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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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San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay: VIP Early Access Tour
San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay: VIP Early Access Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.78 (9)1h 30mYou arrive before opening time for a private tour of Aquarium of the Bay with an expert educator, watching staff prepare 20,000+ animals for the day ahead. See sharks, rays, sea stars and river otters up close, learn about animal care projects, and finish with a training video—all before the public arrives. Groups run 3–25 people, making it intimate without being lonely.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Aquarium of the Bay without the morning crowds and learn how the place actually runs—the early access is what makes it possible to ask questions and watch staff work instead of just moving through with everyone else.Free cancellationKids −32%fromUS$ 62View ›
Lake Tahoe North Shore: Self-Guided Bike Rental & Lakeshore Path
Lake Tahoe North Shore: Self-Guided Bike Rental & Lakeshore Path★★★★★★★★★★ 4.78 (9)1h–12hYou rent a bike in Incline Village and spend the day riding Lake Tahoe's North Shore at your own pace, following the car-free Lakeshore path toward Sand Harbor and beyond. The rental includes a helmet, lock, and map; you choose how far to go and where to stop. It's suitable for all fitness levels, and the whole day is yours to use however you want.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to explore Lake Tahoe's North Shore without planning stops or timing — the full-day rental and car-free path mean you move at your own rhythm and decide where the day ends.Free cancellationfromUS$ 69View ›
Calaveras Highway 49: Self-Guided Audio Tour & Gold Rush Stops
Calaveras Highway 49: Self-Guided Audio Tour & Gold Rush Stops★★★★★★★★★★ 3.67 (9)2h 30m–3hYou’ll drive California’s Highway 49 at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour, hearing stories of Gold Rush dreamers and exploring Murphys’ main street, ancient sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and mysterious limestone caverns along Coyote Creek. Expect moments of surprise—from laughing underground to quiet awe beneath redwoods—that linger long after you’ve parked.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 14.99View ›
California Delta Wine Drive: Self-Guided Audio Tour & Stories
California Delta Wine Drive: Self-Guided Audio Tour & Stories★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (9)2h–3hYou’ll set your own pace on this California Delta wine country drive, guided by local stories and an easy-to-use audio app. Taste cider or wine where you want, wander historic riverside towns like Locke and Walnut Grove, and hear about floods, fires, and steamboat races as you go. With lifetime access and no schedule pressure, it’s a day you’ll remember long after heading home.Instant confirmation-10%from · per groupUS$ 10.79View ›
Santa Barbara Self-Guided Walking Tour & GPS Audio Highlights
Santa Barbara Self-Guided Walking Tour & GPS Audio Highlights★★★★★★★★★★ 4.44 (9)1h 15m–1h 30mThis is your chance to explore Santa Barbara’s downtown on your own schedule with a GPS audio walking tour. Hear local stories about historic landmarks, wander through the lively Funk Zone wine district, and finish at Stearns Wharf with ocean views—all while pausing or lingering wherever you like. Perfect if you want freedom plus insider insight.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 9.99View ›
Long Beach to Catalina Island: 18-Minute Helicopter Flight
Long Beach to Catalina Island: 18-Minute Helicopter Flight★★★★★★★★★★ 4.75 (8)20mYou arrive at Queen Mary Terminal, board a helicopter with up to six other passengers, and fly 18–20 minutes over the Pacific to Avalon on Catalina Island. The flight includes all fees and taxes; once you land, the island's restaurants, shops, and beaches are open to you. Bring original government-issued photo ID (required for all travelers 18+) and arrive early for weight-and-balance seating assignment.Is it for me?Book this if you're docking at Long Beach and want to reach Catalina without spending three hours on a ferry — the helicopter cuts the crossing to 20 minutes and the price is fixed upfront, so you know exactly what you're paying.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 216View ›
Los Angeles: Celebrity Homes Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Los Angeles: Celebrity Homes Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus★★★★★★★★★★ 4.25 (8)2hYou start with a guided two-hour tour of celebrity homes in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills, then get a hop-on hop-off bus pass covering 15 stops across Los Angeles — Hollywood Walk of Fame, Farmers Market, La Brea Tar Pits, LACMA, and more. Audio commentary in nine languages, real-time bus tracking via app, and the flexibility to use both parts on different days or upgrade to 48-hour unlimited access.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see where celebrities live without hiring a private car, then spend the rest of your day exploring Los Angeles on your own schedule — the combo saves you the cost of booking two separate experiences and the hassle of figuring out how to get between neighborhoods.Free cancellationfromUS$ 86View ›
La Jolla Pacific Beach E-Bike Tour: Coastal Ride Sea Lions
