Middle East travelers, the series highlights California’s hidden gems and lesser-known destinations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. With thousands of visitors from the region expected to travel to North America — and California in particular — for the tournament, the initiative aims to encourage deeper exploration across the Golden State.

A Year in the Making

The eight-episode series was developed in collaboration with award-winning filmmakers from More Than Just Parks and represents a full year of production in partnership with regional tourism stakeholders across California.

Through cinematic storytelling, the films guide audiences across dramatic deserts, ancient volcanic highlands, towering redwood forests, charming mountain towns, secluded coastlines, and working farms — all of which contribute to California’s distinctive identity as a world-class travel destination.

Carolyn Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California, said: “Rural California is home to some of the state’s most spectacular landscapes and meaningful stories. This series invites travelers to experience California in a deeper and more authentic way, revealing the beauty and diversity that exist beyond our major cities.”

Weekly Global Releases

Visit California will premiere a new regional film each week across its global channels, offering what it describes as a cinematic invitation to explore a side of California defined by beauty, adventure, and authenticity — a side well known to locals but often overlooked by international visitors.

The series begins with a statewide “Hero Reel” premiere, followed by weekly regional releases running through mid-April.

Travel enthusiasts across the Middle East are invited to be among the first to watch the weekly premieres on Visit California’s official YouTube channel.

Film Lineup and Release Dates

• California Deserts: Journeys Beyond Expectations – February 25
• Road Trip Through Northern California’s Extraordinary Landscapes – March 4
• Shasta Waterfalls: Wild California – March 11
• The Other California: Central Valley Surprises – March 18
• Gold Country, California: An Epic American Road Trip – March 25
• Exploring California’s Central Coast Highway – April 1
• Four Regions, One High Sierra Adventure – April 8
• Route 66 Adventures in Southern California’s Inland Empire – April 15

With its blend of natural grandeur and authentic storytelling, the series positions rural California as a compelling extension to any World Cup itinerary — and a destination worthy of discovery in its own right.