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Top Things to Do in California

We compared all 782 experiences in California so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.7 782 experiences from US$ 5 Free cancellation on most experiences
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San Diego: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley with 11 Stops & Cruise Port Access
San Diego: Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley with 11 Stops & Cruise Port Access★★★★★★★★★★ 4.59 (111)2hYou board at the cruise terminal, choose which of eleven stops to visit — Old Town, Maritime Museum, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, Balboa Park, Little Italy, or Barrio Logan — and hop off and on as your schedule allows. Live commentary plays during the ride, and the trolley runs frequently enough that you're never stranded waiting. You're back at the ship with time to spare because the route and timing are built around port schedules, not the other way around.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in San Diego for the day and want to see multiple neighborhoods without arranging separate transport or timing yourself against the ship's departure — the trolley stops are fixed, the schedule is built around cruise schedules, and you decide how long to stay at each one.Free cancellationMost bookedKids −36%fromUS$ 57View ›
Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Tour Downtown, Montecito & Courthouse
Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Tour Downtown, Montecito & Courthouse★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (111)2h 30mYou’ll cruise Santa Barbara’s coastline and hidden streets by electric bike with a local guide, climb the courthouse tower for city views, hear quirky stories about Montecito and Stearns Wharf, and even get tips on secret ice cream shops. Expect laughter, sea air, and moments you’ll want to linger in.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfromUS$ 90View ›
Napa Valley: E-Bike Winery Tour & Bouchon Bakery Lunch
Napa Valley: E-Bike Winery Tour & Bouchon Bakery Lunch★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (111)5h 30mYou’ll cycle Napa Valley’s vineyard roads on an electric bike with a local guide, visiting two wineries for tastings and stories straight from passionate hosts. Enjoy a picnic lunch from Bouchon Bakery under the trees, soak up vineyard views, and share laughs with fellow travelers along the way. It’s an easygoing day full of small surprises — you might even forget you’re exercising.Free cancellationfromUS$ 214View ›
San Francisco: Walking Tour with Cable Car & Chinatown Tastes
San Francisco: Walking Tour with Cable Car & Chinatown Tastes★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (110)4h 30mYou’ll trace San Francisco’s past on foot from Gold Rush streets through Nob Hill’s grandeur to bustling Chinatown. Ride an iconic cable car (ticket included), watch fortune cookies being made (and taste them warm), then end your day at the Ferry Building market as locals head home. It’s more than sightseeing — you’ll feel part of the city for a few hours.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −100%fromUS$ 129View ›
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge & City Jeep Tour (Max 6)
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge & City Jeep Tour (Max 6)★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (110)2hYou get a private Jeep, a driver who knows San Francisco, and a 2–3 hour route that includes the Golden Gate Bridge crossing, Coit Tower, Chinatown, and your choice of additional stops. The customizable itinerary means you're not locked into someone else's pace, and the small group size — up to 6 — keeps it intimate. Pickup and drop-off happen at Fisherman's Wharf.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main San Francisco landmarks without renting a car or figuring out public transit timing — the private Jeep and flexible route mean you're not locked into a fixed schedule, and the small group keeps it personal instead of crowded.Free cancellationfromUS$ 198View ›
Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food Photo Tour: Shoot Like a Pro
Santa Barbara Funk Zone Food Photo Tour: Shoot Like a Pro★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (110)3hA three-hour walking food tour through Santa Barbara's Funk Zone where you taste local seafood, wine, and gastropub fare at multiple stops while learning smartphone food photography from a guide. The guide shares stories about the neighborhood's transformation from warehouses into an arts and dining hub, and teaches you practical framing and lighting tips you can use immediately. All tastings and beverages are included.Is it for me?Start from lower State Street without needing to arrange your own transportation to the Funk Zone—the guide meets you there and handles the route, the tastings, and the photo instruction all in one three-hour block, so you walk away knowing both the neighborhood and how to shoot it.Free cancellationfromUS$ 170View ›
San Diego North Park: Beer Tasting Tour & Brewery Crawl
