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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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Catalina Island Zip Line: 5 Lines, 1,100 Feet & Canyon Views
Catalina Island Zip Line: 5 Lines, 1,100 Feet & Canyon Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (384)2hYou'll zip across five lines in Descanso Canyon, dropping from 600 feet and hitting speeds near 40 mph, with trained guides managing all equipment and transitions. The tour takes two hours total, includes a safety briefing and liability waiver at check-in, and covers close to three-quarters of a mile across the canyon. You'll need closed-toe shoes, long pants, and to meet height (55"+) and weight (80–240 lbs) requirements — the guides check both at arrival.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline of a long zip line without arranging your own transport or safety gear — the guides handle the equipment and the transitions, so you just clip in and move. The two-hour format fits a half-day itinerary, and the fixed schedule means you know exactly when you'll be done.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 156View ›
Escape Room in Torrance: 60 Minutes, 6 Games
Escape Room in Torrance: 60 Minutes, 6 Games★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (382)1h 15mThe Escape Game Torrance offers six original escape rooms at Del Amo Fashion Center, each holding up to 8 players (12 in Playground), where your team works together to solve puzzles, find clues and complete a mission in 60 minutes with a live guide. Games range from Gold Rush and Prison Break to Cosmic Crisis and Timeliner: Train Through Time, each with multiple rooms and a different storyline. The guide helps as needed and stays present throughout.Is it for me?Pick this if your group wants to solve puzzles together in a physical space with a guide who knows the game and can nudge you toward the next clue—the 60-minute timer and the live support make it work for first-timers and experienced players alike. If you want to play solo or need a game that runs longer than an hour, look for a different escape room format.Free cancellationfromUS$ 43View ›
Monterey Bay Whale Watching from Moss Landing
Monterey Bay Whale Watching from Moss Landing★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (381)2h–3hYou board at Moss Landing, skip the longer Monterey wharf commute, and head straight to the canyon where marine life congregates. A marine biologist narrates what you're seeing as the boat circles humpbacks, grays, blues, and orcas. The guarantee of year-round sightings and premium upper deck seating mean you're not gambling on weather or luck. You return after three to four hours with restroom access and free parking included.Is it for me?Book this if you want guaranteed whale sightings without arranging your own boat or timing — the canyon location and year-round marine life mean you're not betting on migration season or luck, and the marine biologist guide tells you what you're actually looking at.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −27%fromUS$ 70View ›
San Francisco: Painted Ladies & Sonoma Wine Tour in VW Bus
San Francisco: Painted Ladies & Sonoma Wine Tour in VW Bus★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (380)7h–8hYou ride in a Vintage VW bus from San Francisco through Sonoma Valley, stopping at three award-winning wineries, tasting wine in a 23,000 sq ft cave, and eating lunch at an Italian property with vineyard views. Golden Gate Bridge mimosa, professional guide, and all tastings included. Departs Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf at 9am; plan for a full day out.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to taste wine in Sonoma without arranging your own transport or navigating three different wineries—the fixed schedule and included lunch mean you show up at pickup and the rest is handled. The Vintage VW bus is part of the experience, not just the ride, and the wine cave is the kind of detail that makes it worth the full day out.Free cancellationfromUS$ 139View ›
La Jolla: Sea Cave Kayak Tour & 7 Caves with Guide
La Jolla: Sea Cave Kayak Tour & 7 Caves with Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.41 (378)2hYou paddle a tandem kayak through La Jolla's seven sea caves with a professional guide who reads the ocean conditions and decides which caves are safe to enter that day. The tour includes all equipment, instruction, and ninety minutes of wildlife spotting in the Ecological Reserve. Arrive thirty minutes early, wear quick-dry clothes, and book on Viator — the listing shows one person but the kayak holds two.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see La Jolla's sea caves and marine life without arranging your own boat, route planning, or safety decisions — the guide handles which caves are safe to enter based on the day's conditions, which is what keeps the tour running year-round.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 75View ›
San Diego Bay: Champagne Brunch Cruise with Buffet & Views
San Diego Bay: Champagne Brunch Cruise with Buffet & Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.51 (375)2hYou’ll float past downtown San Diego and under Coronado Bridge while sipping bottomless mimosas on this two-hour brunch cruise. Enjoy live music, a full buffet (with vegetarian options), and relaxed indoor seating as friendly crew keep your glass filled. There’s something about seeing Cabrillo National Monument from the water that sticks with you long after you’re back on land.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −29%fromUS$ 126View ›
