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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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Electric Motorbike Tour Joshua Tree National Park: UBCO 2x2 Ride
Electric Motorbike Tour Joshua Tree National Park: UBCO 2x2 Ride★★★★★★★★★★ 4.79 (19)2h 30mA guided small-group electric motorbike tour through Joshua Tree National Park on a UBCO 2x2 all-wheel-drive bike, lasting about two and a half hours. No motorcycle license is required—only a regular driver's license and prior 2-wheel riding experience. The tour covers both paved and unpaved roads, with stops at landscape features, local history sites, and a short hike to the Queen mine area. Includes helmet, gloves, jacket, water and a snack; available 7 days a week. Minimum age 21; minimum height 5'3".Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride an electric all-wheel drive motorbike through remote Joshua Tree terrain—you'll need prior 2-wheel riding experience and a regular driver's license, but no motorcycle endorsement.Free cancellationfromUS$ 169View ›
Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur private day trip from San Francisco
Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur private day trip from San Francisco★★★★★★★★★★ 4.47 (19)10hA private full-day tour from San Francisco down the Pacific Coastal Highway to Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur with your own guide, hotel or airport pickup, bottled water and snacks. The route is customizable and the group stays under six people, so the pace and stops are yours to shape. Your guide leads you through Pacific Grove's ragged coastline, the 17-Mile Drive past Hollywood estates and Pebble Beach Golf Club, Carmel's 75 art galleries and wine bars, Bixby Bridge built in 1932, and Soberanes Point in Big Sur where creeks, hiking trails and rock formations meet the ocean.Is it for me?Book this if you have a full day free and want to see Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey in one trip with a driver handling the route and stops.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 1,020View ›
Lake Tahoe Sunset Kayak Tour: Emerald Bay & West Shore
Lake Tahoe Sunset Kayak Tour: Emerald Bay & West Shore★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (19)2h 5mYou paddle across Lake Tahoe's clear waters with an experienced guide who teaches you paddling basics and shares the lake's ecology and history. The tour launches about two hours before sunset, timing the light shifts as the water changes color. You get a kayak, paddle, and PFD; the route takes you toward Emerald Bay and the Upper Truckee River wildlife refuge with views of the West Shore peaks. You're back on shore as the sun sets.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Lake Tahoe at its most photogenic hour without arranging your own boat or figuring out paddling technique — the guide handles both, and the fixed launch time means you catch the light instead of chasing it.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 79View ›
Paso Robles: Sonata Red Blend Wine Flight & Tasting
Paso Robles: Sonata Red Blend Wine Flight & Tasting★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (19)1h 30mYou taste three vintages of the Sonata red blend—2019, 2020, and 2021—guided through the tasting notes and the year-to-year shifts by someone who knows the wine. The 2020 won Double Gold at a major competition. You leave understanding what a blend does and why these particular grapes matter in Paso Robles.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand how a blend changes year to year and why the 2020 won recognition—the flight format lets you taste the difference instead of just reading about it.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 30View ›
San Francisco Bay Flight Tour: Golden Gate & Alcatraz Aerial Views
San Francisco Bay Flight Tour: Golden Gate & Alcatraz Aerial Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.42 (19)30m–40mYou arrive at Hayward airport, check in, and take off in a four-seat Cessna for a 45-minute loop over the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Bay Bridge, and San Francisco's waterfront. Headsets let you hear the guide's commentary; you can record the flight for an extra fee. The plane returns you to the same office where you started, and the whole experience — from arrival to landing — takes about two hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from a perspective you can't get from land, and you'd rather spend 45 minutes in the air than hours planning a boat tour or driving to overlooks. The small group size and fixed route mean you're not negotiating what to see — the pilot knows the best angles and timing.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 319View ›
Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Pickup & Ferry
Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Pickup & Ferry★★★★★★★★★★ 4.58 (19)8hYou’ll cross San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge with local stories from your guide, walk beneath ancient redwoods in Muir Woods, enjoy Sausalito’s waterfront art scene and seafood lunch options, then take a ferry to Alcatraz Island with an audio guide included. Expect moments of calm awe—and maybe even some laughter—along the way.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −22%fromUS$ 159View ›
Santa Barbara Taco Tour on E-Bikes: 3 Taquerias, Funk Zone
Santa Barbara Taco Tour on E-Bikes: 3 Taquerias, Funk Zone★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (17)1h 30mA 90-minute e-bike tour of Santa Barbara that stops at three taquerias for one taco each, with a beer or soda at the final stop. A local guide leads the route through the Funk Zone neighborhood and along the path to East Beach, sharing the city's history and what makes each district distinct. The tour includes the e-bike and all food and drink; vegetarian and meat options are available at each taqueria.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to taste three taquerias across different neighborhoods on an e-bike rather than walking between them—the ride itself becomes part of discovering each spot.Free cancellationfromUS$ 80View ›