La Jolla Pacific Beach E-Bike Tour: Coastal Ride Sea Lions★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (8)2h 30mA 2.5-hour guided e-bike tour along San Diego's coast from La Jolla to Pacific Beach, with a live English-speaking guide. You ride past La Jolla Cove, the Children's Pool where harbor seals and sea lions gather, Windansea Beach and the city's most famous beginner surf break, ending at Pacific Beach Pier. The electric assist means you cover the coastal route without the strain of a traditional bike on steep terrain.Is it for me?The e-bike removes the strain of San Diego's coastal hills, so you cover the full route from La Jolla Cove to Pacific Beach without arriving exhausted — a real advantage if you're staying elsewhere in the city or don't have a car to reach the trailhead. The guide handles navigation and timing, which means you focus on the water, the wildlife and the breaks instead of plotting the route yourself.Free cancellationfromUS$ 99View ›
Taco Walking Tour Santa Barbara: 5 Taquerias Downtown
Taco Walking Tour Santa Barbara: 5 Taquerias Downtown★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (8)2h 30mA 2.5-hour taco walking tour through downtown Santa Barbara where you taste five curated tacos from family-owned taquerias while a guide shares the area's history and local food culture. The route covers 1.5 miles at a relaxed pace, and dinner plus drinks are included. Groups stay small and interactive, making it work for team building, date night or friends looking for something beyond the usual restaurant meal.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and delivers the tour in a relaxed, interactive format, so anyone who can walk 1.5 miles at an easy pace and wants to eat and learn at the same time will follow comfortably—no food tour experience needed.Free cancellationfromUS$ 159View ›
Yosemite Valley Winter Hiking Tour: Private, Customizable
Yosemite Valley Winter Hiking Tour: Private, Customizable★★★★★★★★★★ 4.75 (8)4h–6hA private winter hiking tour of Yosemite Valley with a professional guide who customizes the route and pace to your fitness level and interests. You choose between leisurely valley walks and moderate hikes to Yosemite Falls or Vernal Fall, with snowshoe gear and instruction included if snow is deep. The tour runs 4 to 6 hours and covers 4 to 8 miles across various valley locations; national park entrance fees may apply for international visitors.Is it for me?This tour suits small groups or families who want to explore Yosemite Valley on their own terms without building an itinerary from scratch. The private format and customizable route mean you're not locked into a fixed schedule or a predetermined pace—you hike what interests you, at the speed that works for your group, with a guide who adjusts as the day unfolds.Free cancellationfromUS$ 360View ›
Early Bird E-Bike Tour San Diego: Gaslamp Quarter & Embarcadero
Early Bird E-Bike Tour San Diego: Gaslamp Quarter & Embarcadero★★★★★★★★★★ 4.75 (8)2hThe Early Bird Guided E-Bike Tour is a two-hour electric bike ride through downtown San Diego led by a professional guide in English or Spanish. You'll start in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, ride out to the Embarcadero to see the USS Midway and Seaport Village, then loop back through Little Italy and Broadway. The tour includes the e-bike, helmet, bottled water and small snacks.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a guide leading the route through downtown neighborhoods and waterfront while you ride at the group's pace on an e-bike—best for covering more ground than walking allows without the effort of pedaling a regular bike.Free cancellationfromUS$ 119View ›
Private LA Limo Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Venice Beach
Private LA Limo Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Venice Beach★★★★★★★★★★ 4.50 (8)4h–6hYou’ll ride in style through LA’s most iconic neighborhoods—from star-studded Hollywood to lively Venice Beach—all at your own pace with friends or family. It’s flexible: stop where you want, bring your own drinks, and let a local show you hidden corners most folks miss.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 690View ›
Joshua Tree Architecture & Art Tour from Palm Springs: 4 hours
Joshua Tree Architecture & Art Tour from Palm Springs: 4 hours★★★★★★★★★★ 4.14 (7)3h–4hA private, guided four-hour tour departing from Joshua Tree town takes you through the high desert region to see iconic homes—the Doolittle House, Bonita domes, Futuro house—and art installations including Noah Purifoy Art Museum, Transmission, and Desert Christ Park. The guide provides context on the area's history and how Joshua Tree became a destination for architects and artists. Children from age 5 are welcome; live guide speaks English.Is it for me?The tour runs three to four hours with walking at each stop, so come ready to spend the afternoon on your feet and in the vehicle—this is how you see the full range of Joshua Tree's architecture and art in one outing, rather than trying to piece it together on your own.Free cancellationfromUS$ 99View ›
Coronado Island Self-Guided Audio Tour: History at Your Pace
