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Top Things to Do in California

We compared all 783 experiences in California so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.7 783 experiences from US$ 5 Free cancellation on most experiences
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San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Views
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (1,759)1hYou board at Fisherman's Wharf and spend an hour on the water passing under the Golden Gate Bridge, circling Alcatraz and Angel Island, and watching the bay from angles you can't get from land. The multilingual audio guide explains what you're seeing, and the open deck means you're not behind glass. Your ticket is flexible — use it any day through year-end, so you can book now and decide when to go.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main San Francisco Bay views — the bridge, Alcatraz, the headlands — without renting a car or figuring out which vantage points are worth the trip. The fixed route and hour-long format fit between other plans, and the open ticket means you can book ahead without committing to a specific day.Free cancellationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 39View ›
San Diego: Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise Mission Bay
San Diego: Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise Mission Bay★★★★★★★★★★ 4.59 (1,751)2h–3hYou’ll set sail from Mission Bay with an expert guide, scan for whales and playful dolphins in open Pacific waters, pass by Sunset Cliffs’ golden bluffs, and catch glimpses of local life along San Diego’s coast. Expect salty air, spontaneous wildlife sightings, and moments that stick with you long after you’re back on shore.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 71View ›
Sonoma Valley: Small-Group Wine Tour & Sausalito Stop
Sonoma Valley: Small-Group Wine Tour & Sausalito Stop★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (1,663)9h 30mYou’ll ride from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sonoma Valley for tastings at three boutique wineries (with all fees included), guided by a local who knows every backroad story. Lunch is up to you in historic Sonoma Square before a breezy stop in Sausalito and final bridge views. It’s relaxed, personal, and you’ll leave with more than just new favorite wines.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −16%fromUS$ 169View ›
Hollywood Sign Hike Los Angeles: Front, behind, and the view
Hollywood Sign Hike Los Angeles: Front, behind, and the view★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (1,612)2h 30mYou hike to the front of the Hollywood Sign for the classic shot, then continue behind the letters to a viewpoint most LA visitors never reach. Your guide handles the photography at both spots, shares the real stories behind Hollywood's history, and points out the studios, landmarks, and celebrity homes visible from the trail. Choose between a full 2.5-hour loop or a 90-minute express. Free parking at the trailhead, and you leave with restaurant tips for the rest of your trip.Is it for me?A good fit if you want both the iconic Hollywood Sign shot and the behind-the-letters viewpoint most LA visitors miss, without arranging your own route or holding a camera the whole way up. The full hike is 2.5 hours and 4 miles on an easy-to-moderate trail — that's what fits both viewpoints into one morning or afternoon.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 29View ›
San Francisco: Golden Gate, Muir Woods & Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz
San Francisco: Golden Gate, Muir Woods & Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (1,581)9hYou'll ride through San Francisco's neighborhoods, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, walk among the redwoods of Muir Woods, and drive through Sausalito, all with a local guide in a small group. Alcatraz ferry tickets and audio tour can be added and slot into the morning or afternoon — your exact schedule confirms the day before. The whole day runs about nine hours from a 9am start.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want San Francisco's main sights in one day without arranging your own transport or timing — the minibus and guide handle both, which is what makes four stops fit into nine hours.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −22%fromUS$ 109View ›
La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour for Two & Wildlife
La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour for Two & Wildlife★★★★★★★★★★ 4.69 (1,457)1h 30mYou and a partner paddle a tandem kayak from La Jolla Shores toward the sea caves, kelp forests and rock formations while a naturalist guide points out sea lions, seals and birds. Cave entry depends on ocean conditions and your group's ability. The tour includes kayak, paddle, life jacket and wet suit rental, with instruction on the beach before you launch. Plan to arrive an hour early for gear setup.Is it for me?Book this if you want to paddle La Jolla's sea caves and kelp forests with a guide who knows the wildlife and conditions, and you're traveling with one other person. The tandem kayak means you're paddling together, which takes coordination but also means shared effort and shared view.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 75View ›
San Francisco Bay: Golden Gate Sunset Catamaran & Sea Lions
San Francisco Bay: Golden Gate Sunset Catamaran & Sea Lions★★★★★★★★★★ 4.80 (1,421)1h 35mYou board at Pier 39 with a complimentary drink, sail past sea lions and Alcatraz, and watch the Golden Gate Bridge glow as the city lights up behind you over 1.5 hours. The catamaran has both open-air nets and covered viewing areas, a professional crew, and keeps groups small enough that you're not fighting for a spot at the rail. Bring a jacket and soft shoes, and plan to be back on the dock as the light fades.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz in one trip without renting a boat or figuring out timing yourself—the fixed 1.5-hour window and small group size mean you're watching the sunset with people who came for the same reason, not a crowd.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 88View ›
