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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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Yosemite Falls & Half Dome hiking tour: 5-hour guided walk
Yosemite Falls & Half Dome hiking tour: 5-hour guided walk★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (14)5hA 5-hour guided hiking tour of Yosemite National Park starting from Yosemite Village, where a local naturalist leads you through Cooks Meadow to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Rock and North Dome while explaining the park's geology, indigenous history and natural forces that shaped it. The tour includes trekking poles, a kids scavenger hunt, and a vehicle reservation permit; park entrance fees ($35 per vehicle) are collected at the gate for U.S. visitors, and international visitors may owe an additional $100 fee at arrival.Is it for me?The tour meets at Yosemite Village, so if you're staying in the valley or can reach the village by shuttle, you don't need a car to join — the guide handles the walk from there. This settles the logistics for anyone without their own transport or unfamiliar with where to start inside the park.Free cancellationKids −22%fromUS$ 180View ›
Pacific Coast Highway drive: Audio guide, stops & trivia
Pacific Coast Highway drive: Audio guide, stops & trivia★★★★★★★★★★ 4.07 (14)4h–5hYou’ll cruise California’s Pacific Coast Highway with an audio guide that cues up stories and trivia as you drive. Stop wherever you want — from Malibu beaches to Santa Barbara piers — and explore at your own pace with no data needed after download. Expect small surprises, local voices, and maybe a new favorite roadside taco stand.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 11.99View ›
San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour: Financial District & Modern Design
San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour: Financial District & Modern Design★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (13)2h 30mYou walk through San Francisco's Financial District for 2.5 hours with a guide who knows the architects, the dates, and the stories behind the buildings. You get a printed guide with every building's address, name, and architect. You learn the urban planning that shaped the skyline and find the contemporary designs and hidden spaces that don't show up in other tours. The tour runs summer months only, starts at SFMOMA, and costs $40.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand why San Francisco's skyline looks the way it does and you'd rather not spend hours researching architects and dates on your own — the printed guide and the guide's knowledge do that work for you.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 40View ›
Yosemite Valley Tour from Oakhurst: 4-Hour Guided Highlights
Yosemite Valley Tour from Oakhurst: 4-Hour Guided Highlights★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (13)4hA 4-hour guided tour of Yosemite Valley departing at 6am from Oakhurst with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The route covers Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Bridge, El Capitan and the Merced River, plus Tunnel View and historic sites like Theodore Roosevelt's campsite. A local guide leads groups of up to 20 people; bottled water and a sports bottle are provided.Is it for me?The 4-hour window means you capture the valley's highlights in the soft morning light and still have the afternoon free—ideal if you want the iconic views without committing a full day, or if you're combining this with other activities in the region.Free cancellationKids −42%fromUS$ 130View ›
Death Valley Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour & GPS Map
Death Valley Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour & GPS Map★★★★★★★★★★ 4.67 (12)8h–16hYou download the tour to your phone before you leave, then drive Death Valley at your own pace while GPS-triggered audio commentary plays automatically at each stop. You'll visit Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Artist's Palette, and lesser-known spots like Devils Golf Course and Ubehebe Crater. The tour works offline, covers up to 220+ points of interest, and one purchase includes everyone in your vehicle. No guide, no set schedule, no cell service required once downloaded.Is it for me?Right for road-trippers who want to explore Death Valley without booking a guided tour or arranging a driver — you download once, drive at your own pace, and the audio commentary handles the storytelling and navigation so you can focus on the road and the views.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 19.99View ›
Santa Monica Venice Beach Tour: 3-Hour Guided Beach Loop
Santa Monica Venice Beach Tour: 3-Hour Guided Beach Loop★★★★★★★★★★ 4.83 (12)3hA 3-hour guided tour of Los Angeles beaches departing from the city, traveling by air-conditioned Mercedes van to Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals and Marina del Rey, with a professional guide narrating throughout. A minimum of two people per booking is required; tours run rain or shine, and the route is suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Three hours is tight enough to fit into a morning or early afternoon without eating your whole day, but long enough to cover all five stops—the Pier, the Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the Canals and Marina del Rey—without rushing through any of them.Free cancellationfromUS$ 149View ›
SFO to San Francisco: Private Airport Transfer & Meet-and-Greet
SFO to San Francisco: Private Airport Transfer & Meet-and-Greet★★★★★★★★★★ 4.33 (12)You get picked up on time without arranging a ride, tracking your flight, or waiting in a taxi queue. The driver handles your luggage, knows the area, and gets you to your San Francisco destination safely while you check email or rest. Curbside pickup is free; meet-and-greet inside baggage claim costs $45 extra.Is it for me?Book this if you land with luggage and want to skip the taxi queue and surge pricing—the fixed price and on-time guarantee mean you know exactly what you're paying and when you're leaving the airport, which is what makes the first hour of your trip stress-free.from · per groupUS$ 125View ›