Los Angeles: 50-Minute Helicopter Tour Hollywood & Beaches
Los Angeles: 50-Minute Helicopter Tour Hollywood & Beaches★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (16)50mYou board a helicopter and spend 50 minutes flying over the Hollywood Sign, Downtown LA's skyline, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Dodger Stadium and the Getty Center. All fees and taxes are included in the price. Weather can cause cancellations with a full refund or reschedule option, and federal flight restrictions sometimes change the route with little notice, so flexibility helps.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the whole Los Angeles landscape in one flight without arranging ground transport between viewpoints — the 50 minutes covers the distance and the highlights that would take hours to drive.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 550View ›
San Francisco: Painted Ladies & Twin Peaks GoCar Tour
San Francisco: Painted Ladies & Twin Peaks GoCar Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (16)4hYou rent a two-seater GoCar with GPS navigation and drive yourself past the Golden Gate Bridge, up Twin Peaks for panoramic views, through Haight-Ashbury, and down the crooked Lombard Street. The route includes stops at the Painted Ladies, Sutro Baths, Golden Gate Park, and Fort Point, with a full tank of gas and helmets included. The whole tour takes 4 hours and you move at your own pace.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see San Francisco's main landmarks—Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies, Lombard Street—without waiting for a tour bus or arranging their own transport. The GPS handles navigation, so you just drive and stop when something interests you.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 269View ›
Muir Woods, Sausalito & Tiburon: Private Day Trip from San Francisco
Muir Woods, Sausalito & Tiburon: Private Day Trip from San Francisco★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (16)4hYou get picked up from your hotel, driven across the Golden Gate to walk among 300-foot redwoods at Muir Woods, then choose your pace through Sausalito's waterfront cafes and Tiburon's quieter village streets. The guide is yours alone, the group stays under six, and you're back before evening. Book this if you want the main Bay Area sights without arranging three separate trips or waiting for a tour bus to fill up.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Bay Area highlights in one morning or afternoon without arranging transport, timing yourself between three towns, or sitting on a tour bus — the private guide and flexible schedule are what make all three stops fit into a single trip.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 453View ›
E-Bike Tour in Balboa Park: San Diego's Cultural Heart
E-Bike Tour in Balboa Park: San Diego's Cultural Heart★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (16)2hAn e-bike tour of Balboa Park in San Diego led by a professional guide covers the park's museums, gardens and architectural landmarks in two hours. The electric bikes handle the park's terrain while you stop at the Spanish Village Art Center, Japanese Friendship Garden, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Old Globe Theater and the Cabrillo Bridge. A guide in English or Spanish narrates each stop; helmets, water and snacks are included.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Balboa Park's main cultural landmarks and gardens without the fatigue of walking or pedaling uphill—the e-bikes let you cover the park's scale in two hours and stop long enough at each site to understand what you're looking at.Free cancellationfromUS$ 169View ›
Hollywood Helicopter Tour: Iconic Signs & Skyline Views
Hollywood Helicopter Tour: Iconic Signs & Skyline Views★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (16)35mA 35-minute helicopter tour departing from Van Nuys Airport that flies over the Hollywood Hills, Sunset Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, the TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood Sign, with a live English-speaking guide and panoramic windows for unobstructed views. The tour operates day or night, weather permitting, and requires a minimum of two passengers; groups of four or more fly in separate rotations. All applicable taxes and fees are included.Is it for me?This is a shared-flight tour, so you'll fly with other passengers and the helicopter will be seated according to weight distribution for safety. Book this if you want to see Hollywood's most famous sights from the air without renting a helicopter or hiring a private flight—the 35-minute route covers the major landmarks and costs far less than a private charter.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 450View ›
Mist Trail Vernal Fall hike guided day trip: Yosemite Valley
Mist Trail Vernal Fall hike guided day trip: Yosemite Valley★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (16)6h–8hThis 6 to 8-hour guided hike on the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park takes you from Yosemite Valley to the base of Vernal Fall, then up a steep granite staircase alongside the cascade itself. A professional guide leads the route, which operates April through November and includes trekking poles on request. The elevation gain is approximately 1,265 feet, and the hike requires a moderate level of fitness.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads at a pace suited to a moderate fitness level, so you can follow the commentary and the route without scrambling to keep up. This works well if you're visiting Yosemite for the first time and want the Mist Trail without navigating the park or the trail logistics yourself.Free cancellationfromUS$ 360View ›
Tahoe National Forest Moonlight Snowshoe Tour: Under Starry Sky
