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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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Santa Barbara Ghost Tour: Haunted Courthouse & Historic Sites
Santa Barbara Ghost Tour: Haunted Courthouse & Historic Sites★★★★★★★★★★ 3.89 (47)1hA guided ghost tour of Santa Barbara led by a live, experienced guide covers the County Courthouse, historic theatres, and downtown landmarks tied to documented hauntings and unexplained encounters. The tour lasts about an hour and visits sites where spirits are said to remain active—from a former safe house owner at the courthouse to dancers still visible outside City Hall.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to hear local stories about Santa Barbara's most active haunted sites from someone who knows the history and the reported encounters firsthand. The guide's experience and access to firsthand accounts—sometimes from witnesses or the guide's own experiences—sets this apart from a self-guided walk through the same streets.Free cancellationfromUS$ 26View ›
Hollywood: Celebrity Homes & Beverly Hills Open-Air Bus Tour
Hollywood: Celebrity Homes & Beverly Hills Open-Air Bus Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 3.51 (35)2hYou board on the Walk of Fame and spend the day on an open-air bus passing 40+ celebrity homes, film locations, and famous sites across Hollywood, the Hills, and Beverly Hills. The route includes Mulholland Drive with multiple Hollywood Sign views, a photo stop at the Beverly Hills sign, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip, and neighborhoods from "Selling Sunset." A local guide narrates throughout, and you return to where you started by late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Hollywood and Beverly Hills sights in one day without renting a car or figuring out which streets to drive — the open-air bus and the guide's narration are what turn a list of locations into a story about how the city actually works.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 34View ›
Hearst Castle & Paso Robles Wine Tour: Private Day Trip
Hearst Castle & Paso Robles Wine Tour: Private Day Trip★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (34)8h 45mYou get picked up from your Paso Robles accommodation, driven over the mountains to Hearst Castle for a guided Grand Rooms Tour, stop at the Elephant Seal Rookery on the coast, choose where to have lunch (coast, small town, or vineyard), then visit a winery on the West Side before returning by evening. Hearst Castle entry and the guide's knowledge are included; lunch and winery tastings are separate.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main sights of the Central Coast — castle, seals, wine — without arranging the drive, tickets, and timing yourself. The private vehicle and guide handle all the logistics and decisions, which is what makes a full day possible without stress.Instant confirmationfrom · per groupUS$ 1,075View ›
malibu tandem paragliding with instructor safe booking
malibu tandem paragliding with instructor safe booking★★★★★★★★★★ 3.94 (33)1hYou’ll fly tandem with an expert instructor above Malibu’s coastline, taking off from one of several mountain launch sites for the best conditions that day. After a quick safety briefing and gear check, you’ll soar quietly over hills and ocean before landing softly back on solid ground—an experience you’ll remember every time you see the California sky.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 320View ›
LAX Airport Transfer from LA Hotels | Direct Curb Drop-Off
LAX Airport Transfer from LA Hotels | Direct Curb Drop-Off★★★★★★★★★★ 3.91 (32)1hYou're picked up from your LA hotel and driven directly to your LAX terminal curb in a private sedan with a professional driver. No Green Bus transfer, no extra shuttle, no guessing which line to join. Includes meet-and-greet service, all taxes and fuel surcharges. Available 24/7 from most central and west LA neighborhoods.Is it for me?Book this if you want to avoid the LAX Green Bus line and the uncertainty of rideshare timing — the fixed pickup and direct terminal drop-off are what let you arrive calm instead of rushed.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 39View ›
San Francisco: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour
San Francisco: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 3.84 (32)2hYou get two full days of unlimited bus access across San Francisco's main neighborhoods, with the freedom to hop off and back on whenever you want. The multilingual audio guide and live tracking app mean you're never lost or waiting blind for the next bus. A bonus night tour is included, letting you see the city lit up. Bring comfortable shoes and plan which neighborhoods matter most to you—two days goes fast once you start exploring.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to cover San Francisco's main neighborhoods without a fixed itinerary or the hassle of learning the public transit system—the two-day pass and live tracking app mean you move at your own speed and never wonder when the next bus arrives.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 95View ›
San Francisco Airport SFO: Round-Trip Transfer 24/7
San Francisco Airport SFO: Round-Trip Transfer 24/7★★★★★★★★★★ 3.32 (31)30m–1h 30mYou book a round-trip transfer from SFO to your San Francisco hotel with a professional driver who tracks your flight and meets you at arrivals. The service includes a 60-minute pickup window at the airport, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a fixed price with no hidden fees. You'll receive driver contact info 48 hours before and the meeting point 24 hours before, so you know exactly where to go when you land.Is it for me?Book this if you're traveling to or from SFO and want to skip the taxi line and rideshare surge pricing — a fixed-price driver who knows your flight number and meets you at arrivals removes the uncertainty from getting to your hotel.Free cancellationfromUS$ 63View ›