Alcatraz Island audio tour from San Francisco with ferry
Alcatraz Island audio tour from San Francisco with ferry★★★★★★★★★★ 4.53 (373)2h–4hAn Alcatraz Island audio tour from San Francisco includes your ferry ticket both ways and a self-guided headset that walks you through the prison building at your own pace. The audio tour typically takes 2 to 3 hours, and you can explore the island or catch an earlier ferry back whenever you're ready. You'll choose one add-on at checkout: a guided bus tour across the Golden Gate Bridge, a 40-minute bike rental, or a 1-hour bay cruise that shows you the bridge and Alcatraz from the water.Is it for me?Skip the ticket line and explore Alcatraz at your own pace with a prepaid ferry ticket and self-guided audio tour—you control how long you spend on the island.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 86View ›
San Diego: 3-Hour Whale Watch Cruise & Gray Whales
San Diego: 3-Hour Whale Watch Cruise & Gray Whales★★★★★★★★★★ 4.54 (371)3hYou board at Mission Bay and cruise past San Diego's entire coastline—from Dog Beach to La Jolla to Sunset Cliffs—while a certified naturalist explains the gray whales, dolphins, and sea lions you're actually seeing. The 80-foot Legacy gets you to open water fast, and the three-hour window keeps the pace tight without feeling rushed. Parking is free, seating is flexible, and you leave with a real sense of what lives in these waters.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see whales without arranging your own boat or spending the day on the water—the three-hour window and certified naturalists mean you get real sightings and real explanations without the logistics.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 34View ›
San Francisco: CityPASS® 4-Attraction Ticket & Bay Cruise
San Francisco: CityPASS® 4-Attraction Ticket & Bay Cruise★★★★★★★★★★ 4.51 (367)9dYou’ll skip planning headaches and jump straight into San Francisco’s best spots with CityPASS®. Glide past Alcatraz on a breezy bay cruise, get hands-on at museums like SFMOMA or the Exploratorium, and enjoy real flexibility—pick your favorites as you go. Expect easy mobile tickets, friendly staff, and maybe even a few unexpected laughs along the way.Instant confirmationKids −22%fromUS$ 90View ›
Hollywood: Medieval Torture Museum Ticket & Ghost Hunt
Hollywood: Medieval Torture Museum Ticket & Ghost Hunt★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (365)45m–1h 30mYou’ll step off busy Hollywood Boulevard straight into centuries of dark history at the Medieval Torture Museum. Explore at your own pace with an audio guide (English or Spanish), see chilling wax figures and devices up close, and try out a ghost hunting app if you’re feeling brave. It’s strange, fascinating, and might linger with you longer than you’d think.Free cancellationfromUS$ 32View ›
San Diego Bay: Vintage Yacht Sail with Beer & Wine
San Diego Bay: Vintage Yacht Sail with Beer & Wine★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (361)2h 30mYou’ll join Captain Phil aboard his vintage yacht for an easygoing sail across San Diego Bay, with craft beer or white wine in hand as city landmarks drift by. Expect stories about local history, small group laughs, and time to just breathe in the sea air—plus all drinks and snacks included.Free cancellationfromUS$ 125View ›
Griffith Observatory: Insider Tour & Planetarium Show
Griffith Observatory: Insider Tour & Planetarium Show★★★★★★★★★★ 4.61 (360)1h 30mYou'll spend the morning moving through Griffith Observatory's exhibits with a former staff member who knows the building's hidden angles and the science behind them. You get entry to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium show, a curated path through the Tesla Coil and Foucault Pendulum, views of the Hollywood Sign from the property, and a photo with the Einstein statue. Meet your guide at the Astronomers Monument on the front lawn to start.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand Griffith Observatory as more than a landmark — the insider perspective and planetarium show are what turn a visit into an actual experience, and the small-group format means you're not competing for the guide's attention.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 56View ›
San Francisco Bay: Champagne Brunch Cruise with Buffet
San Francisco Bay: Champagne Brunch Cruise with Buffet★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (359)2hYou’ll sip champagne while sailing past San Francisco icons like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge on this brunch cruise. Enjoy a buffet loaded with breakfast classics and lunch favorites, plus live music and relaxed vibes throughout your two-hour journey. It’s an easy way to see another side of the city—one you might remember every time you spot those bridges again.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −18%fromUS$ 122View ›
Sonoma Wine Country Electric Trike Tour: 3 Hours