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Tour
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (1,407)6hYou’ll cross San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge with a local guide sharing real stories, stroll beneath towering redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument, and relax over lunch by the water in Sausalito. Expect spontaneous stops in neighborhoods like Chinatown and Pacific Heights—plus easy pickup and drop-off so you can just soak it all in.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 119View ›
San Francisco Chinatown & North Beach: 7 Tastings Food Tour
San Francisco Chinatown & North Beach: 7 Tastings Food Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (1,400)4hYou walk through San Francisco Chinatown and North Beach with a local guide, stopping at seven different food stops: dim sum from a historic bakery, tea ceremony, a traditional Chinese meal, handmade fortune cookies, award-winning chocolate, Italian pizza, and fresh cannoli. All food and non-alcoholic beverages are included. The tour runs in the afternoon and takes you through hidden alleys and local gathering spots that most visitors miss, ending with a full sense of how these two neighborhoods shaped the city.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to taste both neighborhoods in one afternoon without planning separate restaurant stops or figuring out which shops are worth the line—the fixed itinerary and local guide handle the routing and the reservations, leaving you free to eat and listen.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −31%fromUS$ 96View ›
San Diego: Amphibious Seal Tour by Land & Bay Waters
San Diego: Amphibious Seal Tour by Land & Bay Waters★★★★★★★★★★ 4.73 (1,370)1h 45mYou’ll roll through downtown San Diego before splashing right into San Diego Bay aboard an amphibious vehicle with live narration. Watch sea lions laze on buoys, hear stories about local history from your guide, and see iconic sights like Point Loma and the Maritime Museum—all without switching seats. Expect laughter, salty air, and moments you’ll remember after you’ve left the city behind.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −29%fromUS$ 56View ›
San Francisco: Movie Locations Tour & Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco: Movie Locations Tour & Golden Gate Bridge★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (1,316)3hYou'll visit seven major San Francisco landmarks — Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, North Beach, Nob Hill, Union Square, and Transamerica Pyramid — while watching clips from over 55 films and TV shows shot in the city. An actor-turned-guide shares behind-the-scenes stories and film industry details throughout the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is the air-conditioned vehicle and all clips shown onboard, so you don't need to arrange transport or worry about navigating between stops.Is it for me?This tour works well if you want to see San Francisco's most famous landmarks without planning the route yourself or figuring out which films were shot where — the guide does both, and the clips make the connection between the real city and the movies immediate and clear.Free cancellationKids −34%fromUS$ 67View ›
San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Tour
San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.55 (1,217)7h–8hYou travel in a small van across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods, where you walk among 1000-year-old redwoods at your own pace, then explore Sausalito's boardwalk and galleries. A ferry takes you to Alcatraz Island with an award-winning audio guide covering the prison's history and famous inmates. You choose your departure time and whether you want a day or sunset night tour, and you stay on the island as long as you want before catching the last ferry back.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see three major Bay Area attractions in one day without renting a car or coordinating separate tickets and ferries—the van handles the driving and the route, the audio guide handles the history, and you control the pace at each stop.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 159View ›
Universal Studios Hollywood: Express Pass & All-Day Admission
Universal Studios Hollywood: Express Pass & All-Day Admission★★★★★★★★★★ 4.47 (1,213)1dYou get all-day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood plus one-time express access to every ride, show and attraction, plus reserved seating at shows and one entry to Super Nintendo World if reservations are required. The pass is valid only on your selected date, and you skip the regular queues at every stop—meaning you can actually ride the major attractions instead of choosing between them. Bag inspection happens at entry; large coolers and outside food aren't permitted.Is it for me?This pass is worth it if you want to experience the major attractions without spending half your day in queues—the express access is what makes fitting Harry Potter, the Studio Tour, King Kong and the shows into a single day actually possible.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 194View ›
San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip
