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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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La Jolla Tandem Kayak Rental: Sea Lions & Kelp Beds
La Jolla Tandem Kayak Rental: Sea Lions & Kelp Beds★★★★★★★★★★ 4.21 (33)1h 30mYou get a two-person kayak with all safety gear, paddles, and a water map; the shop delivers it to the launch point and picks it up when you're done. Paddle at your own pace through kelp beds and past sea lions along the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. Showers and facilities are included. Book if you want the freedom to explore without a guide's schedule.Is it for me?Right for couples or friends who want to explore La Jolla's kelp beds and wildlife at their own pace without a guide's schedule — the rental setup and delivery mean you're paddling within minutes of arriving, not spending time on logistics.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 54View ›
Private Rickshaw Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach
Private Rickshaw Tour: Santa Monica and Venice Beach★★★★★★★★★★ 4.82 (33)1hA private rickshaw tour of Santa Monica and Venice Beach for two passengers, guided by a local who speaks English or Spanish. You'll ride past the Santa Monica Pier, Palisades Park, and the Venice Beach Boardwalk, stopping to see Muscle Beach where Arnold Schwarzenegger trained, the skate park, and the 100-year-old Carousel at Pacific Park. Pickup is included; the tour runs one hour and suits all fitness levels, including those with limited mobility.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover both Santa Monica and Venice Beach in one ride without walking between them, or if you're traveling as a pair and prefer a guide who knows the local history behind each stop. The rickshaw's accessible design and relaxed pace also work well for anyone with limited mobility or anyone who'd rather ride than walk the beaches.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 120View ›
Los Angeles: Getty Center Private Tour with Museum Expert
Los Angeles: Getty Center Private Tour with Museum Expert★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (32)1h 30mYou get a private 90-minute walk through the Getty's six buildings with a museum-trained guide who knows the collection and can answer real questions instead of reading notes. The tour includes entry to the museum and access to all galleries, gardens, and views; you choose the timing and focus. Parking is separate ($25, or $15 after 3pm), but public transit is nearby.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Getty's major works without a crowd or a script—the private format and trained guide mean you spend your time on what actually interests you instead of waiting for a group to move.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 225View ›
Sunset Sailing San Francisco Bay: Take the Wheel
Sunset Sailing San Francisco Bay: Take the Wheel★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (32)2hA 2-hour interactive sunset sailing experience on San Francisco Bay departing from Sausalito, where you take the wheel and sail your own course past the Golden Gate Bridge and along the San Francisco shoreline. The guide speaks English or Spanish; bottled water is included. You'll watch the sun lower toward the horizon while the city's lights begin to glow against the darkening sky.Is it for me?You'll be standing and moving around the boat for the full 2 hours, and you're actively steering rather than sitting and watching — this is a hands-on sailing experience, not a sightseeing cruise. Book this if you want to actually sail the bay yourself instead of being a passenger.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 149View ›
Joshua Tree National Park Day Tour: Small Group Under 13
Joshua Tree National Park Day Tour: Small Group Under 13★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (31)10h–12hA small-group day tour from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park with a professional English-speaking guide, park admission, deli lunch and bottled water included. The tour departs early, crosses the Mojave Desert with a photo stop at the Cabazon Dinosaurs, then spends the afternoon exploring the park's rock formations, Joshua trees, Keys View and other named stops before returning to Los Angeles. Groups stay under thirteen people.Is it for me?The ten-to-twelve-hour commitment means you leave early and return by evening, so it works as a full day trip from Los Angeles without eating into another day. If you're new to the park or don't have a car, the guide handles the route and the driving, and park entry is already paid—you just show up and walk the formations.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 219View ›
Lake Tahoe West Shore: 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour & Stories
Lake Tahoe West Shore: 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour & Stories★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (31)2h 30mYou paddle out from Tahoe City on clear, calm water while a guide walks you through the west shore's historic homes and local stories. The 2.5-hour tour includes your kayak, life jacket, and paddle; no separate gear rental. You're back by noon, and the pace is easy enough for families and anyone new to kayaking. Book with a minimum of two people, and note that kids under five can't go and anyone under fourteen must wear their jacket.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want to see Lake Tahoe's west shore up close and learn its history without arranging your own boat and guide—the fixed schedule and included gear mean you show up at Tahoe City and paddle.Free cancellationfromUS$ 84View ›
