Putting Rancho Cordova on the Map
Our region has long been a beloved destination for those in the know: home to the American River, award-winning craft beverages, hidden-gem restaurants, adventurous activities, and a thriving sense of community. Tourism to the area is blossoming, attracting travelers who live for outdoor experiences, affordable attractions, and safe lodging options.
The heart behind this project is rooted in uplifting Rancho Cordova's local identity. The commercial is designed to help travelers understand why they should book a visit, extend a weekend, or return again and again. It’s a love letter to our home and an open invitation to everyone else.
By showcasing real experiences and genuine moments, we’re inviting future travelers to explore Rancho Cordova as more than a dot on a map. We're a destination full of joy, connection, and discovery.
Cinematic Storytelling That Feels Real
In a world full of glossy tourism ads, Visit Rancho Cordova set out to create something heartfelt and grounded. This story was built around the people and places that make Rancho Cordova great.
To keep that authenticity at the forefront, we intentionally focused on real residents, real small businesses, real scenery, and real adventures. From morning paddles on Lake Natoma to shopping for vintage decor, every moment of the commercial was designed to highlight the laid-back lifestyle Rancho Cordova offers without pretense. Scenes were shot on location and almost all of them feature a business owner or related partner on screen in addition to hired casting. Keep an eye out for Prairie City Kart Track manager Donald Durbin Jr. passing out water bottles during the go-kart scenes and Movement Brewing Co. owner Nick Cavanagh cheersing a foam-crested beer!
Inclusivity is one of Visit Rancho Cordova's deepest values, and it's an integral part of our community. We hired a diverse, local cast that mirrors the vibrant cultural makeup of Rancho Cordova to help viewers to envision themselves here, too. Unexpectedly, each cast member's personal history tied them to Rancho Cordova in some way, and many had been to their scene's location before. Talk about a wild happenstance! As a result, each scene feels rooted in reality.
Partnering with GRDN Media: A Perfect Creative Match
When you're capturing a distinct vision on film, you have to choose your crew wisely. We spent well over a year watching the content produced by local storytellers and were thoughtfully selective with the agencies we decided to approach.
To bring our vision to life, we ultimately chose to partner with GRDN Media, a talented local film studio known for visually stunning, emotionally compelling storytelling. GRDN Media has worked with Visit Sacramento, Puma, Hoka, Jessup University, and more. Their craft is rooted in a commitment to authenticity, something that aligned perfectly with our brand values.
GRDN Media didn’t just capture footage; they captured the very heart of Rancho Cordova. Their team approached each scene with curiosity and deep care, drawing out the true personality of each business and experience. Their respect for each location was palpable.
From detailed shot planning long before their boots touched down on location soil, to real-time collaboration with our attractions on the week of our shoot, GRDN Media's careful work has ensured that Rancho Cordova is represented beautifully and honestly.
9 Must-Experience Attractions Take Center Stage
Rancho Cordova is a place where every traveler can find their own kind of fun. A commercial is designed to be very short, so we worked hard to fit all we could into one film. We aimed to capture the depth and breadth of Rancho Cordova's experiences by highlighting our core key activity types in the area: outdoor fun, soft adventure, dining, and our award-winning Barrel District.
To represent the diverse tapestry of experiences available here, we reached out to several community partners and narrowed the list down to nine key attractions that showcase the best of our local tourism scene. Viewers will see exciting outdoor recreation at Sac State Aquatic Center, Mather Golf Course, and go-karting at Prairie City Kart Track, globally-inspired dining at Il Forno Classico and KP International Market, antique shopping at Bliss Vintage Marketplace, curious play at Sacramento Children's Museum, the energetic vibes of Movement Brewing Co., and farm-fresh produce at Soil Born Farms.
Whether travelers are into soft adventure like weekend farmers markets or want to sip and savor their way through handcrafted beverages made by passionate local brewers, the commercial highlights the authenticity of what we have to offer. What you see on screen is exactly what you'll get when you come to visit Rancho Cordova.
Launching on Meta and Connected TV: Reaching Travelers Where Inspiration Strikes
Once a film is made, it needs to be seen. Our digital strategy will make sure that happens. Rancho Cordova’s new commercial will be posted to our website and social media channels for easy viewing. It will also appear through highly targeted Meta advertising on Facebook and Instagram, reaching users who have already shown interest in travel, recreation, food and beverage experiences, and California road trip adventures.
The commercial will also stream through Connected TV (CTV) campaigns, bringing Rancho Cordova to living rooms and mobile screens nationwide. Think of the streaming services and apps on your Smart TV. With precise audience targeting, our commercial's message will reach the travelers who are most likely to visit and appreciate what makes Rancho Cordova special. You can learn more about CTV advertisement here.
Our multi-channel, interest and behavior driven approach will raise visibility, strengthen our destination brand, and support local businesses and tourism partners by driving future visitor interest.
How Residents and Local Partners Can Help Amplify the Story
Data shows that travelers trust locals. Our community plays an essential role in sharing Rancho Cordova with the world. You can help us spread the excitement in several ways.
- Copy and paste the Youtube link to share the commercial on your social media channels and tell friends why you love living, playing, or working here.
- If you own or manage a Rancho Cordova business, consider embedding the video on your website, displaying it in-store, or promoting it in your own content. You can get the embed code directly from Youtube by clicking the "share" button below the video.
- When sharing, tag us at @VisitRanchoCordova. We'd love to engage, re-share, and extend the reach even further.
Every share boosts awareness and helps visitors discover a place that is ready to welcome them with open arms. Thank you for helping us get the word out!