Enter the "California Milestone Moments" Photo Contest

The first 'wow' moment when you saw the Half Dome. The first photo you snapped out the window as you crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. Your first hug with a giant Sequoia, or your dog catching his first Frisbee on a California beach.

These are the kinds of "California Milestone Moments" that people can share -- and win prizes for -- during a new photo contest launching today by Visit California, the state's official tourism agency.

The easy-to-enter contest aims to collect images of those incredible first-time experiences that could only happen in California. To enter, participants should go to Visit California's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/VisitCA/app_244041225639079). Next, they can upload a photo and brief description capturing a personal "California Milestone Moment." Once the image is uploaded, Visit California's Facebook fans can "like" their favorite photos and stories.

At the end of the three-week contest, the ten entries with the most likes will win special prizes – including a branded eco-friendly water bottle and an iPhone 4/4s case – from Visit California. "California Milestones" runs April 26 – May 16, 2012.

Visit California (formerly known as the California Travel & Tourism Commission) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state's travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures total $102.3 billion annually in California (19.1 percent of which is international), support jobs for 893,000 Californians and generate $6.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.