USA  »  California

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
Sort
Downtown LA Food Tour: Grand Central Market to The Last Bookstore
Downtown LA Food Tour: Grand Central Market to The Last Bookstore★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (63)3h 30mA 3.5-hour walking food tour through Downtown Los Angeles with a local guide, starting at Grand Central Market and moving through five neighborhood eateries with tastings equivalent to a full meal. You'll see the Bradbury Building and The Last Bookstore, walk historic Broadway, and finish with tacos and dessert. The tour includes admission, a reusable tote bag, and a guide who knows the neighborhood as a native.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided walk through Downtown LA's oldest market and historic Broadway with tastings at local food stalls and a sit-down pasta meal—all led by a local LA native at an easy pace.Free cancellationKids −100%fromUS$ 110View ›
LA E-Bike Tour: Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign Views
LA E-Bike Tour: Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign Views★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (58)3h–3h 20mYou ride an e-bike from Atwater Village through Griffith Park to Griffith Observatory, passing the Hollywood Sign, the Autry Museum, the Greek Theatre, and the LA Zoo without hiking uphill or waiting in lines. The 3-hour tour includes water, snacks, and coffee, with the motor handling the 1,700-foot elevation gain so you can focus on the views and the stories about Walt Disney, the LA River, and the people who shaped the city's cycling history.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Griffith Park's main sights — the Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, the Greek Theatre, the Autry Museum — in one morning without hiking uphill or renting a car, and you're comfortable pedaling on a bike with electric assist handling the steep climbs.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 175View ›
West Hollywood Food Tour: 5 Stops & French Crepes
West Hollywood Food Tour: 5 Stops & French Crepes★★★★★★★★★★ 4.70 (57)3hYou'll walk through the Original Farmers Market and the Fairfax District with a guide who knows the owners, stopping at five food spots including French crepes, Thai, empanadas, gelato and a Jewish deli. All food is included in the ticket price, water is provided at each stop, and the three-hour pace means you finish by early afternoon without feeling rushed or hungry afterward.Is it for me?Book this if you want to eat real lunch while learning a neighborhood from someone who actually knows it, rather than assembling a meal yourself or following a generic walking route.Free cancellationBest valueKids −20%fromUS$ 99View ›
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental & Sausalito
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental & Sausalito★★★★★★★★★★ 4.30 (56)1dYou pick up a bike in the Marina District with helmet, lock, and a route map that avoids hills. Ride the flat path across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, explore on your own for three to four hours, and return the bike before closing. Ferry back is optional and separate.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito without joining a group or arranging transport—the pickup in the Marina District and the flat route to the bridge mean you start riding within minutes, and the map keeps you on safe streets.Free cancellationKids −19%fromUS$ 45View ›
North Beach San Francisco: Ghost Tour & Full Italian Meal
North Beach San Francisco: Ghost Tour & Full Italian Meal★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (54)3hYou walk through North Beach for three hours with a guide who knows the neighborhood's ghost stories and its food history. You get a full Italian meal—starting at the oldest restaurant in the area, moving through focaccia and pizza stops, and ending with dessert—without arranging reservations or deciding where to eat. The route includes a quick detour into Chinatown's haunted streets and stories tied to real events: the Gold Rush, the Beatnik era, and crimes that shaped the district. You leave full and with a different sense of the neighborhood than you'd get from a standard walking tour.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full dinner and a real sense of North Beach's history without planning the route, choosing restaurants, or deciding what to order—the guide handles the pacing and the stories, and the meal is already built in.Free cancellationfromUS$ 115View ›
Dolby Theatre Tour & Oscar Statuette: Hollywood Access
Dolby Theatre Tour & Oscar Statuette: Hollywood Access★★★★★★★★★★ 4.29 (52)30mYou'll walk through the Dolby Theatre's main halls, see a real Oscar statuette and images from past Academy Awards ceremonies, and possibly step onto the stage where the ceremony is filmed. The tour takes 30 minutes, includes several flights of stairs, and runs only when there's no live performance. Pick up your ticket 10 minutes early at Hollywood & Highland.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see inside the actual venue where the Academy Awards happen without spending hours on a studio tour—the 30 minutes gets you the main spaces and the Oscar statuette, and the fixed schedule means you're in and out and back on Hollywood Boulevard by mid-morning.Instant confirmationInfants freefromUS$ 26View ›
Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour from San Francisco with 3 Tastings
Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour from San Francisco with 3 Tastings★★★★★★★★★★ 4.51 (51)9hYou get picked up at your hotel, cross the Golden Gate Bridge with a photo stop, drive through Sausalito, and taste wine at three different wineries—Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, a smaller private operation, and V. Sattui in Napa. All three tasting fees are included, plus the guide and transport. The day is long enough to feel complete but structured enough that you're back before evening.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in San Francisco who want to see both Sonoma and Napa wine regions in one day without driving or arranging tastings themselves. Plan for a full day out—that's what makes fitting three wineries and the Golden Gate Bridge into a single trip possible.Free cancellationfromUS$ 1,399View ›
San Francisco: California Academy NightLife 21+ Ticket
San Francisco: California Academy NightLife 21+ Ticket★★★★★★★★★★ 4.32 (50)4hYou get four hours inside the California Academy of Sciences after hours, with live DJs, cocktails, and access to all exhibits including the Morrison Planetarium (passes available first-come, first-served or reserved in advance for $5). Bring a valid photo ID, plan to arrive by 7:30pm if you want to see the rainforest, and know that the planetarium fills up fast on popular nights.Is it for me?Book this if you want a night out in San Francisco that's not a typical bar or club—the Academy's exhibits, live music, and planetarium dome give you something to do and see while you're there, which is what makes four hours on a Thursday night feel like an actual event instead of just another evening.Free cancellationfromUS$ 26View ›
Kayaking near Santa Barbara: Gaviota Coast Wildlife
Kayaking near Santa Barbara: Gaviota Coast Wildlife★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (50)3h 30mKayak the Gaviota Coast near Santa Barbara on a 3.5-hour guided paddle through one of California's few remaining undeveloped coastlines. You'll operate your own kayak (or share a double), paddle roughly 3 miles through kelp beds, and learn about marine ecology from your guide while watching for wildlife. Gear, wetsuit and instruction are included; children from age 5 are welcome, and the trip suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?You operate the kayak yourself on a shared paddle with a small group, which means you're moving through the water under your own power rather than watching from a boat. It suits anyone who wants to be in the water and moving, not sitting still—and the guide handles the route, the timing and the wildlife spotting so you can focus on paddling.Free cancellationfromUS$ 122View ›
Coronado Island Segway Tour: Bay Views & Hotel del Coronado
Coronado Island Segway Tour: Bay Views & Hotel del Coronado★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (50)3hA 3-hour Segway tour through San Diego's downtown, waterfront and Coronado Island, starting in the Gaslamp Quarter with a 30-minute orientation and a guide narrating the route. You ride through downtown, along the Embarcadero with views of San Diego Bay, then take a ferry to Coronado to see Coronado Beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado before returning by water. The Segway covers ground a walking tour cannot, and the ferry ride is included.Is it for me?If you speak Spanish or prefer a Spanish-language guide, book the afternoon departure, which is narrated in Spanish; the morning tour is in English. Either way, the guide narration means you don't need to research the stops beforehand—the history and context come as you ride.Free cancellationfromUS$ 229View ›
Paso Robles: Private Sidecar Winery Tour & Wine Tasting
Paso Robles: Private Sidecar Winery Tour & Wine Tasting★★★★★★★★★★ 4.66 (50)2h 30mYou get picked up, ride in a private tandem sidecar to two family-owned Paso Robles wineries, taste at each location, and finish with an unhurried final tasting at the first winery. The sidecar ride itself becomes the connective tissue between stops instead of a forgettable shuttle, and because it's private, the whole day moves at your pace.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see two Paso Robles wineries without driving yourself or waiting in a group shuttle — the private sidecar is what makes the ride between tastings feel like part of the tour instead of just getting there.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 165View ›
Santa Barbara Beginner Mountain Bike Tour: Coastal Trails & Meadows
Santa Barbara Beginner Mountain Bike Tour: Coastal Trails & Meadows★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (50)1h 30m–2hYou’ll get to explore Santa Barbara’s coastal trails on a high-quality mountain bike, guided by someone who knows every twist and turn. It’s a relaxed way to see hidden meadows, feel the ocean breeze, and maybe even spot some local wildlife—no experience needed, just a sense of adventure.Free cancellationfromUS$ 125View ›
Downtown LA Helicopter Tour: Sunset & Night Skyline Flight
Downtown LA Helicopter Tour: Sunset & Night Skyline Flight★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (49)35mYou fly in a private helicopter with two other passengers maximum, departing at sunset, dusk, or night. You see Downtown LA's skyline, the Hollywood Sign, Dodger Stadium (or Griffith Observatory on game days), and Crypto.com Arena lit up below, with live commentary through your headset. The flight includes all taxes, fuel surcharge, and airport charges; you just need to arrive 15 minutes early and sign the waiver.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want a premium view of LA's skyline without the crowds of a group tour, and who don't mind the cost of a private flight — the small group size is what makes the commentary personal and the sightlines unobstructed.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 285View ›
San Diego Private Tour: Hotel Del, La Jolla, Cabrillo & Old Town
