What to do and see in California, United States: The Best Tours

April 12, 2022 Veronika Gaddis

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. 1 HOUR Eco Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay

2803 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106, USA Eco Boat Rentals
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5.0 based on 142 reviews

1 HOUR Pedal Boat Rentals. Maximum capacity 3 adults and 1 kid (650lb) Our Pedal Boats are equipped with very comfortable seating and sun shade. Cruise the San Diego Bay at your own pace while enjoying the local wildlife and sightseeing. Our boat rentals a safe boating experience for families with kids in San Diego! * Well behaved dogs are welcome

Inclusions: 1 hour Eco Pedal Boat rental, Adults, kids and dogs life jackets

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By AvaNiupulusu29

Had an awesome experience with the family here. Awesome & professional customer service. We will def take our son back here again. My 1 yr old was calm the whole ride and was enjoying the nice breeze. I would recommend it for kids at the age of 1 turning 2. This was an awesome adventure !!! We will be back !

2. 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey

Big Sur Adventures, 125 Ocean View Blvd #122, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA Big Sur Adventures
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4.9 based on 149 reviews

Legendary for it's beauty, 17-mile Drive meanders up and down the hills of Pebble Beach, past amazing mansions and it's famous golf courses.  We wind our way along the rugged coastline and through thick cypress groves, stopping at all the amazing viewpoints.  Our local guides share their knowledge of the area's unique ocean wildlife and iconic landmarks...the Lone Cypress, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Lover's Point, Asilomar Beach. 23 mi. round trip, approx 3 hrs.  Min. height 4'10"; Max. weight 350lb. Alternating between separated bike lanes & road shared with vehicles (25 mph speed limit), we recommend "youth" riders be ages 16+ to ride solo.  Parents may book a bike for ages 13+ if their child is experienced enough to ride on a 25 mph road shared with vehicles.  The "child" rate is for children between 40 lb. & 120 lb. riding tandem with a parent on a RadWagon bike.

Inclusions: E-bike, Helmet, Gloves, Guide, Bottled water

Exclusions: The listed price does not include parking fee, Metered street parking on Ocean View Avenue is $1.75/hr, Free street parking available 1/4 mile down Ocean View Avenue towards Lover's Point Park.

Reviewed By tobiethefoodie

Customer Service par Excellence! That is an apt definition of big. The equipment is top-notch and the value cannot be overstated. The location is perfect for a safe ride as the Monterey Coastal Trail is literally right in front of Big Sur Adventures... That bike path provided breathtaking views. There's something special about an empty road going on and on and on to the horizon and where the ocean breezes the world away and the crystal blue sky blurs the line between heaven and earth.

3. Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley

600 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA Platypus Wine Tours
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4.9 based on 312 reviews

Join us on a full-day, small-group wine tour of the Spectacular Napa Valley wine country! You’ll visit three charming, back roads wineries and be served a picnic lunch in an idyllic winery setting. Your tour guide will tell fascinating stories and share many interesting tidbits about local history, culture and wine making. Our specialty is intimate, light hearted and truly memorable experiences. Your guide will set up a tasty picnic lunch for you at a picturesque winery. Once the tour concludes, you will be dropped off from where you were picked up.

Inclusions: 3 winery visits, Driver Tour Guide, Transport by small shuttle, Picnic lunch, Bottled water, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Fuel surcharge, Lunch

Exclusions: Wine tasting fees ($15-$20 at each winery) per person, Gratuity for the guide (Suggested 15-20%) per person; Parties of 5 or more traveling together are considered a large party and will have a 15% gratuity charged for the tour guide at the end of the tour.

Reviewed By stacieb69

Amazing tour!! Great guide (Mark) and great tour group. The wineries were fantastic and the boxed lunch was so good!! I will never choose another company for a Napa tour.

4. 30-Minute PRIVATE Ferrari California Driving Tour To Hollywood Sign

6822 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA i Ride Like a Star
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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!

5. Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028, USA A Day in LA Tours
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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!!!

6. San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

2050 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USA Next Level Sailing
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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!

7. Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequioas Day Trip from San Francisco

San Francisco, CA, USA Best Bay Area Tours
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4.8 based on 460 reviews

Take a day trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park, described as the crown jewel of the country's many splendid national parks. You will be guided on a coach tour to highlights such as Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls, with a stop for a 1-mile (1.6-km) walk into a grove of giant sequoias*. Our vans only take 15 passengers, so we are able to stop at more places with less time for loading and unloading of passengers. *weather permitting, and the hike is not recommended for people with health issues

Inclusions: National Park fees, All activities, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off (from select hotels in San Francisco), Local taxes

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, No Pick-up/Drop-off from residential addresses or hotels outside of San Francisco

Reviewed By cwd143

Took the small group tour to Yosemite National Park. It was one of the best tours we have had. Brian our tour guide made this 1 day trip to Yosemite amazing. He packed in a visit and photo opps to all the major sites in Yosemite . We highly recommend tours with Best Bay. They do not disappoint at all.

8. Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego

USS Midway Museum
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4.8 based on 847 reviews

Experience life at sea without leaving port by visiting the USS Midway Museum, San Diego's number 1 rated visitor attraction. A visit to this historic naval aircraft carrier museum is an essential experience for people of all ages. Hangar Deck and Flight Deck tour routes will showcase Midway’s exclusive collection of more than 30 restored Navy aircraft and the incredible views of San Diego Bay. For your safety, our below deck tour routes, guided Island Tour, “Battle of Midway” theater, simulator & Virtual Reality experiences, and climb aboard cockpits are temporarily closed. When purchasing tickets you must choose a date and time for your visit. This will allow us to manage the number of guests on board to assist with physical distancing requirements. Please arrive at your chosen date and time with your tickets, and review all information in your email confirmation.

Inclusions: Audio Tour, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Embarcadero Adventure Offers including discounts for other nearby attractions, World famous Midway volunteers will bring the flight deck alive, Ability to skip the ticketing line - does not apply to lines within the attraction.

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop off, For your safety, our below deck tour routes, and flight simulators are closed.

Reviewed By Christopher S

I was excited to see the Midway but was disappointed to find out only the hanger deck and flight deck were open - Covid restrictions bs but the y charged you full price - $26. Its like paying for a whole cake then getting 1/2

9. San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Adventure Cat Sailing, Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA Adventure Cat Sailing Charters
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4.8 based on 619 reviews

Enjoy the serene San Francisco Bay at sunset on this evening with the Sunset Cruise aboard a luxurious catamaran. Sail by Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge and look for sea lions, then cruise down the city skyline. Both the Adventure Cat 55' or 65' catamaran are complete with a 360-degree, protected viewing area for those who don't like the wind in their faces as well as canvas trampoline nets where you can experience the ocean and sights in the open sea air.

Inclusions: 1.5-hour sunset cruise

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drink (sealed beverages - non-alcoholic, beer, wine will be available for purchase onboard)

Reviewed By heatherbZ4210ZA

Wonderful relaxing sail - around Alcatraz - under the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Listen to music while sitting on netting just above the water - feel the wind and ocean. Saw a whale too!

10. San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Tour

614 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA Murder N’ Mayhem
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4.7 based on 46 reviews

Join Murder n’ Mayhem for a Historical True Crime Tour of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. You will walk through several eras in time as you explore interesting stories of true crime. You will also learn the darker history of the Gaslamp Quarter, the area formerly known as the Stingaree. Learn about how downtown San Diego first came to be and then the era of the Stingaree. You will visit a historic hotel where a ghost is said to STILL haunt his room. Then you will travel in time to the roaring 1920’s. Next you will move forward a little over 10 years to become familiar with the 3rd victim of a San Diego Serial Killer. And last, we will share one of the most horrific crimes to take place in modern downtown San Diego. * Please note due to the graphic nature of these murder cases we advise extreme caution for children under 13. This tour includes discussion of assault, rape and murder, along with gruesome details that some may find offensive.

Inclusions: Guided Tour

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Reviewed By sparnell1950

My group of 11 had a great time seeking out the clues and putting them together to solve the crime. Our ‘boss’ split us into two groups with created a fun spirit of competition. Highly suggested for an enjoyable group activity!

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