LAX to Los Angeles Hotels: Private Pickup at Terminal Curb
LAX to Los Angeles Hotels: Private Pickup at Terminal Curb★★★★★★★★★★ 3.48 (31)45m–1hYou get picked up at baggage claim instead of hunting for a taxi, driven in a private sedan to your LA hotel, and charged one fixed price that includes all taxes and fuel. No waiting for a shared ride, no surge pricing, no negotiating at the curb — just a driver holding your name and a direct route to where you're staying.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi line and rideshare app entirely — the driver meets you at baggage claim, the price is fixed before you land, and you go straight to your hotel without arranging anything else.Free cancellationfromUS$ 39View ›
Alcatraz & San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Alcatraz & San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 3.94 (31)2h–3hYou board a ferry to Alcatraz Island, take a 45-minute audio tour through the historic Cellhouse prison, and explore the island's exhibits at your own pace for at least three hours total. Back on shore, you get all-day access to an open-top hop-on hop-off bus that stops at Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf, and other neighborhoods, with a guide on board. Your Alcatraz departure time is assigned after booking.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see Alcatraz without the stress of hunting for sold-out tickets and the city without planning each neighborhood separately — the assigned ferry time and all-day bus access mean you're not juggling logistics while you're trying to enjoy the day.fromUS$ 178View ›
San Francisco: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bridge★★★★★★★★★★ 3.59 (29)2dYou board an open-top double-decker bus and ride it across San Francisco for 48 hours, hopping off and on at stops that include the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, and downtown neighborhoods. The pass includes WiFi, a live English-language guide, and access to an audio app in multiple languages. You control the pace — stay at a stop as long as you want, then catch the next bus. The route runs daily from 10:15 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last bus leaving at 4:00 PM.Is it for me?Right for first-time visitors who want to see the main San Francisco landmarks without planning transport between them — the two-day pass and open-top format let you set your own pace across the city's neighborhoods and bridges.Free cancellationKids −38%fromUS$ 5View ›
San Diego Airport Transfer: Private Sedan & SUV to Hotels
San Diego Airport Transfer: Private Sedan & SUV to Hotels★★★★★★★★★★ 3.88 (26)You get picked up at San Diego Airport with your flight tracked in advance, driven directly to your hotel in a private sedan or SUV, and arrive with your luggage and your dignity intact. No waiting for shared shuttles, no negotiating with taxi drivers, no stress about directions. One hour of waiting time is included if your flight runs late, and the price is fixed before you book.Is it for me?Book this if you land with luggage and want to skip the taxi line and shuttle wait—a fixed-price driver waiting at arrivals means you go straight to your hotel without negotiating fares or timing a shared van.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 48View ›
Golden Gate Park: Surrey Bike Rental for 2 or 4
Golden Gate Park: Surrey Bike Rental for 2 or 4★★★★★★★★★★ 3.42 (24)1hYou pick up a Surrey bike anytime during operating hours and navigate Golden Gate Park's gardens, museums, and lakeside paths at your own pace using the included map. The bike seats two or four, comes with a helmet and lock, and lets you skip the typical walking-tour crowds by exploring on your own schedule and stopping whenever something catches your eye.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to cover more of Golden Gate Park than walking allows, but without the structure or pace of a guided tour—the rental and the map let you set the speed and choose which gardens and museums to stop at.Free cancellationfromUS$ 35View ›
San Francisco Sunset Cruise: Golden Gate & Bay Bridge at Night
San Francisco Sunset Cruise: Golden Gate & Bay Bridge at Night★★★★★★★★★★ 3.68 (22)1h 30mYou board at Pier 39 and spend 90 minutes on the water as San Francisco's skyline lights up. The cruise passes the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the Bay Bridge's LED installation, with chances to see sea lions and dolphins. Inside and outside seating, onboard snacks, and skip-the-line entry are included; the boat is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels. Book a sunset departure to see the city transition from day to night from the best vantage point on the bay.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see San Francisco's transition from day to night without arranging your own boat or timing the light yourself—the fixed 90-minute window is what fits the whole sequence into one departure.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 39View ›
Yosemite Day Hike from Glacier Point: Panorama Trail & Mist Trail
Yosemite Day Hike from Glacier Point: Panorama Trail & Mist Trail★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (19)9h 30mA full-day guided hike in Yosemite National Park descends 8.5 miles from Glacier Point to the valley floor via the Panorama Trail and Mist Trail, passing Illilouette Fall, Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall while taking in views of Half Dome and the surrounding peaks. A professional guide leads groups of up to six hikers, and a shuttle carries you to the trailhead and back to Yosemite Lodge at the end. The hike operates May through October and requires moderate-to-strenuous fitness; you bring your own food and water.Is it for me?The 9.5-hour day and 3,000-foot descent demand steady hiking fitness and comfortable legs—this suits hikers who can sustain a moderate pace downhill and don't need hotel pickup or meals arranged. If you're recovering from a spinal injury, pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns, a different Yosemite tour may be a better fit.Free cancellationfromUS$ 400View ›
Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting: Three wineries, private van
Santa Ynez Valley wine tasting: Three wineries, private van★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (14)5h 30mA private full-day wine tour of Santa Ynez Valley visits three wineries of your choice, with standard tasting flights at each, a gourmet boxed lunch at one winery, and transportation in a dedicated van with a professional driver. Pickup and drop-off are included from Santa Ynez Valley area hotels. Minimum age is 21.Is it for me?At five and a half hours, this tour leaves your morning or late afternoon free—book it for a full wine-country day without the logistics of coordinating rides or reservations yourself.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 649View ›
San Francisco: Gregangelo Museum Art Garden Tour & Riddles
San Francisco: Gregangelo Museum Art Garden Tour & Riddles★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (13)1h 30mYou move through three artist-designed botanical gardens at San Francisco's Gregangelo Museum, each one built around a riddle that prompts reflection and conversation. The private tour includes a digital storybook to guide you, works for all ages and fitness levels, and takes a full afternoon. It's strange in the best way, and you'll probably still be thinking about the questions it raised when you leave.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants something genuinely different from a standard museum visit — couples looking for conversation starters, families with kids of mixed ages, or solo travelers who like being prompted to think. The private format and self-paced structure mean you're not rushed or crowded, which is what makes the whole strange, reflective thing actually work.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 127View ›
Private Tuolumne Meadows Hiking Tour: Lembert Dome & Dog Lake
Private Tuolumne Meadows Hiking Tour: Lembert Dome & Dog Lake★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (8)8hA private, full-day hiking tour of Tuolumne Meadows with a guide who customizes the route based on your fitness and interests. You'll hike to Lembert Dome and Dog Lake at 9,170 feet, visit Soda Springs, and explore the Tuolumne River valley; the guide provides instruction on geology and natural history, and can adjust the itinerary toward easier sightseeing or longer, more strenuous hikes like Gaylor Lakes or Cathedral Lakes if weather and seasonal access allow. Bring your own lunch, snacks and water bottles; the guide carries first aid, water purification, sunscreen and bug repellent.Is it for me?This is a private tour, so the guide works with you alone or your group to build the day around your pace and interests—choose it if you want to hike at your own speed and decide between easy sightseeing and a longer, more strenuous route once you're there and know how you feel.Free cancellationfromUS$ 360View ›
Cathedral Range hiking tour Yosemite: 8 hours, private guide
Cathedral Range hiking tour Yosemite: 8 hours, private guide★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (7)8hThis is a private guided hiking tour of Yosemite National Park's Cathedral Range, a high-elevation alpine zone around 10,000 feet where you hike granite terrain, pass through meadows and lakeside stretches, and can opt for a side trail up Cathedral Peak. The tour runs eight hours with a professional English-speaking guide, Yosemite entry documentation, and trekking poles available on request; you bring your own lunch and arrange your own transportation to the trailhead.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're hiking solo or with a partner and want the Cathedral Range without a group—the private guide sets the pace to your fitness level and can adjust the route to include or skip Cathedral Peak depending on how you're feeling at altitude.Free cancellationfromUS$ 400View ›
San Diego to Valle de Guadalupe: Private Wine Tour & Dinner
San Diego to Valle de Guadalupe: Private Wine Tour & Dinner★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (3)10hYou get picked up early for coastal brunch, cross the border in twenty minutes without waiting, taste wine at two vineyards you don't have to choose, and if you're three or more, a fine dining dinner is already paid for. The driver handles the route and the timing, so you show up and the day happens.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste Valle de Guadalupe wine without arranging the border crossing, finding vineyards, or figuring out where to eat—the private driver and fixed itinerary handle all three, which is what makes a full day trip possible from San Diego without stress.Instant confirmationfromUS$ 1,059View ›
SFO to Carmel-by-The-Sea: Private Limousine Transfer
SFO to Carmel-by-The-Sea: Private Limousine Transfer★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (2)1h–2hYou get picked up by name at SFO arrivals with luggage help and real-time flight tracking, then ride in a private car to Carmel-by-The-Sea without negotiating a fare or sharing space with other passengers. Bottled water is included, and the driver handles the two-hour route so you can decompress or work during the drive.Is it for me?Right choice if you land at SFO with luggage and want to reach Carmel without arranging a taxi or sharing a shuttle — the driver waits at arrivals and the price is locked in, so the transfer stops being a negotiation and starts being a ride.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 490View ›
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