More than just a collection of hotels and restaurants, California's hospitality industry is the economic heart of the state, pulsating with the energy of 2.1 million workers who served 235 million visitors and generated $185 billion in economic output in 2023 alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, California's hospitality industry employed 2.1 million workers, accounting for 12% of the state's total workforce
- As of Q4 2023, the accommodation and food services sector in California had 1,856,400 jobs, up 4.2% from 2022
- California restaurant industry supported 1.2 million jobs in 2022, with 527,000 direct positions
- Hospitality generated $185 billion in economic output for California in 2023
- CA restaurant industry sales reached $152 billion in 2023, 10% of state GDP
- Hotel revenue in CA totaled $28.4 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022
- California's hospitality industry welcomed 235 million visitors in 2023
- International visitors to CA: 12.5 million in 2023, spending $32B
- Domestic leisure travelers to CA hospitality: 148 million trips in 2023
- California had 5,678 hotel properties with 512,000 rooms in 2023
- CA hotel occupancy rate averaged 68.5% in 2023
- Average Daily Rate (ADR) for CA hotels $210.45 in 2023
- California restaurant industry includes 92,000 establishments serving 1.2B meals annually in 2023
- Full-service restaurants in CA: 45,000 locations, $95B sales in 2023
- Limited-service (fast food) outlets in CA: 38,000, $52B revenue 2023
California's large hospitality industry is thriving and vital to the state's economic recovery.
Employment and Workforce
- In 2023, California's hospitality industry employed 2.1 million workers, accounting for 12% of the state's total workforce
- As of Q4 2023, the accommodation and food services sector in California had 1,856,400 jobs, up 4.2% from 2022
- California restaurant industry supported 1.2 million jobs in 2022, with 527,000 direct positions
- Hospitality workforce in California grew by 156,000 jobs between 2021 and 2023 post-pandemic recovery
- Women comprise 52% of California's hospitality employees, with 48% in managerial roles as of 2023
- In Los Angeles County, hospitality jobs reached 450,000 in 2023, representing 15% local employment
- California's hotel sector employed 248,000 workers in 2023, with average wage of $28.50/hour
- Food service jobs in San Francisco Bay Area totaled 312,400 in 2023, up 6% YoY
- 18% of California's hospitality workforce is Hispanic/Latino, contributing to 25% of industry leadership
- Hospitality training programs in CA graduated 45,000 workers in 2022-2023
- Unemployment rate in CA hospitality dropped to 5.2% in 2023 from 18% in 2020
- San Diego hospitality employed 112,000 in 2023, with 22% part-time roles
- CA's event staffing in hospitality added 67,000 seasonal jobs in 2023
- Average tenure of hospitality workers in CA is 4.2 years, higher than national 3.1
- 32% of CA hospitality jobs require no high school diploma
- Hospitality unions represent 15% of CA's 2.1M hospitality workers in 2023
- Inland Empire hospitality jobs grew 8% to 89,000 in 2023
- CA hospitality median wage $22.40/hour in 2023, 12% above national average
- Youth employment (16-24) in CA hospitality: 28% of total workforce 2023
- Sacramento hospitality sector employed 76,500 in 2023, up 5.1%
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
Nearly single-handedly serving up California’s economic recovery, the hospitality industry now keeps a witty 2.1 million people—over half of them women—gainfully employed, paying them above-average wages to prove that this essential, resilient workforce is far more than just a side dish.
Hotel and Accommodation Metrics
- California had 5,678 hotel properties with 512,000 rooms in 2023
- CA hotel occupancy rate averaged 68.5% in 2023
- Average Daily Rate (ADR) for CA hotels $210.45 in 2023
- Luxury hotels in CA (5-star): 156 properties, 25,000 rooms in 2023
- Short-term rentals in CA: 145,000 listings active in 2023
- Los Angeles hotel room supply 98,000 rooms, 72% occupancy 2023
- RevPAR for CA hotels $144.20 in 2023, up 12.5% YoY
- San Francisco hotel pipeline: 4,200 new rooms by 2025 announced 2023
- Budget hotels (2-star) in CA: 1,200 properties, 110,000 rooms 2023
- CA resort hotels: 890 properties with 78,000 rooms in 2023
- Hotel construction starts in CA: 12,500 rooms in 2023
- Average hotel room size in CA 340 sq ft in 2023 surveys
- San Diego hotel occupancy 74.2% in 2023, ADR $238
- CA independent hotels: 2,100 properties, 35% market share 2023
- Hotel guest satisfaction score in CA 84.5/100 in 2023
- Orange County hotels 1,450 rooms added in 2023
- CA boutique hotels: 450 properties with 18,000 rooms 2023
- Sacramento hotel RevPAR $132 in 2023, occupancy 67%
- CA timeshare resorts: 120 properties, 22,000 units in 2023
Hotel and Accommodation Metrics Interpretation
While California's hotel industry confidently reports that over two-thirds of its half-million rooms are filled each night at over $200 a pop, the 145,000 short-term rental listings lurking nearby suggest guests are still shopping for a deal, a unique experience, or perhaps just a kitchen.