San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip★★★★★★★★★★ 4.10 (1,197)7h 30mYou ride a narrated coach from downtown San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods, where you walk among 1,000-year-old redwoods for 90 minutes. After an hour in the village of Sausalito, you head to Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz Island, where you take a self-guided audio tour of the former federal penitentiary and spend as long as you want exploring. Entry to Muir Woods and the official Alcatraz admission with ferry are both included; you just need to pick up your Alcatraz ticket at the pier when you arrive.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see three of the Bay Area's main landmarks in a single day without renting a car or coordinating separate tickets and ferries — the coach handles the driving and the entry fees are bundled in, which is what makes the pace work.Likely to sell out-5%Kids −25%fromUS$ 152View ›
North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food & History
North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food & History★★★★★★★★★★ 4.83 (1,156)3hA three-hour walking tour of San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood led by a local guide, combining Italian food tastings with Beat Generation history and landmark sites like Saints Peter and Paul Church and Coit Tower. The tour includes samples from family-run institutions like Stella Pastry and Molinari Delicatessen (operating since 1896), plus cappuccino, cannoli, focaccia sandwiches, pizza, chocolate from Z. Cioccolato, and arancini—all food and non-alcoholic drinks included. Same-day reservations are available, and the route is wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to taste real North Beach food from family-run shops without spending the day researching which cafes and delis are worth your time—the guide handles the route, the stops are chosen for their history and quality, and all the tastings are included so you're not paying separately at each place.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 86View ›
Echo Park: Swan Boat Rental & Lotus Lake Pedal Experience
Echo Park: Swan Boat Rental & Lotus Lake Pedal Experience★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (1,133)1hYou’ll glide across Echo Park Lake in a roomy swan boat, pedaling past lotus beds and under shady canopies with city views all around. Bring your own snacks or drinks (just no alcohol) and enjoy gentle moments on the water—life vests are included for everyone’s peace of mind. It’s easygoing fun that sticks with you longer than you’d expect.Free cancellationTravelers' pickBest valuefromUS$ 13View ›
Napa Valley: Small Group Winery Tour & Picnic Lunch
Napa Valley: Small Group Winery Tour & Picnic Lunch★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (1,069)7hYou're picked up from your Napa hotel and driven to three backroads wineries with a local guide who shares wine and local history along the way. Lunch is a picnic at one of the wineries, included with the tour. Small groups (8-12 on the shuttle, max 4 per booking) mean the pace stays relaxed and the conversation stays real. Hotel drop-off ends the day where it started.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste wine in a relaxed setting without the tourist-circuit feel, and you'd rather have someone else drive while you focus on the wineries and the conversation—the small group size is what keeps the day from turning into a performance.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 151View ›
Whale Watching Tour from Oceanside: 50-ft Catamaran
Whale Watching Tour from Oceanside: 50-ft Catamaran★★★★★★★★★★ 4.66 (1,066)2hA 2-hour whale watching tour from Oceanside Harbor on a 50-ft luxury catamaran, led by a certified marine naturalist who provides live narration about the marine life you encounter. You arrive 45 minutes early at the ticket kiosk next to the Lighthouse, board the boat, and spend the cruise spotting dolphins and sea lions, with seasonal sightings of gray, blue, humpback, and fin whales depending on the time of year. A cash bar onboard offers snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and narrates live throughout the cruise, so you follow the sightings and the naturalist's insight in real time—a setup that works for families, couples, and anyone who wants expert commentary without needing to read captions or listen to a recording.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickKids −15%fromUS$ 64View ›
San Diego Little Italy: Food Tour with Tastings & Local Stories
San Diego Little Italy: Food Tour with Tastings & Local Stories★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (1,041)3h 30mYou’ll wander through lively streets with a local guide, tasting homemade arancini and sweet cannoli while hearing real family stories behind each dish. Expect laughter over hot bites and small surprises tucked between bustling patios and quiet piazzas. This is more than just eating—it’s feeling part of San Diego’s Little Italy for an afternoon.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfromUS$ 93View ›
Griffith Observatory Hike: Hollywood Sign & Mount Hollywood
Griffith Observatory Hike: Hollywood Sign & Mount Hollywood★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (1,039)2h 30mYou hike 3.5 miles through Griffith Park to Mount Hollywood, stopping for the Hollywood Sign at Tiffany Point and panoramic views of Downtown LA, Century City, and Silver Lake. The tour includes skip-the-line entry and an insider walk through the Griffith Observatory, with a certified guide who knows the park's history and filming locations. Free parking at the Greek Theatre and the whole experience takes 2.5 hours, so you're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Right for anyone with moderate fitness who wants the Hollywood Sign and Observatory without arranging transport, parking, or timing the entry lines themselves — the guide handles the route and the skip-the-line access removes the guesswork. Not suitable if you have poor cardiovascular health, a fear of heights, or cannot commit to arriving 15 minutes early.Free cancellationfromUS$ 34View ›
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