Sonoma Wine Country Electric Trike Tour: 3 Hours★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (358)3hA 3-hour guided electric trike tour of Sonoma wine country where you ride your own vehicle through vineyards, historic sites and local wineries. The tour includes a certified guide, snacks, and stops at General Vallejo Home, Mission San Francisco Solano, a winery for optional tastings, and a historic cheese factory. Children 5 and up can ride as passengers; you must be 18 or older to drive. Two-person minimum per booking; tours require 4 people and may be canceled if that threshold isn't met.Is it for me?Book the daytime tour if you want to walk inside the historic sites and the mission; choose the Sunset Tour if you prefer riding through wine country in late-day light and don't need interior access to the buildings, since those close after hours and you'll experience them from outside with your guide's narration instead.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −43%fromUS$ 175View ›
Avalon scenic bus tour: Historic streets narrated
Avalon scenic bus tour: Historic streets narrated★★★★★★★★★★ 4.62 (357)50mA 50-minute open-air bus tour of Avalon departs from Island Tour Plaza and circles the town's historic buildings and attractions with live driver narration in English. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels. The route is set, so you step on and listen instead of deciding where to go.Is it for me?This tour works well for small groups or families who want to see Avalon's layout and history without walking the streets themselves. The fixed route and live narration mean you get the town's story in one sitting, which suits travelers with limited time or mobility constraints.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickBest valuefromUS$ 31View ›
San Diego Bay: Glow Pedal Boat Rental at Night
San Diego Bay: Glow Pedal Boat Rental at Night★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (354)1hYou arrive early, get fitted with a life jacket and shown how to operate the boat, then pedal out into America's Cup Harbor for 15 minutes. You spend 30 minutes drifting or exploring with the Downtown skyline in view, your own music playing through the Bluetooth speaker, and neon glow underneath the boat. The ride back takes another 15 minutes. Blankets are available, dogs are welcome, and the whole thing is private to your group.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private boat experience on San Diego Bay without a guide talking the whole time — you control the pace, the music, and how long you drift, which is what makes it work for couples looking for something low-key or families wanting to move at their own speed.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 99View ›
San Diego Catamaran Sail: 2.5-Hour Small-Group Harbor Cruise
San Diego Catamaran Sail: 2.5-Hour Small-Group Harbor Cruise★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (353)2h 30mA 2.5-hour catamaran sail around San Diego Harbor on a modern, stable boat designed for comfort, with your choice of daytime or sunset departure. Small-group trips mean no crowded decks; the crew shuts off the engine to let you experience the sail itself, and marine life sightings—sea lions, seabirds, dolphins—are common. Beer, wine, soft drinks and water are included; you can bring your own food and beverages if you prefer.Is it for me?Book the daytime sail if you want to see the harbor in full light and spot marine life actively; choose the sunset sail if you'd rather watch the sky change color over the water while the city lights come on. Either way, small-group size and the crew's willingness to kill the engine mean you're sailing, not just riding.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 119View ›
Venice Beach: Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Street Art Walk
Venice Beach: Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Street Art Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (353)3hYou’ll taste your way through Venice Beach with six different bites—from açai bowls to crispy fish tacos—while your local guide shares stories about street art, Muscle Beach legends, and those quiet canals. Expect sticky fingers, unexpected flavors, and small moments that stick with you long after you’ve left the boardwalk.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 100View ›
Los Angeles: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith & Farmers Market Tour
Los Angeles: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith & Farmers Market Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (352)5h 30mYou’ll start your Los Angeles day trip from Santa Monica Pier before cruising through legendary neighborhoods with a local guide. Walk among stars on Hollywood Boulevard, grab lunch at The Grove & Farmers Market, then take in sweeping city views at Griffith Observatory — all in just half a day.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 69View ›
San Diego Bay: Sunset & Day Sail Small Group Tour
San Diego Bay: Sunset & Day Sail Small Group Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (351)2h 30mYou’ll glide through San Diego Bay on a small-group sailboat at sunset, spotting dolphins and sea lions while sipping included drinks. See icons like Coronado Bridge and historic ships up close with your local guide pointing out hidden details. Feel both relaxed and quietly awed as city lights flicker on behind you—this is an evening you’ll want to linger in.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfromUS$ 119View ›
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