San Francisco Cable Car Ticket & Audio Guided Tour
San Francisco Cable Car Ticket & Audio Guided Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 1.64 (11)1h–3hYou ride the cable car through five San Francisco neighborhoods with an audio guide on your phone that you can pause, skip, or rewind whenever you want. The ticket loads onto your Muni App, and you get access to stories, historical context, and secret details about each stop — Union Square, Chinatown, Nob Hill, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf — without a fixed schedule or group pace. Ideal if you want the cable car experience and the guided information without giving up control of your time.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the cable car experience and the guided context without being tied to a group schedule or a guide's pace — the app means you get the information whenever you're ready to hear it, and you can spend five minutes or an hour at any stop.Free cancellationInfants freeNewfromUS$ 23View ›
Death Valley Self-Guided Audio Tour: Badwater & Zabriskie Point
Death Valley Self-Guided Audio Tour: Badwater & Zabriskie Point★★★★★★★★★★ 4.64 (11)6h–8hYou download the app, load the tour offline, and explore Death Valley on your own schedule with GPS-triggered audio narration. The tour covers Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, sand dunes, colored mineral cliffs, and historic mining sites across multiple optional stops. You choose which hikes to do, which detours to take, and when to stop for photos or rest. The map and directions work completely offline once downloaded, and the tour never expires.Is it for me?Right for travelers with their own vehicle who want to explore Death Valley without joining a group or hiring a guide—the self-guided format means you control when you start, where you stop, and how long you linger, which is what makes it possible to catch sunrise at one viewpoint and sunset at another without being locked into a fixed itinerary.Free cancellation-10%from · per groupUS$ 14.39View ›
San Francisco: Golden Gate Seaplane Tour & Champagne
San Francisco: Golden Gate Seaplane Tour & Champagne★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (11)40mYou board a seaplane in Sausalito and fly over the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Marin Headlands while sipping champagne (or apple cider if under 21). The 40-minute flight covers the bay's main landmarks from the air, with a professional pilot who adjusts the route for weather. You land back in Sausalito with the rest of your evening free.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see San Francisco's landmarks from the air without arranging your own aircraft or timing a sunset yourself — the small group size and fixed flight duration mean you get the aerial view without the logistics.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 379View ›
San Francisco, Yosemite & 17-Mile Drive: 3-Day LA Tour
San Francisco, Yosemite & 17-Mile Drive: 3-Day LA Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 3.90 (10)3dYou leave Los Angeles early and drive north through the Central Valley to the Monterey Peninsula, stopping at the 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach before arriving in San Francisco. Day two covers the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, and Fisherman's Wharf with an optional 90-minute Bay cruise; you also see the Cathedral of Saint Mary, Civic Center Plaza, and Twin Peaks. Day three is a full day in Yosemite National Park among El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls before the drive back to LA. Hotels, breakfast, bilingual guide, and all transport are included; non-U.S. residents over 16 pay an additional $100 park surcharge on-site.Is it for me?Book this if you want California's three biggest draws—coast, city, and mountains—in one trip without arranging hotels, park tickets, or driving yourself; the fixed three-day loop is what makes it possible to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite's granite cliffs, and the 17-Mile Drive without backtracking.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 432View ›
Griffith Park e-bike tour: Wild backside and LA River views
Griffith Park e-bike tour: Wild backside and LA River views★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (10)3h–3h 20mAn electric bike tour of Griffith Park and the LA River starting from Atwater Village, led by a local guide who takes you past the Red Car Bridge, the abandoned zoo, Cathy's Corner and Bee Rock. The route covers remote terrain and historic stops—the 1926 carousel, the old zoo ruins, a 100-year-old avocado tree—and ends with sweeping views across the valley to the San Gabriel Mountains. Water and snacks are included; the ride takes about three hours.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to explore Griffith Park's remote side with a guide who knows the hidden stops—the old zoo, the avocado tree, the small forest—rather than the main attractions. The e-bike motor means you can ride for three hours without the climbing wearing you down, so the focus stays on the route and the views instead of the effort.Free cancellationfromUS$ 175View ›
Belmont Park San Diego: 13 Rides & Attractions Pass
Belmont Park San Diego: 13 Rides & Attractions Pass★★★★★★★★★★ 3.70 (10)1h–8hYou get unlimited access to 13 rides and attractions at Belmont Park, from the Giant Dipper coaster to mini golf and laser tag, all in one beachside location. The pass covers entry and all fees; you choose which rides to hit and when. Plan for a full afternoon or evening, since the park stays open late and you won't hit everything in three hours.Is it for me?Pick this pass if you want to spend an afternoon or evening at the beach trying multiple rides without buying individual tickets or worrying about what's included — one wristband covers everything except the zipline, and you move through the park at your own pace.Free cancellationfromUS$ 67View ›
San Francisco: Muir Woods & Hop-on Hop-off Bus with 15% Savings