Tahoe National Forest Moonlight Snowshoe Tour: Under Starry Sky★★★★★★★★★★ 4.75 (16)2hA guided snowshoeing activity in Tahoe National Forest where you walk roughly 2 hours through winter forest and open meadows under moonlight, with snowshoes and trekking poles provided. The reflective light from snow and moon means no headlamps are needed, and your guide uses a high-powered laser to point out constellations like Orion, Pegasus and Andromeda visible from the high elevation. Children from age 8 are welcome, and the small group size makes encounters with other visitors unlikely.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the group in person, so anyone comfortable following commentary in English can join. The 2-hour walk is rated suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health -- the moderate pace and flat-to-gentle terrain mean this is about being present under the stars, not pushing yourself hard.Free cancellationKids −22%fromUS$ 90View ›
Silicon Valley Private Tour from San Francisco: Tech Landmarks
Silicon Valley Private Tour from San Francisco: Tech Landmarks★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (16)5hA private car tour of Silicon Valley departing from San Francisco takes you past Meta, Apple, Google and Stanford University over five hours, with hotel pickup included and the freedom to choose which stops matter most to you. Your driver offers recommendations on the best photo spots and places to explore further, and you set the pace. Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to set your own pace through the valley instead of following a fixed bus schedule—the private car and the driver who waits for you are what make that possible, and what keep the morning from disappearing into logistics.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 560View ›
Point Reyes Self-Guided Driving Tour & Audio Guide
Point Reyes Self-Guided Driving Tour & Audio Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.00 (16)1h 20m–2h 40mThis self-guided driving tour through Point Reyes and Tomales brings you into West Marin’s farm country—with real local voices guiding you past ranches, bayside views, and small towns where everyone seems to know your name. Includes lifetime audio access and offline maps for an easygoing adventure you’ll remember every time you see rolling green hills.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 8.99View ›
San Diego Embarcadero: Ghost Tour & Haunted Ships
San Diego Embarcadero: Ghost Tour & Haunted Ships★★★★★★★★★★ 4.27 (15)1hYou walk the San Diego Embarcadero for an hour with a guide who knows the waterfront's haunted history, visiting the Old Police Headquarters, viewing the USS Midway and historic ships from shore, and using ghost detection tools at several stops. The tour is PG-13 and includes all equipment; no boarding of ships, just viewing and listening from the waterfront.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants a short, focused ghost tour of downtown San Diego without a long time commitment — the hour covers the main haunted locations and the detection tools give you something to do besides just listen, which is what keeps the pace moving and the group engaged.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 23View ›
Griffith Park & Hollywood Sign Sunset Hike Los Angeles
Griffith Park & Hollywood Sign Sunset Hike Los Angeles★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (15)3hYou hike 3.5 miles from the Greek Theater through Griffith Park's Bird Sanctuary and up Mount Hollywood, learning about the Tongva and seeing the city spread below you. You stop at the best Hollywood Sign viewpoints, pass a hidden 1920s garden, and finish at Griffith Observatory for a free museum tour and sunset views. The reusable water bottle and guide are included; kids 7–11 enter free. Plan to arrive early and use public transit to avoid parking trouble.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Griffith Park highlights—Hollywood Sign views, Mount Hollywood's summit, and the Observatory—without arranging transport or timing multiple attractions yourself. The fixed start time and included guide keep the day structured, which matters in LA traffic.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 60View ›
Los Angeles: Museum of Tolerance Skip-the-Line Entry
Los Angeles: Museum of Tolerance Skip-the-Line Entry★★★★★★★★★★ 4.13 (15)1h–2hYou skip the entry line and move straight into the Anne Frank exhibit and Holocaust galleries at your own pace. The Social Lab walks you through how prejudice operates today, while the main exhibit grounds you in primary documents and testimony from the 1940s. The whole visit takes three to four hours, and you choose your arrival time when you book. Wheelchair accessible throughout, with public transit nearby.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to understand the Holocaust and contemporary prejudice without spending the morning in line—the timed entry means you choose when to arrive and go straight in, which is especially useful on busy days or if you're visiting with a school group or family.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 21View ›
Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles
Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles★★★★★★★★★★ 4.43 (14)8h 30mA full-day wine tasting tour departing Los Angeles for Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez wine country, with stops at a vineyard winery, optional tastings in a small wine town at lunch, and sightseeing along the Pacific Coast Highway, Lake Cachuma and Los Padres National Forest. The tour runs 8.5 hours with a live English or Russian-speaking guide, pickup from your Los Angeles location, bottled water and winery entrance fees included.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Russian, so book the departure that matches your language—the live commentary makes the drive and the stops more useful than a self-guided alternative. The 8.5-hour commitment works best if you're based in Los Angeles and want a full day of wine country without overnight travel.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 549View ›
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