Outdoor recreation in California generates $85.4 billion

Hiking, camping, hunting and fishing, among other outdoor activities, help generate $85.4 billion in annual spending in California, more than any other state in the country, according to a new study.

Spending on outdoor recreation in the state also helps support 732,000 jobs and generates $6.7 billion in state and local taxes, according to the study by the Outdoor Industry Assn., the trade group for outdoor retailers, manufacturers and others.

The report represents the first time that the organization has broken out the spending by individual state.

Nationally, Americans spend $646 billion on outdoor recreation annually. That represents a 5% increase each year from 2005 to 2011, according to the association.

Each year, the industry helps support 6.1 million jobs across the country and generates $40 billion in federal taxes, plus nearly $40 billion in state and local taxes, the association’s study said.

The study concluded that California lead the nation in spending on outdoor recreation, followed by Florida ($38.3 billion) and New York ($33.8 billion).

Annually, Americans spend more on outdoor recreation than on pharmaceuticals, cars, gasoline and household utilities, but less than outpatient health care needs, the study said.

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