Wine Tasting Sidecar Tour San Diego: 2.5-Hour Private Ride
Wine Tasting Sidecar Tour San Diego: 2.5-Hour Private Ride★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (30)2h 30mA 2.5-hour private wine tasting tour in San Diego aboard a tandem sidecar—the world's only fleet of two-passenger sidecars—with stops at Liberty Station and Pali Wine Co., each hosted by an accredited guide who walks you through the wines and the location's history. Private transportation and an English-speaking driver are included; tastings are not. Minimum age 21.Is it for me?Choose this if you're riding as a pair in a tandem sidecar—the two-person setup means you experience the neighborhoods and wine stops together, not solo or in separate vehicles.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 165View ›
Private Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch & Solvang
Private Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch & Solvang★★★★★★★★★★ 4.57 (30)5h–6hYou’ll visit three unique wineries for private tastings, enjoy a picnic lunch among the vines, and cruise through Solvang’s quirky Danish streets—all with local insight and zero hassle.Free cancellationfromUS$ 290View ›
Santa Barbara: Kayak & SUP Rental on West Beach
Santa Barbara: Kayak & SUP Rental on West Beach★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (29)1hYou get a kayak or paddleboard with all gear, a calm entry straight into the water, and access to the seal-filled buoys within minutes. No waves to paddle through, no complicated logistics — just walk onto West Beach, get outfitted by the staff, and go. Bring your swimming ability and show up ready to be on the water.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to paddle without the hassle of driving to a launch point or fighting waves to get offshore — the downtown location and calm water mean you're on the ocean within minutes of arriving, which works for families, first-timers, and anyone who just wants to show up and go.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 30View ›
West LA Donut Tour: Baked Treats & Farmers Market
West LA Donut Tour: Baked Treats & Farmers Market★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (29)1h 30m–2hYou walk three donut stops in West LA with a local guide, starting at fōnuts for baked (not fried) donuts, passing Television City, and ending at the Original Farmers Market for seasonal tastings tailored to what's available that day. The guide shares neighborhood history and insider dining tips, and you get to choose what you sample at the market. No advance food ordering needed; the whole experience is designed to be flexible and family-friendly.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want to taste the donut scene in West LA without planning three separate stops yourself—the guide handles the route, the history, and the recommendations, leaving you free to just walk and eat.Free cancellationfromUS$ 70View ›
Lake Tahoe: Evening LED Clear Kayak Tour at Dusk
Lake Tahoe: Evening LED Clear Kayak Tour at Dusk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.86 (29)2hYou launch a clear LED kayak at dusk on Lake Tahoe and paddle for 1.5 hours as the lights inside the hull glow brighter and the sky darkens. The guide keeps the pace easy, points out wildlife and plants along the shore, and you finish as the stars come out. Water, snacks, life jacket and instruction are all included, so you just show up and paddle.Is it for me?Book this if you want an evening on Lake Tahoe that feels different from a standard paddle—the LED glow and dusk timing are what make it work, and the guide handles the route so you just focus on the light and the water.Kids −43%fromUS$ 178View ›
San Diego: Downtown & Balboa Park GPS Scooter Tour
San Diego: Downtown & Balboa Park GPS Scooter Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.41 (29)2hYou ride an electric scooter through Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, Old Town, and past the USS Midway and Maritime Museum on a GPS-guided route. The tour includes helmet, orientation, and the scooter itself. You set your own pace at stops and cover sights that would take hours on foot in a fraction of the time, with no navigation stress.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to cover San Diego's main sights in one morning without renting a car or walking for hours—the scooter and GPS route handle both the navigation and the distance.Free cancellationfromUS$ 82View ›
San Diego GoCar Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy & Harbor Sights
San Diego GoCar Tour: Gaslamp, Little Italy & Harbor Sights★★★★★★★★★★ 4.68 (28)1hYou’ll get to drive your own GPS-guided GoCar through San Diego’s lively neighborhoods—Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter, and along the harbor—catching sights big tour buses just can’t reach. It’s fun, flexible, and full of local flavor.Free cancellationfromUS$ 52View ›
Paso Robles: Aria Syrah Flight Tasting with Winemaker Guillaume Fabre
