10 Private Tours in California That You Shouldn't Miss

January 3, 2022 Velvet Champine

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. Laguna Beach Backroads Electric Bike Tour

1121 Glenneyre St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA La Vida Laguna
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

We start our ride at our office in Central Laguna and head east, looping through Bluebird Canyon to experience the rolling inland hills. We will climb easily high above the city in the Mystic Hills neighborhood with a commanding view of our downtown district, Main Beach, and historic Laguna Hotel. Then we roll through our quaint downtown area, navigating picturesque neighborhoods past the historic Pyne Castle, with elevated ocean views in the bucolic and historic North Laguna. Then we head seaward to beautiful Crescent Bay Beach Park, with the best panoramic view of the coastline that extends from Dana Point all the way up to Palos Verdes in LA County! Following PCH, the tour takes us south through Heisler Park to view some of the town's amazing public art. Last, we'll cycle back through the downtown village and the Central Laguna neighborhood, home to early California Craftsman bungalows.

Inclusions: Use of bicycle, Bottled water

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Reviewed By lisabinnyc

My son (20) had a total blast on the water with Shane. This was my son’s first surf lesson but thanks to Shane’s patience and instructions, he was able to catch several waves. It was exciting for me too, though as mom had to keep a low profile. Still managed some nice photos to commemorate the occasion. Thank you Shane!

2. 8-Hour Private Sonoma or Napa Wine Tour with Concierge Service

Wine Nation Tours
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

Enjoy the Beauty of Napa Valley and Sonoma. Taste Best Wines , the region has to offer. We'll plan the day for you, based on your wine and personal preferences. We'll do our best to accommodate your requests and build most joyful itinerary for your group. - We are unable to list all of the wineries on Viator. We'll discuss your preferences during customization. - If you are unsure of which wineries to visit, there are predetermined lists of our top picks available, and we can accommodate your specific desired wine type. - ALL TRAVELERS MUST CALL SUPPLIER TO BEGIN THE CUSTOMIZATION OF THE TOUR. Usual pick up times available: from Sonoma , Napa as early as 9:30am from San Francisco as early as 8:30 am - Some of the wineries , we frequently visit are in Tour Details, below. However, each group is different and we will make sure your day in Wine Country spent with joy and pleasure.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Bottle of Champagne or Wine with Each Booking., Private transportation, Available predetermined wine tour itineraries , Pre-travel consultation to plan and customize your group's itinerary and tour experience, Free Pick up in South Central Sonoma Only , Napa and Marin County

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuity - Industry Standard 20%, Tastings at Wineries, Additional time past the first 8 hours , San Francisco Pick up and other areas - call for rate

Reviewed By zo_m995

Lonny was excellent! He was able to add some last minute reservations and recommend additional wineries. One of our faves was a place we weren’t planning to visit but he recommended. Friendly, great driver, go with the flow but professional.

3. Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway)

522 Clarinada Ave, Daly City, CA 94015, USA SpectrumXP
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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

4. Private All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara

SB Limo Wine Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Join us on this cultivated excursion and take home your own authentic Santa Barbara Wine Tour experience. This tour includes 3 private tastings and a picnic lunch. Choose your own gourmet lunch option and let us show you what our local wine is all about! We will take you to 3 wineries by appointment only and enjoy a private tasting. Arrive in style in one of our luxurious vehicles, vans or buses; depending upon the size of your group. We can pick you up at any location in the greater Santa barbara area. You'll be able to picnic at one of the wineries with a gourmet picnic lunch that is included in your tour.

Inclusions: Lunch, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes, Alcoholic Beverages

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Reviewed By Stephaniehubis

SB Limos went above and beyond! We just did a wine tour with them last weekend and it was so much fun. From the moment i called and booked they took care of everything. They called the wineries, set up our reservations, made sure we had plans for lunch, arranged for the driver to pick it up for us, and the driver made sure we had everything we needed throughout the day. He even offered to take pics of us at one of the wineries which was so awesome! This pandemic has changed everything, but this day was such a fresh breath of air, and i thank SB Limos for everything they did. Highly recommend. Ask for Stephanie when booking, she will help you with everything.

5. Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon

Catalina Tour Guide
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5.0 based on 31 reviews

Catalina Island’s original custom guided golf cart tour! Explore Avalon through the eyes of a local. With us you will learn about the history of the Island and the lifestyle of its residents. Custom tours of 2 hours will entertain and educate you! Reserve your tour time in advance, limited times and space are offered each day. SOLD OUT? NEED A DIFFERENT TOUR TIME? CALL US!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Bottled water, Landing and facility fees

Exclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Reviewed By LisaLSkinner

This is a good tour for someone who has never been to Catalina Island before. We took this tour and the Bison tour; they both had similarities in narration. I thought because we were on a bus that the ride would be smooth but it was rough and rugged for a city tour. It's a great opportunity to explore for first timers.

6. Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided GPS Audio Walking Tour around the Old Town

Loyal Order of Moose, 203 Scott St, Folsom, CA 95630, USA VoiceMap Sacramento
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

This self-guided GPS audio walking tour will explore the historic western gold rush town of Folsom, California. The tour begins at the corner of Riley and Scott Street in Folsom’s Historic District and ends on Truss Bridge, with tranquil views of the American River. We’ll take in Figueroa Street, where you’ll find beautiful homes built in the late 1800s, and Sutter Street, which was once Folsom’s main street – and a picturebook Old Western main street. We’ll end our adventure on the Truss Bridge. On this walking tour, you’ll hear about: • Local Native American history • California’s early history • The history of the gold rush and how it's connected to Folsom • The Victorian homes in Folsom • The revitalization of the Historic District in Old Town Folsom • Johnny Cash and the “Folsom Prison Blues” The tour is ready whenever you are. It plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone’s GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which works offline.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this selg-guided GPS audio tour in English, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS

Exclusions: Food and drink, Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

7. Private Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour

Cal Coast Adventures, 736 Carpinteria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA Cal Coast Adventures
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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.

8. San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert

Desert Adventures Metate Ranch, 38635 Monroe St, Indio, CA 92203, USA Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events
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4.9 based on 229 reviews

Only Red Jeep Tours can take you to Metate Ranch, located in the heart of the San Andreas Fault Zone. On this awe-inspiring OPEN-AIR Jeep Tour, you will travel deep into the heart of California’s world-famous San Andreas Fault and witness the forces of nature that have created amazing, steep-walled canyons and the most twisted and tormented landscapes on Earth! You will be awestruck by the spectacular scenery as your Jeep winds its way through the bones of the earth. During your adventure, you will stop several times for short nature walks, including a short hike through a slot canyon, if desired. This tour also stops at a natural palm oasis, where water bubbles up from the ground year-round. Here you will learn about how the Cahuilla Indians used desert plants to survive in this inhospitable environment. A final highlight is a guided tour of our recreated Cahuilla Indian Village that showcases the lifestyle and culture of the Cahuilla people.

Inclusions: Naturalist guided open-air Jeep eco-tour, Granola snacks, Bottled water, Land Use Fees

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drink (unless otherwise specified)

Reviewed By SicilianSliceNYC

Wonderful! A private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. A real treat and would definitely do this again!

9. Palm Springs off the Beaten Path Tailormade & Private Tour

501 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA Jack Alley
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

Allow another side of Palm Springs to help you get the most out of your experience by providing a personal and private tour guide to show you the way. Your guide extraordinaire will help you to put together a personalized and customized tour before your trip to Palm Springs, they will get a feel for your likes and dislikes and will work one-on-one with you to show you a side of Palm Springs you could never have seen on your own. Allow us to make your trip to Palm Springs as easy and carefree as it should be. The tour takes you to see the homes and buildings designed by Frey, Williams, Wexler, Cody, just to name a few. You don't want to miss this tour, because these people made this area. They had such a profound impact on Palm Springs, you can still feel their presence. Palm Springs is becoming the center of "Desert Modernism, " with stellar examples of mid-century modern architecture tucked throughout the community and available to enjoy.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By teamvickers

Jack was prompt, and so knowledgeable. We enjoyed our tour, seeing things we would have never known were there. Getting old Hollywood tidbits and facts. Learning about the Indigenous culture and historic architecture of the area, all while laughing and enjoying ourselves. We will be back and always recommend him!

10. Happy Ghost Walking Tour at Santa Barbara

836 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93102, USA Santa Barbara Ghost Tours
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

Welcome to the city of Friendly Ghosts! A perfect way to end your evening is with a docent-led ghost tour. Our 1 hour and 30-minute walking tours have curated content from first-hand accounts. You'll hear stories from as far back as the Old Spanish Days and from the different cultures that have called Santa Barbara home. This tour is a traditional history and ghost/legend walking tour. Your guide has a diverse background as being once a tour guide on the Queen Mary and now a docent Old Mission Santa Barbara. This tour is organic and enchanted and not script-based. Each tour is unique and filled with imagination and at times encounters with visiting ghosts. Our ghosts do not come to stay...they return (many times during your tour) for a sentimental holiday. Are you ready to see a side of Santa Barbara that most visitors miss?

Inclusions: Experienced guide

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Reviewed By 649stormyl

Our guide Julie was a wealth of interesting and captivating stories and information. She was a joy! Definitely giving this a thumbs up! Super fun. Will do this again with our kids.

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