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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 Bay Sailing: Golden Gate Bridge & Alcatraz Cruise
San Francisco Bay Sailing: Golden Gate Bridge & Alcatraz Cruise★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (664)1h 30mYou board at Pier 39 and spend 90 minutes on a catamaran sailing past the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. Choose between a covered cabin with windows or open deck nets for the ride. The on-board bar serves drinks, audio guides are available in eight languages, and the boat is stable enough for all fitness levels. Bring a jacket and soft shoes; boarding involves a few stairs.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the water without arranging a private boat or spending hours on a guided tour — the fixed 1.5-hour window gets you the main views and back to the city in time for lunch or an afternoon elsewhere.Free cancellationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 65View ›
Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego: Walking Tour & Border Crossing
Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego: Walking Tour & Border Crossing★★★★★★★★★★ 4.75 (654)4h–5hYou walk from the border through downtown Tijuana with a local guide who shows you how the city actually works — the streets, the rhythm, where people eat. You get border-crossing help, lunch, a food tasting, and water. By the end, you know how to do it yourself next time.Is it for me?Book this if you want to learn how Tijuana actually works instead of just seeing the main street — the guide teaches you enough to navigate on your own next time, which is worth the day of walking.Free cancellationfromUS$ 73View ›
San Diego Sunset Sail: USS Midway & Bay Views
San Diego Sunset Sail: USS Midway & Bay Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (651)2hYou board at Sunroad Marina and sail within sight of the USS Midway and Maritime Museum as the sun sets over San Diego Bay. The captain positions the boat for views and photo opportunities while you sit on deck with blankets and cushions. The cruise includes an on-board bathroom and runs in light rain, departing at sunset with a small, shared group.Is it for me?Book this if you want San Diego's waterfront and military landmarks from the water without arranging your own boat — the fixed sunset departure and small group size mean you show up and the captain handles the rest.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 99View ›
Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour: Enter the Most Active Locations
Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour: Enter the Most Active Locations★★★★★★★★★★ 4.64 (645)1h 55mA 2-hour guided ghost tour in San Diego's Old Town and Gaslamp Quarter that enters four haunted locations: the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, a historic hotel with active rooms, Villa Montezuma, the Whaley House grounds, and El Campo Santo Cemetery. You disembark and walk through each site while a costumed storyteller delivers the documented history and the folklore behind the hauntings, with the option to bring a camera for the unexplained phenomena guests have captured there. The tour requires a minimum of eight people to run; if it doesn't meet that threshold, the operator calls 2–3 hours before departure to reschedule or refund you.Is it for me?You'll step inside the Gaslamp Museum, active hotel rooms, and Villa Montezuma—the only tour entering these locations where documented paranormal activity actually occurs.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 58View ›
Universal Studios Hollywood: VIP Express & Backlot Access
Universal Studios Hollywood: VIP Express & Backlot Access★★★★★★★★★★ 4.68 (643)1dYou skip every queue at Universal Studios Hollywood with unlimited express access to all rides, shows and attractions. A VIP guide escorts you through exclusive backlot sets closed to the public, then you explore the park freely. Lunch is served in a private dining room, valet parking is included, and you get a full day of admission. The express pass is what makes it possible to actually see everything instead of spending your day in line.Is it for me?Book this if you want to experience the main attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood without spending hours in queues — the express access and VIP guide handle the logistics so you're actually riding instead of waiting.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 360View ›
Avalon Private Golf Cart Tour: Local Guide, 2 Hours
Avalon Private Golf Cart Tour: Local Guide, 2 Hours★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (641)2hA private guided golf cart tour of Avalon on Catalina Island with a local guide in English or Spanish, covering Pebbly Beach, the Casino building, the pet cemetery, botanical gardens and lookout points over Bell Tower Road. Pickup is included; the tour runs 2 hours and is limited to one group per departure time.Is it for me?At 2 hours, this tour fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day on the island. Choose it if you want a local's perspective on where to go and why, rather than navigating Avalon on your own or joining a larger group.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 303View ›
San Diego Sunset Sailing: Catalina Sailboat & Drinks