San Francisco: Muir Woods & Hop-on Hop-off Bus with 15% Savings★★★★★★★★★★ 4.60 (10)2h–4hYou hike through old-growth redwoods in Muir Woods, then spend 24 hours hopping on and off a double-decker bus at 16 San Francisco stops, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and Golden Gate Park. The package includes a guided roundtrip to the forest, digital audio narration on the bus, and an optional Chinatown walking tour. Hotel shuttle service is available with advance notice, and you can split the two parts across separate days if you prefer.Is it for me?Choose this if you want both the redwoods and the city without arranging separate bookings — the 15% discount applies because you're combining two experiences, and the 24-hour bus pass means you're not rushed between stops.Free cancellationKids −21%fromUS$ 140View ›
San Diego: 1-Hour GPS Scooter Tour Harbor & Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego: 1-Hour GPS Scooter Tour Harbor & Gaslamp Quarter★★★★★★★★★★ 4.10 (10)1hYou ride a GPS-guided electric scooter through San Diego's downtown neighborhoods for one hour, starting in Little Italy and passing the USS Midway, Seaport Village, Petco Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter before looping toward Balboa Park. The app on your phone handles navigation, so you focus on the ride and the view. Helmet and orientation are included; you need to be 15 or older and bring photo ID and a credit card.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to cover San Diego's downtown neighborhoods in one hour without renting a car or joining a group tour — the GPS handles the route, and the scooter lets you move between neighborhoods fast enough to see them all.Free cancellationfromUS$ 63View ›
Los Angeles: 35-Minute Helicopter Tour Santa Monica & Malibu
Los Angeles: 35-Minute Helicopter Tour Santa Monica & Malibu★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (10)35mYou board a helicopter for a 35-minute flight that covers Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, the Getty Center, Hollywood Hills, Malibu, and the Marina in one arc. You don't drive, don't hike, don't spend the day arranging logistics—the pilot handles the route and the timing. Weather and federal flight restrictions can shift your date, but if that happens, you reschedule or get refunded. Bring ID and know your weight.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see LA's most famous landmarks and coastline in one flight without spending a full day driving between them—the 35 minutes covers what would take hours on the ground, and the helicopter does the work of getting you there.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 450View ›
Napa & Sonoma: Private Wine Tour & Castello di Amorosa Tasting
Napa & Sonoma: Private Wine Tour & Castello di Amorosa Tasting★★★★★★★★★★ 4.90 (10)6hYou get picked up from your hotel or rental, visit three wineries including a castle with a guided tour, stop for the iconic Napa Valley sign photo, and enjoy lunch at a winery with picnic grounds — all in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a driver who coordinates timing so you taste without rushing. The itinerary is yours to shape or theirs to plan, and the price is set before you leave.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste at multiple Napa wineries without driving yourself or coordinating separate reservations — the Sprinter and driver handle the route, timing, and logistics, which is what lets you focus on the wine and the valley instead of the schedule.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 1,049View ›
Old Town San Diego Ghost Hunt Paranormal Tour Tools
Old Town San Diego Ghost Hunt Paranormal Tour Tools★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (9)1h 30mA 90-minute paranormal investigation tour of Old Town San Diego combines ghost stories and hands-on investigation at Heritage Park, El Campo Santo Cemetery, and Whaley House Museum. You'll use paranormal investigation equipment to search for evidence yourself at locations where activity is documented. The tour includes exclusive access to Heritage Park—a privilege no other ghost tour holds—and covers about a mile on foot across three focused stops. Activity varies by night; the guide adjusts time spent at each location based on what the equipment and the environment register.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the investigation at a pace set by paranormal activity rather than a fixed schedule, so you're comfortable with a flexible timeline and genuinely interested in searching for evidence yourself rather than watching a performance.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 55View ›
Golden Gate Park Wildlife Walking Tour: Native Animals & History
Golden Gate Park Wildlife Walking Tour: Native Animals & History★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (9)1h 30mA 90-minute walking tour of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco that combines the park's rich history with a search for native wildlife. The guide leads you through the park at twilight, pointing out both historical details and the animals that live there. A live English-speaking guide is included, along with a free souvenir dye-cut animal sticker.Is it for me?Best for visitors new to the city or locals wanting a fresh angle on the park—the twilight timing and focus on native wildlife sets this apart from standard park tours that skip the animals altogether. Small groups keep the pace conversational and the guide's details audible.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 45View ›
San Diego Airport Transfer: Private Sedan & SUV Pickup
San Diego Airport Transfer: Private Sedan & SUV Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 3.67 (9)You provide your flight time and hotel address at booking; a professional driver picks you up from your San Diego accommodation in a private sedan or SUV before your scheduled time; you arrive at SAN airport relaxed and with luggage handled, no negotiation at the curb, no waiting for a shared shuttle to fill up.Is it for me?Choose this if you're traveling from a San Diego hotel and want to skip the taxi uncertainty and shuttle wait — a fixed pickup time and locked-in price mean you arrive at the airport on your own terms, not on someone else's schedule.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 48View ›
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