Top Things to do in California
What to do and see in California, United States: The Best Sightseeing Tours
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Welcome to the GPS-enabled driving tour of California’s famous Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway! This self-guided audio tour stretches between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world! This self-guided audio tour allows you to explore Highway 1 with maximum flexibility and value. Purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password and an app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. Start at the first stop and follow the instructions! Stick to our route for the best experience. This tour doesn’t include entrance to attractions along the route. Check pandemic rules before your visit. No expiration — the tour is available from the minute you book until forever! ALERT: Highway partially closed due to storm damage.
Inclusions: GPS Map, Audios and Text, Online Support
Exclusions: Admission to Paid Attractions
Reviewed By GrandTour632361
please fix the app the navigation does not work it is impossible to get back on the route if you get off please tie it in with a GPS system or something for the love of god this was excruciating we spent 2 hours and pretty much saw the buffalo bayou river because we looped around it so many gosh darn times xoxo
2. Classic Sunset Sail in San Diego
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
We offer a premium sailing experience aboard the vintage sailing yacht “Liberty”. Our vessel is a work of art unlike any boat on the bay. She is flawlessly maintained with high standards of pride and craftsmanship. You will fall in love with her mirror-finish wood accents, beautiful cozy cabin and clean facilities. This is an all-inclusive 2 ½ hour experience with beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks. Play some music and relax on cushioned seats as we sail the scenic waters of San Diego Bay. Feel free to steer the boat and feel the power of the wind in the sails. Our sailing experience is limited only to 6 guests. You can sail with other travelers or select a private cruise for just you and your friends and family.
Inclusions: Beer, wine and soft drinks
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Michael S
Amazing day sailing! Capt Philip is the best! I’ve gone on many sailing trips on both coasts. Without a doubt this was the best. The Liberty is a beautiful boat. Strongly recommended to anyone who enjoys sailing and good conversation.
3. Private Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 122 reviews
Enjoy the beautiful sights of Santa Barbara while riding an easy-to-use electric bike. Follow your guide to the Santa Barbara Mission, State Street and other historical sites, and learn about the city’s history. Have your camera ready as you cruise along the gorgeous Pacific Ocean coastline. This private tour is ensures you a personalized experience.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Electric bike, Helmet, Water
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By F8761MPchristines
This was my 1st time renting a bike and taking it out to site see and my daughter and I truly enjoyed it we will definitely come back and do it again.
4. Shared 3 Hours Los Angeles VIP Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 232 reviews
This is not your usual scripted tour. In contrast, it is customized and peppered with discussions about Los Angeles culture and history. By the end of this tour, you will have all the "Must Have" LA pictures, make friends with LA locals, and have a very big smile on your face! During the trip, you will have 3-4 actual stops at the most iconic locations throughout the city, and get the best photo opportunities as well as the stories behind the places by your own local tour guide. We will cruise through the mountains for the BEST outlook points like Mulholland Dr, make a stop at the HOLLYWOOD SIGN (SUPER CLOSE), and jump out at famous Palm Trees' Street . Also, we will enter the American Film Academy, where hundreds of blockbusters (X-Men, Batman, SpiderMan, Rush Hour...) were shot and explore the hidden gems of Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr, AND MORE... Perfect for solo, couples, families, or groups of up to 7people. PickUp 2KM FROM MEETING POINT 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 614sasam
Kay was our tour guide and he was amazing I would totally recommend it to anyone it was perfect seeing that my leg was messed up and I really couldn’t walk
5. San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 116 reviews
A boat ride on San Diego Bay is lovely, but an exhilarating ride on a dual-engine jet boat is an experience to remember. Zoom around the bay, enjoying views of the city skyline and Coronado Island and relishing the feel of the roaring wind. If that’s not enough thrill, 360-degree spins add to the excitement. Choose from several departure times to suit your sightseeing schedule.
Inclusions: 30-minute jet boat ride, Waterfront sights such as: San Diego Skyline, U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier, Star of India and the iconic ships of the Maritime Museum, North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado Bridge, Use of plastic ponchos and ziplock bags
Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available for purchase, approximately US $15 each)
Reviewed By deja11
The food was horrible! I literally ate two bites. The waitress never ask about my plate being full or ask if I wanted anything else. Very disappointing especially when I brought 10 guest with me from out of town. They also agreed the food was not worth the $.
6. 30-Minute PRIVATE Ferrari California Driving Tour To Hollywood Sign
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 92 reviews
Explore the Hollywood attractions behind the wheel of an exotic sports car. Get the unforgettable and unique experience to test drive a Ferrari California on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, along the streets of the City, on a sightseeing tour up to the Hollywood sign viewpoint, and feel the adrenaline of driving such a powerful vehicle! Come back home with plenty of wonderful memories of you and the gorgeous Ferrari.
Inclusions: Ferrari California sports car, 30 min drive, Private professional guide, Sightseeing, Pics at Hollywood sign viewpoint stop, Price include the driver ONLY!all passengers have to pay an extra $20 fee on site.
Exclusions: Go-pro video (available to purchase), Gratuities, additional fee in the back seat rider is $20( per guest for insurance)
Reviewed By evapeter7
The Ferrari trip and Kay were both great!! We were booked on another tour because we really wanted to see the Hollywood Sign up close (it was the only reason we booked the tour). There was miscommunication surrounding the time we needed to be there for the tour and it left without us. We worked it out with the tour operators and ended up paying extra to do the Ferrari tour. We got to see the sign and had a blast, so a frustrating situation turned into a great day. Thanks guys!
7. Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 1,302 reviews
This 7.5 hour guided tour - by LA-natives - is perfect for families, couples and all ages! Discover the area’s most iconic sights and landmarks including Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr., the Beverly Hills sign, iconic Farmer's Market at the Grove, The Griffith Park Observatory for a perfect selfie of the Hollywood Sign; the Hollywood walk of fame Grauman's Theatre, The Kodak Theatre, Sunset Strip and much more. Entertaining, friendly, informative and hilarious guides! Free hotel pick-up and drop-off is also included!
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Driver/guide, Bottled water, Free Hotel pickup and drop-off from most hotels near Anaheim, LAX, Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West LA, Hollywood, Culver City, Century City, Uber Voucher (Downtown LA/Nth Hollywood guests only) - to return to their hotel from the last stop
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities, Parking, No luggage please, personal sized carry-on only.
Reviewed By MsPearl105
This was the highlight of our short 4 day stay in Santa Monica. We definitely enjoyed walking to the Pier and surrounding areas daily, but we wanted to see the highlights of LA as well. Eight people on our party booked this tour and we couldn’t have been more happy that we did! We covered so much ground in a short period of time. Sure, we wanted to hang out on Rodeo Drive a little longer or stroll Hollywood Blvd more, but it’s a way to experience many places in about 8 hours. Alecia was knowledgeable, kind, professional & hilarious!! We enjoyed the other parties on the bus as well. This is a plus since you never know who’s gonna be on a tour with you. We saw our tour “friends” later at dinner and we were very cordial and chatted a bit more. My son was celebrating his 13th birthday (purpose of our Cali visit). When Alecia found out, she led the bus in singing Happy Birthday to him. She always played a song for him before dropping us off at our hotel. Talk about making the tour extra special! She even remembered my brother’s name. Maybe not a big deal to some, but it was to us. Alecia gave detailed and easy to follow directions each time before we explored a new area (where she’d be, how to remember where to meet up, public restrooms &WiFi, what to do if we encountered a celebrity). Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive), Farmer’s Market Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, and more! The bus was very nice! Clean, air conditioned and phone/device charging capabilities!! Thank you, Alecia!!!
8. San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 469 reviews
Whale watching season is all year long in San Diego! Our team at Next Level Sailing provides the optimal experience with guides so experienced we received a 100 percent success rate last year when spotting the King of the Deep. Not only are we open (as of February 12, 2021), we are one of the best outdoor activities to do in San Diego. Gray whale watching season spans from mid-December through April. Aboard our 139-foot sailing yacht, the Yacht America, you will see a plethora of gray whales firsthand in their natural habitat. As we approach the end of the season, you will see females leading their young calves up north. In addition to whales, we also see dolphins and sea lions, and an abundance of naval activity. Don't be surprised if you see an F-18 fly overhead! Please keep in mind that we do need at least 10 guests in order to sail. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in case we ask to rebook your trip to a different day :)
Inclusions: 4.5-hr sailing cruise, Sodas and snacks, Whale sighting guarantee, No seasickness' guarantee, 9:00 AM trip: Check in between 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM , 11:00 AM trip: Check-in starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:30 AM, 1:15 PM trip: Check in between 12:30 - 12:45, 2:00 PM Trip: Check in between 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM, Free Parking. Check-in located next to parking lot., Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop off
Reviewed By Wink84
My boyfriend and I went on the whale watching tour and had a blast. Although we were not lucky enough to see a whale, we literally saw hundreds of dolphins. This is my 4th whale watch tour (1st with Next Level Sailing) and I've yet to see a whale, so I am still giving them 5 stars. About the tour: friendly, welcoming staff! we learned a lot about San Diego, the Navy Seals and the Naval base. The ship is really impressive and comfortable for the many hour cruise. We were also allowed to bring our own cooler with snacks and wine. We really enjoyed the afternoon and are sure you would too!
9. Private Helicopter Tour over Long Beach and Los Angeles
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 36 reviews
Cruise over downtown Long Beach and the historical Queen Mary on this private helicopter tour. You'll then soar over the port of Long Beach and Los Angeles while climbing up to get spectacular views of Catalina and the L.A. Basin.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Fuel surcharge, Headsets to hear the guide clearly, Live commentary on board, Private tour
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By luiscM120MZ
If what I paid for says 45 minutes it should be 45 minutes not 15 minutes or less. Called customer service and they said they’d call me back with my options and yet I’m still waiting for a return call. The pilots were great and even though the experience was very short lived it was memorable for my wife’s and I anniversary, however, I’m sure it would of been even more spectacular to actually get to experience the whole tour!
10. Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 267 reviews
Embark on a 4-hour whale watching tour. All trips are narrated by a naturalist or marine biologist guide, who will also spend one on one time with guests while on deck. Professional photographers are often sent to capture the spectacular sights seen from on board and are available to offer tips for your own photography.
Inclusions: Live commentary on board, Professional guide
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By Joseph N
I never fail to get my limit of rockfish and Captain Tom got us to the fish again. Deckhand Alfredo was very helpful in so many ways. I have mobility issues and he and even some of the other fishermen were very accommodating. I make an annual trip to fish in Monterey Bay, so see you next year !
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