San Diego Sunset Sailing: Catalina Sailboat & Drinks★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (638)3hYou sail for three hours from Point Loma on a small Catalina sailboat with up to five other passengers, passing the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, and Point Loma lighthouses as the sun drops. Beer, soft drinks and snacks are included, plus blankets and binoculars. Book all six seats to make it fully private, or confirm your departure time with the operator after purchase since it varies by season.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see San Diego's skyline and landmarks—the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, Point Loma lighthouses—from the water without arranging a guide or itinerary; the small group size and open ocean setting mean you get the views without the tour-group feeling.Free cancellationfromUS$ 127View ›
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Griffith Park Tour
Los Angeles: Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Griffith Park Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.90 (631)5hYou’ll wander from downtown LA’s historic core to Griffith Park’s sweeping views and walk among movie legends on Hollywood Boulevard. Your guide brings each stop alive before you break for lunch at the bustling Original Farmers Market — expect laughter, city sounds, maybe even a new favorite street food.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 89View ›
San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito Morning Tour Small Group
San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito Morning Tour Small Group★★★★★★★★★★ 4.57 (631)5hYou get picked up from your hotel and driven across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods, where you walk among the tallest trees in the world with a guide who explains how the forest actually works. After that, you're taken to Sausalito's waterfront for an hour to walk and rest. The whole thing takes four to five hours, includes park entry and transport, and keeps groups under fifteen people so it doesn't feel crowded.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, walk among giant redwoods, and end at a bay-view waterfront without arranging three separate trips—the fixed itinerary and included transport handle all of that, and the small group size means you're not following a crowd.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −43%fromUS$ 99View ›
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental & Self-Guided Tour
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental & Self-Guided Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.50 (620)1dYou pick up a bike at Fisherman's Wharf, choose your route from a map, and ride on your own schedule — no guide, no group, no fixed itinerary. The rental includes a helmet, lock, and gear; you can ride the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Sausalito, pedal through the Presidio, or head into Golden Gate Park. Ferry service from Sausalito or Tiburon lets you return by water if you want. You have 24 hours and a phone number if you need help.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see San Francisco's waterfront and the Golden Gate Bridge without joining a group or following a fixed schedule — the 24-hour window and phone support mean you set the pace and the route, and you're never stranded if something goes wrong.Free cancellationBest valuefromUS$ 20View ›
California Academy of Sciences: Aquarium, Planetarium & Rainforest
California Academy of Sciences: Aquarium, Planetarium & Rainforest★★★★★★★★★★ 4.22 (619)3h–5hYou get instant-access admission to four museums in one building: an aquarium with 60,000 animals including a record-breaking coral reef, a planetarium with included show reservations, a four-story rainforest dome, and natural history galleries. No separate ticket redemption — just scan at the entrance and start exploring. Plan for at least half a day to see everything without rushing.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see multiple world-class exhibits in one day without buying separate tickets or navigating different buildings — the instant-access entry and included planetarium passes mean you walk in and start exploring immediately, which is what makes four museums fit into a single visit.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −18%fromUS$ 49View ›
San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito with Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco: Muir Woods & Sausalito with Golden Gate Bridge★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (618)4h 30mYou ride across the Golden Gate Bridge in a guided mini-bus, spend 1.5 hours hiking among ancient redwoods at Muir Woods with entrance already covered, then drive through the town of Sausalito before finishing at Fisherman's Wharf with free time for lunch. The tour operates in all weather and suits most fitness levels, with wheelchair accessibility available if you notify the operator at booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Muir Woods without arranging your own transport or paying a separate entrance fee — the fixed itinerary and included ticket remove two decisions from your day, leaving you free to focus on the walk itself.Free cancellationKids −21%fromUS$ 84View ›
San Francisco: Castro LGBTQ Walking Tour & Local Stories
San Francisco: Castro LGBTQ Walking Tour & Local Stories★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (612)2hYou’ll walk San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood with a local guide who knows every story behind the rainbow flags. Hear about Harvey Milk at his original camera shop, learn how the rainbow flag was created, and visit over 20 historic LGBTQ sites. Expect real conversation, laughter, and moments that might stick with you long after you leave.Instant confirmationInfants freefromUS$ 40View ›