San Diego Private Tour: Hotel Del, La Jolla, Cabrillo & Old Town★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (48)5hA private guided tour of San Diego covering Hotel Del Coronado, Balboa Park, La Jolla Cove, Sunset Cliffs, Cabrillo National Monument and Old Town, with hotel or airport pickup included. The route is flexible—you can spend more time at any stop and less at another. Five hours total, with an experienced driver-guide speaking English or Spanish, plus bottled water and snacks.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see San Diego's main landmarks in one morning without renting a car or navigating between stops yourself. The private format means you set the pace at each location—linger at Cabrillo's views or spend more time in Old Town without affecting anyone else's schedule.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 479View ›
Paso Robles: Sidecar Wine Tour & Cass Winery Tasting
Paso Robles: Sidecar Wine Tour & Cass Winery Tasting★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (48)4hYou ride through Paso Robles wine country in a sidecar, stopping at three wineries for hand-selected tastings and insider stories about the region's award-winning wines. The tour wraps with an exclusive tasting at Cass Winery on their estate, and your private guide handles all the driving and timing so you can focus on the wine and the views. Four hours total, includes transportation between all stops.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste Paso Robles wines without arranging your own transportation or timing between stops—the sidecar and private guide handle both, which is what makes it possible to visit four different wineries and actually remember what you tasted.Free cancellationfromUS$ 169View ›
Downtown LA Food Tour: 7 Tastings in Chinatown & Little Tokyo
Downtown LA Food Tour: 7 Tastings in Chinatown & Little Tokyo★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (47)3h 30m–4hA guided walking food tour through Downtown Los Angeles covering Grand Central Market, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and historic landmarks, with tastings at 7 top-rated eateries and a live English-speaking guide. The tour runs 3.5 to 4 hours and includes metro fare, so you move between neighborhoods by transit instead of driving. Choose between a private tour or a public group departure.Is it for me?Book the public tour if you're comfortable walking with a small group and want to meet other food travelers; choose the private option if you prefer a dedicated guide and the flexibility to linger at stops or ask questions without keeping others waiting.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 167View ›
LA: Celebrity Homes Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Pass
LA: Celebrity Homes Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Pass★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (47)2hYou ride a luxury sprinter van with a live guide past celebrity homes and through Hollywood Hills, Mulholland Drive, and Beverly Hills; then activate your hop-on hop-off pass to explore 19 stops across two routes—Hollywood's Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre on the Red Route, or Santa Monica Beach on the Blue Route—at your own pace over 24, 48, or 72 hours, with real-time bus tracking via the Big Bus app.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Hollywood's main attractions without renting a car or figuring out public transit—the sprinter van tour handles the celebrity homes and neighborhoods, and the hop-on hop-off pass lets you explore the rest at your own pace.Free cancellationfromUS$ 79View ›
San Francisco: Gregangelo Museum Garden & Artist Studio Tour
San Francisco: Gregangelo Museum Garden & Artist Studio Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (45)2h–3hYou walk through six outdoor garden installations with riddles and questions created by local artists, then share a homemade meal with the creative team inside. The afternoon includes access to private studios, chances to see artists at work, and spontaneous performances. It's a Thursday-only experience that blends introspection with real connection, and it takes about three to four hours from start to finish.Is it for me?Right for people who want to spend an afternoon around working artists and their process, not just look at finished work on a wall — the shared meal and studio access are what make the connection real.Free cancellationfromUS$ 220View ›
Santa Barbara: Kayak & SUP Rental on West Beach
Santa Barbara: Kayak & SUP Rental on West Beach★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (45)1hYou arrive at the rental stand on West Beach, get fitted with a life vest and paddle, and launch from calm, flat water with no waves to fight. Paddle out to the seal buoys in minutes or explore the open ocean if you want — the gear is current and the entry is easy enough for families. You need to be able to swim, and the rental is yours for as long as you book it.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to paddle without arranging transport to a distant launch point or waiting for the tide — the downtown beach location and flat water mean you're paddling within minutes of arriving.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 15.39View ›
San Francisco Bay: 45-Min Seaplane Tour & Golden Gate
San Francisco Bay: 45-Min Seaplane Tour & Golden Gate★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (43)45mYou take off from Sausalito's seabase and fly 45 minutes over the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods' ancient redwoods, Stinson Beach, Crissy Field, Oracle Park, Alcatraz, and Angel Island before landing back in Richardson Bay. Every seat is a window seat; shuttle from Fisherman's Wharf is included; the pilot handles all navigation and safety.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the entire San Francisco Bay and its coastline in one flight without arranging your own transport to the seabase — the shuttle from Fisherman's Wharf and the fixed 45-minute route mean you show up and fly, with the pilot handling everything else.Free cancellationfromUS$ 376View ›
Do you need help planning your next activity?