San Diego North Park: Beer Tasting Tour & Brewery Crawl★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (110)3hYou'll visit three to four North Park breweries with a local beer expert, tasting multiple styles while learning about brewing, food pairing, and the neighborhood's transformation. Snacks are included throughout, and your guide gives you insider tips on where to eat and drink after the tour ends. No beer knowledge required — just a willingness to taste and ask questions.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand San Diego's beer culture without planning the stops yourself — the guide handles the route, the tastings, and the knowledge, which is what makes a casual brewery walk into actual education.Free cancellationfromUS$ 85View ›
Santa Rosa E-Bike Rental: Wine Country Trails & Local Eats
Santa Rosa E-Bike Rental: Wine Country Trails & Local Eats★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (110)3hYou’ll get to explore Santa Rosa’s best bike trails at your own pace, stopping for local eats and wine tastings along the way. This self-guided e-bike rental lets you see hidden corners of wine country without breaking a sweat—and there’s plenty of time for spontaneous detours or just soaking up small-town charm.Free cancellationfromUS$ 105View ›
Houston: Private Traitor Among Us Escape Room Game
Houston: Private Traitor Among Us Escape Room Game★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (107)1hYou’ll step into a private Houston escape room with your own group—no strangers—and race against time to save your spaceship while hunting for a hidden traitor among you. Expect laughter, suspicion, and plenty of twists as you vote out suspects and try not to get “floated.” It’s tense fun that’ll stick with you after you leave.Free cancellationfromUS$ 42View ›
Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego: Border Culture & Local Food
Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego: Border Culture & Local Food★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (106)5hYou cross the border with a local guide who knows the neighborhoods and the history. Your day includes the Tijuana Arch, El Popo market, the Collectors Museum with its Lucha Libre collection, and time on Avenida Revolución. Meals and drinks are covered, and transport back to San Diego is included—you just need to show up with your passport and be ready to move.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in San Diego who want a real taste of Tijuana culture and food without arranging their own border crossing and navigation. Expect a few hours on foot moving through neighborhoods and markets—that's what lets you see the city the way locals do, not as a tourist passing through.Free cancellationfromUS$ 78View ›
de Young Museum & Legion of Honor: Golden Gate Park Art Ticket
de Young Museum & Legion of Honor: Golden Gate Park Art Ticket★★★★★★★★★★ 4.19 (106)2h–4hYou get admission to the de Young Museum's permanent galleries plus access to the Hamon Observation Tower with views across the Bay, an optional audio tour, and same-day entry to the Legion of Honor. The ticket is self-paced, so you move through the galleries on your own schedule and decide whether to add the Special Exhibitions upgrade. Wheelchairs are available to borrow, and the entire museum is accessible.Is it for me?This ticket works well if you want to see two major San Francisco art museums without buying separate tickets or planning two separate trips — the same-day access to both means you can visit one or both depending on how much time you have, and the self-paced format lets you spend as long as you want in front of whatever catches your eye.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickKids −100%fromUS$ 25View ›
Carlsbad: Small Group Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour
Carlsbad: Small Group Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.77 (105)2hYou board a small-capacity boat with a marine biology guide and cruise the Carlsbad, Oceanside and Encinitas coast for 2–3 hours watching for whales and dolphins. The limited group size means you move freely, the guide explains behavior and migration patterns as you watch, and the route adjusts based on where the animals are that day. Professional crew and all entry are included; check seasonal rates before booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales or dolphins without being one of eighty people on a crowded boat—the small group size is what makes it possible to actually move around and hear the guide explain what's happening.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 85View ›
North Beach Walking Tour San Francisco: Church Visit
North Beach Walking Tour San Francisco: Church Visit★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (104)1h 30mA guided walking tour of North Beach in San Francisco takes you through the neighborhood's Italian heritage, Washington Square Park, Saints Peter and Paul Church, and Lombard Street's famous curves, ending with an included ticket to the SkyStar observation wheel for sweeping views of the bay. The tour runs 90 minutes with a live English-speaking guide. You can book the tour alone or add the SkyStar Wheel admission; a private version is also available if you prefer a smaller group.Is it for me?Book the tour-only version if you want the neighborhood walk and the stories without the observation wheel; add the SkyStar Wheel ticket if you want the 150-foot views of the bay and skyline as the finale. Choose the private tour if your group prefers a smaller gathering than the standard group size.Free cancellationBest valuefromUS$ 39View ›