San Diego: La Jolla, Coronado & Balboa Park 4-Hour Tour
San Diego: La Jolla, Coronado & Balboa Park 4-Hour Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (609)4hYou get picked up and driven through six of San Diego's main neighborhoods—La Jolla, Mt. Soledad, Coronado, Old Town, Balboa Park, and Downtown—in a single 4-hour loop with a local guide and small group. No driving yourself, no ticket lines, no guessing which stops matter. The fixed schedule is what makes it work: everything fits because the timing is already planned.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see San Diego's main neighborhoods in one morning or afternoon without arranging your own transport or deciding which stops matter—the 4-hour window and small-group format mean you move at a real pace instead of rushing.Free cancellationKids −18%fromUS$ 92View ›
Hollywood & Beverly Hills: Small Group Tour with Close-Up Sign Views
Hollywood & Beverly Hills: Small Group Tour with Close-Up Sign Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.72 (605)3hYou’ll walk where legends have walked on Hollywood Boulevard, get rare close-up views of the Hollywood Sign with your small group, cruise past celebrity homes in Beverly Hills, and hear local stories that stick with you long after. Expect laughter, surprises, air conditioning (trust me), bottled water, and plenty of chances for photos you’ll actually want to keep.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-5%fromUS$ 52View ›
Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Tour with Funk Zone & Mission
Santa Barbara: Electric Bike Tour with Funk Zone & Mission★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (601)2h 30mYou’ll cruise Santa Barbara’s waterfront by electric bike, wander through Montecito’s leafy streets, check out murals in the Funk Zone, and pause at historic sites like Old Mission Santa Barbara—all led by a local guide who keeps things easygoing. Expect ocean air, unexpected laughs, and plenty of chances to see the city from new angles.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfromUS$ 85View ›
Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour: 3-Hour Narrated Trip
Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour: 3-Hour Narrated Trip★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (597)3hA three-hour whale watching tour on Monterey Bay with a live English-speaking captain who narrates the trip through the sanctuary and surrounding waters. The boats range from 53 to 70 feet, all USCG inspected with indoor seating and onboard restrooms. Parking is available at 201 Washington Street.Is it for me?The experienced captains and three-hour narrated format mean you're not just watching whales—you're learning what you're seeing as it happens, which is what separates this from a simple boat ride.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −32%fromUS$ 62View ›
Joshua Tree: Scenic Hummer Tour & Ancient Rock Walks
Joshua Tree: Scenic Hummer Tour & Ancient Rock Walks★★★★★★★★★★ 4.73 (582)3h–5hYou’ll ride through Joshua Tree in an air-conditioned Hummer or van with a local guide who knows every story behind those wild rock formations. See ancient petroglyphs on a short walk, watch climbers tackle giant boulders, and catch views stretching all the way to Mexico if you’re lucky with the weather. This day trip leaves you with more than just photos—it sticks with you.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-20%fromUS$ 127View ›
Tijuana Day Trip: Arch, Culture & Street Food Tour
Tijuana Day Trip: Arch, Culture & Street Food Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.66 (580)6hA six-hour guided walking tour from San Diego takes you across the US-Mexico border into Tijuana, where you explore the Tijuana Arch, the Cultural Center's spherical IMAX theater, and Avenida Revolución's shops and street vendors. Your local guide handles the border crossing, orients you to local customs, and leads you through the city's cultural landmarks. Lunch and food tastings are included; the tour operates in English or Spanish, and children from age 2 are welcome with an adult.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a structured introduction to Tijuana with a local guide managing the border crossing and the day's pace—the six-hour format keeps the experience focused on the city's main cultural landmarks without requiring you to navigate the crossing or plan stops yourself. It's built for small groups, so you'll move through the sites with other travelers rather than as a private party.Free cancellationfromUS$ 93View ›
Long Beach: Whale Watching Cruise with Aquarium Guides
Long Beach: Whale Watching Cruise with Aquarium Guides★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (575)2h–2h 30mYou’ll set out from Long Beach past historic ships and into open Pacific waters with expert guides from the Aquarium of the Pacific. Watch for whales, dolphins, sea lions—even rare birds—while enjoying comfortable seating inside or out. The thrill of spotting your first spout or dolphin pod is unforgettable; you might even find yourself grinning at strangers or tearing up at something wild and unexpected.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −21%fromUS$ 38View ›
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