Coronado Island Self-Guided Audio Tour: History at Your Pace★★★★★★★★★★ 4.43 (7)1h 30m–2hA self-guided audio walking tour of Coronado Island that takes 1.5 to 2 hours, covering the Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Beach, the Ice House Museum, and four other landmark stops. Download the app to your phone, start whenever you're ready, and pause or skip stops as you go. Audio available in English, Spanish, French, and German.Is it for me?Solo travelers and couples will appreciate the freedom to wander without a group schedule; families benefit from setting their own pace and taking breaks when children need them. If you want to explore Coronado's history on your own terms rather than follow a guide's itinerary, this tour gives you that control.Free cancellationfromUS$ 9.99View ›
Joshua Tree National Park private driving and hiking tour
Joshua Tree National Park private driving and hiking tour★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (7)4h–7hA private driving and hiking tour of Joshua Tree National Park with a live English-speaking guide and hotel pickup, spending 5 to 7 hours inside the park on paved roads, dirt roads and trails to understand the geology, plant life and human history shaped by two colliding deserts. The guide chooses the stops and the pace; you choose whether to hike each one or stay with the vehicle.Is it for me?If you're staying in the area without a car, pickup from your hotel means you don't have to arrange transport to the park entrance—the guide handles the drive and the route, so you arrive ready to learn instead of tired from navigating.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 650View ›
Doors-Off Helicopter Photography Flight Los Angeles: 60 Minutes
Doors-Off Helicopter Photography Flight Los Angeles: 60 Minutes★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (7)1hA private doors-off aerial photography helicopter flight departing Long Beach covers 60 minutes of Los Angeles coastline and landmarks—the Queen Mary, Vincent Thomas Bridge, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Sign, and Downtown LA—with live guide commentary and headsets included. Groups are limited to a maximum of 3 passengers, and a minimum of 2 people per booking is required. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.Is it for me?Book this if you want to shoot from an open door without the cabin glare that stops most aerial photography—the doors stay off the entire flight, and the guide times the passes over each landmark so you can frame your shots. The private booking means no strangers between you and the window, and the 60-minute route covers enough ground to get the Hollywood Sign, the coastline, and Downtown LA in one flight.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 265View ›
San Diego Waterfront: Electric Scooter Tour & Photos
San Diego Waterfront: Electric Scooter Tour & Photos★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (7)1h 30mYou ride electric scooters from Liberty Station through Spanish Landing Park and the Embarcadero, stopping at multiple waterfront parks and viewing the USS Midway from the water. Your guide shares local knowledge and takes professional photos at several locations, which are sent to you after the tour ends. The whole experience takes 2–3 hours and includes helmet, scooter, and backpack.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see San Diego's main waterfront attractions and parks in one morning without renting a car or spending hours on foot — the scooter covers the distance while the guide handles the history and photos.Free cancellationfromUS$ 75View ›
Lake Tahoe Helicopter Tour: Sand Harbor & East Shore
Lake Tahoe Helicopter Tour: Sand Harbor & East Shore★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (7)30mA 30-minute helicopter tour from Lake Tahoe Airport covers the east shoreline, Sand Harbor and four hidden beaches — Glenbrook Bay, Secret Harbor, Skunk Harbor and Chimney Beach — then climbs to Marlette Lake at 7,841 feet. You get live commentary through noise-reducing headsets and a fixed route that holds the whole flight in a single morning departure.Is it for me?The live guide speaks English, so you'll hear the commentary clearly through the headsets — book this if you want to understand what you're seeing as you fly. Weight limits are strictly enforced (250 pounds per person, 500 pounds combined), so confirm your group's weight at booking; anyone over 300 pounds cannot fly.Free cancellationLikely to sell outInfants freefromUS$ 347View ›
South Tahoe: Ski rental delivery with in-room fitting
South Tahoe: Ski rental delivery with in-room fitting★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (7)5dYou’ll skip crowded rental shops in South Tahoe and get fitted for skis or snowboards right at your hotel or condo. Local techs bring all the gear, answer questions, and handle adjustments—even slope-side if needed. With easy pickup at the end of your trip, you’ll spend more time on the mountain and less time waiting around—something you’ll remember long after you leave Tahoe.Free cancellationKids −35%fromUS$ 116View ›
Los Angeles Day Tour from Torrance & El Segundo with Guide
Los Angeles Day Tour from Torrance & El Segundo with Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.57 (7)7h–8hThis Los Angeles day tour covers all the essentials: snap photos at Griffith Observatory with views of the Hollywood Sign, stroll along Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame, window-shop in Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, and soak up Venice Beach’s lively boardwalk scene—all with hotel pickup from Torrance or El Segundo included.Free cancellationfromUS$ 122View ›
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