San Francisco Bay: 2-Hour Private Sailing & Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco Bay: 2-Hour Private Sailing & Golden Gate Bridge★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (104)2hYou spend two hours on a private yacht with a licensed captain, taking the wheel yourself as you sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, past Alcatraz and Angel Island, and across the San Francisco waterfront. The boat holds six passengers maximum, includes bottled water, and departs from Sausalito. Bring a waterproof jacket and sunscreen, and wear shoes that grip.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually sail rather than just watch, and if a small group (up to six) and hands-on instruction appeal to you more than a large tour boat. The interactive element is what makes two hours feel complete instead of rushed.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 149View ›
San Francisco E-Bike Tour: Painted Ladies & Mission Murals
San Francisco E-Bike Tour: Painted Ladies & Mission Murals★★★★★★★★★★ 4.73 (104)3h–4hYou ride an electric bike through 3 to 4 hours of San Francisco's real neighborhoods—North Beach, the Mission, the Castro, Pacific Heights—stopping at Dolores Park, Alamo Square's Painted Ladies, and Oracle Park without pedaling uphill. The tour includes helmet, lock, and a full-day bike rental so you can keep riding to the Golden Gate Bridge afterward if you want. You need to be confident in city traffic and book within 48 hours of your preferred date.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the real neighborhoods of San Francisco in one ride without fighting hills or arranging your own transport—the electric bike and fixed route are what make covering this much ground in 3 to 4 hours actually possible.Free cancellationfromUS$ 115View ›
Malibu Wine Food Beach Tour: Celebrity Coast Open-Air Bus
Malibu Wine Food Beach Tour: Celebrity Coast Open-Air Bus★★★★★★★★★★ 4.61 (104)4h 30mThis 4–5 hour guided tour of Malibu travels in a small open-air bus (4 to 12 people) along the coast and into the Santa Monica Mountains, with complimentary wine and snacks for guests 21 and over. The tour stops at Point Dume State Beach to walk the nature preserve and spot seals, Paradise Cove for a private beach with its own pier and restaurant, a wine and food tasting in the Malibu wine country, and Malibu Country Mart to end the day. The bus is licensed to allow alcohol consumption while moving, which is the only tour of its kind in the Malibu area. A live English-speaking guide leads the group; children from age 1 are welcome, and you can bring your own drinks and snacks if you prefer.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drink wine while touring the coast from a moving bus—it's the only Malibu tour that allows it, and the group format (4–12 people) keeps costs shared.Free cancellationfromUS$ 70View ›
Napa River: History Kayak Tour & Local Secrets
Napa River: History Kayak Tour & Local Secrets★★★★★★★★★★ 4.72 (103)2hYou paddle a single kayak down the Napa River for 1.5 to 2 hours with a guide who shares local history most tourists miss—from the valley's founding to Elvis sightings. The tour includes your kayak, lifejacket, paddle, and guide, launching from downtown Napa. No kayaking experience needed, though you should be comfortable on the water for the duration.Is it for me?Book this if you want Napa's history without the wine-tasting crowds and prefer to learn from the water itself—the slow pace and small group size are what make the stories stick.Free cancellationfromUS$ 69View ›
Hollywood & Sunset Blvd: Ferrari Self-Drive Tour with Co-Pilot
Hollywood & Sunset Blvd: Ferrari Self-Drive Tour with Co-Pilot★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (103)20mYou’ll take the wheel of a real Ferrari California for 20 minutes through Hollywood Blvd and up Sunset Strip with an experienced local co-pilot by your side. Expect quick stops for photos at iconic spots, stories about celebrity hangouts, and that unmistakable LA energy buzzing around you — plus no deposit required. It’s fast, fun, and leaves you grinning long after the engine cools down.Free cancellationfromUS$ 70View ›
Santa Barbara: Private Surf Lesson with Board & Wetsuit
Santa Barbara: Private Surf Lesson with Board & Wetsuit★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (103)1h 30mYou’ll meet your instructor right on the beach south of Santa Barbara, get fitted for a wetsuit and board, then learn how to catch your first wave with patient coaching. Expect laughter, salty air, and that wild rush when you finally stand up—even if only for a second. It’s not about perfection; it’s about feeling that Pacific energy under your feet.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 85View ›
Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory: Hike with photo stops
Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory: Hike with photo stops★★★★★★★★★★ 4.80 (101)3hYou hike through Griffith Park for an hour with a local guide who knows the Observatory's history inside out, stop frequently to photograph the Hollywood Sign up close, and get admission to Griffith Observatory included so you can see the exhibits and terraces. The climb is steady but not brutal, and the guide handles the pacing so you're not gasping the whole way.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want the Hollywood Sign in their photos without guessing where to stand, and who have an hour to climb at a steady pace. Plan for moderate physical effort — the stairs are real, and that's what gets you the view.Free cancellationfromUS$ 307View ›
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