Paso Robles: Aria Syrah Flight Tasting with Winemaker Guillaume Fabre★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (27)1h 30mYou taste three consecutive vintages of Aria Syrah — 2018, 2019, and 2020 — side by side with a licensed guide explaining what's in each glass. The 2019 blends in Sangiovese; the others are pure Syrah. You move through the flight at your own pace, comparing how the wine shifts across years and understanding the winemaker's hand in every bottle.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to understand how a single wine changes across years without the pressure of a formal class — the flight format lets you taste and compare at your own speed, and the guide is there to answer questions, not lecture.Free cancellationfromUS$ 30View ›
San Francisco Downtown: Architecture & Modern Art Walking Tour
San Francisco Downtown: Architecture & Modern Art Walking Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (27)2h 30mYou walk 2.5 hours through San Francisco's downtown with an English-speaking guide who explains the architecture, the public art, and the urban spaces most visitors miss. You see historic buildings and modern towers, climb into a rooftop park with views, and end at SFMOMA's entrance with the option to visit the galleries or break for lunch. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand downtown San Francisco's architecture and public art without navigating it alone—the guide's knowledge of why buildings matter and where the art is turns a walk into something you actually remember.Free cancellationLikely to sell outKids −40%fromUS$ 49View ›
Santa Monica and Venice Beach 3-Hour Bike Tour
Santa Monica and Venice Beach 3-Hour Bike Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (27)3hA 3-hour guided bike tour starting near the Santa Monica Pier that covers the Venice Canals, Muscle Beach, Marina del Rey, Palisades Park and Venice Beach's vendors and skate culture. A live English-speaking guide provides history and fun facts at each stop, with photo opportunities throughout. The tour includes a bike, helmet and bike bag; you can upgrade to an electric bike if you prefer an easier ride.Is it for me?Choose the regular bike if you're comfortable pedaling and want the full workout; pick the electric bike upgrade if you'd rather coast through the three hours and save your energy for exploring each stop.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 72View ›
Los Angeles Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour
Los Angeles Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (27)1hThis is a walking tour of haunted Los Angeles landmarks led by a live English-speaking guide, covering eight stops including the TCL Chinese Theatre, Yamashiro, Hotel Hollywood, and The Knickerbocker. You walk the streets of Hollywood hearing stories of tragedy and apparitions tied to each site, but do not enter any buildings or private properties—all stories are shared from outside. The tour runs about an hour and is wheelchair accessible; it requires moderate fitness.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want Hollywood's darker stories delivered by a live guide who sets the pace and route, rather than navigating between haunted sites on your own.Free cancellationfromUS$ 30View ›
Lake Tahoe Sunset Kayak Tour: West Shore & Dusk Paddle
Lake Tahoe Sunset Kayak Tour: West Shore & Dusk Paddle★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (27)2hYou paddle a single or tandem kayak along Lake Tahoe's West Shore for two hours starting before sunset, with a guide who shares the lake's history and geology as the water changes color. The tour includes all equipment — kayak, paddle, life jacket, dry bag — and ends while there's still light in the sky. No experience needed; the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Lake Tahoe's most dramatic light without arranging your own boat or timing the sunset yourself — the two-hour window before dusk is what lets you catch the color change without sitting in the dark.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 75View ›
Santa Rosa Bike & Wine Tour: Russian River Valley Wineries
Santa Rosa Bike & Wine Tour: Russian River Valley Wineries★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (27)4h 30mThis is a guided bike tour through Santa Rosa and the Russian River Valley that covers 12 miles roundtrip on easy, relatively flat paved trails and quiet country roads, with stops at 2 to 3 award-winning family-owned wineries for tastings. A professional guide leads the group, educates you about local history, and shows you hidden gems along the route. The tour takes about 4.5 hours and includes a regular bike, helmet, water bottle, lock, handlebar bag, and a rear gear rack designed to carry wine bottles home.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guide leading a group ride on flat terrain—pick a self-guided rental instead if you prefer riding solo or controlling your own pace.Free cancellationfromUS$ 235View ›
San Luis Obispo: Self-Guided Downtown Audio Tour Walk
San Luis Obispo: Self-Guided Downtown Audio Tour Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.26 (27)1h 35m–3h 10mYou’ll wander through downtown San Luis Obispo with your own audio guide in your ear—discovering Bubblegum Alley’s weird charm, hidden Chinatown corners, Mission Plaza’s calm, and stories only locals seem to know. Go at your own pace and let small surprises shape your walk—you might find yourself grinning at something unexpected.Free cancellation-15%fromUS$ 8.49View ›
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