Restaurant and Food Service Metrics
- California restaurant industry includes 92,000 establishments serving 1.2B meals annually in 2023
- Full-service restaurants in CA: 45,000 locations, $95B sales in 2023
- Limited-service (fast food) outlets in CA: 38,000, $52B revenue 2023
- Average check per restaurant guest in CA $28.50 in 2023
- CA fine dining restaurants: 2,800 establishments, Michelin stars 89 in 2023
- Restaurant occupancy/seat turnover in CA averaged 2.8 turns/day 2023
- Los Angeles restaurants: 28,000+, $38B sales in 2023
- CA food trucks: 4,500 active, generating $1.2B revenue 2023
- Bar and tavern establishments in CA: 12,000, $15B sales 2023
- San Francisco restaurant sales $12.4B in 2023, up 9%
- CA vegan/plant-based restaurants grew 22% to 1,200 in 2023
- Average restaurant labor cost 32% of sales in CA 2023
- San Diego restaurants 8,900 outlets, $10B sales 2023
- CA brewpubs and craft breweries with food: 950, $3.5B combined 2023
- Delivery/takeout sales share 28% of CA restaurant revenue 2023
- Sacramento restaurants 4,200, sales $5.8B in 2023
- CA casual dining chains: 15,000 locations, 45% market share 2023
- Food waste in CA restaurants: 1.2M tons annually 2023
- Orange County restaurants 7,500, $9.2B revenue 2023
Restaurant and Food Service Metrics Interpretation
Despite feeding Californians over a billion meals a year with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, the state's restaurant industry still grapples with the high-wire act of turning a profit while juggling labor costs, food waste, and our relentless hunger for everything from a Michelin-starred tasting menu to a taco from a truck.
Revenue and Economic Impact
- Hospitality generated $185 billion in economic output for California in 2023
- CA restaurant industry sales reached $152 billion in 2023, 10% of state GDP
- Hotel revenue in CA totaled $28.4 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022
- Tourism spending in CA hospitality hit $147 billion in 2023, supporting 1.1M jobs
- CA hospitality contributed $23.5 billion in state/local taxes in 2023
- Los Angeles hospitality economic impact: $45.2 billion in 2023
- San Francisco hotel RevPAR $245 in 2023, generating $4.8B revenue
- CA foodservice sales grew 7.2% to $162B in 2023
- Hospitality multiplier effect added $75B indirect spending in CA 2023
- Orange County hospitality output $18.7B in 2023, 9% local GDP
- CA event and convention revenue $12.3B in 2023 post-recovery
- Restaurant taxes generated $8.9B for CA in 2023
- San Diego hospitality GDP contribution $22.1B in 2023
- CA hospitality capital investment $6.2B in new properties 2023
- Bay Area hospitality revenue $32.4B in 2023, up 11%
- CA gaming hospitality (casinos) revenue $9.8B in 2023
- Hospitality supply chain spending $45B in CA 2023
- Sacramento hospitality economic impact $10.5B in 2023
- CA hospitality exports (international tourism) $25.6B in 2023
- Inland Empire hospitality revenue $7.2B in 2023, growing 9%
Revenue and Economic Impact Interpretation
If California’s hospitality industry were a guest at its own party, it would be the one who not only brought the $185 billion feast but also washed all the dishes, paid the $23.5 billion tab, and quietly secured the jobs of 1.1 million friends on the way out.
Tourism and Visitor Statistics
- California's hospitality industry welcomed 235 million visitors in 2023
- International visitors to CA: 12.5 million in 2023, spending $32B
- Domestic leisure travelers to CA hospitality: 148 million trips in 2023
- Los Angeles saw 51.2 million visitors in 2023, 22% to hospitality venues
- San Francisco visitor volume 26.4 million in 2023, up 8% YoY
- Average length of stay for CA tourists: 4.8 nights in 2023
- 68% of CA visitors stayed in hotels in 2023
- San Diego hosted 36 million visitors in 2023, generating $5.2B lodging spend
- CA national park tourism (hospitality tie-in): 52 million visits in 2023
- Business travelers to CA: 42 million in 2023, 35% used hospitality services
- Orange County visitors 42 million in 2023, 60% hotel stays
- CA wine country tourism: 24 million visitors in 2023
- Airport arrivals driving hospitality: LAX 75 million passengers 2023
- Repeat visitors to CA hospitality: 71% in 2023 survey
- Sacramento tourism volume 15.8 million visitors 2023
- CA beach tourism: 110 million visits in 2023, tied to hospitality
- International overnight stays in CA: 8.7 million in 2023
- Event attendees in CA hospitality venues: 89 million in 2023
- Inland Empire visitors 28 million in 2023, up 12%
- Bay Area convention visitors 4.2 million in 2023
Tourism and Visitor Statistics Interpretation
California, being a place of both world-famous allure and constant business, cleverly sustains its golden economy by expertly blending a staggering 235 million annual visitors into a lucrative cocktail of international spenders, sun-chasing beachgoers, repeat loyalists, and convention-weary professionals, all while somehow still finding them a hotel room.
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