Top California Unique Experiences

Discover San Francisco’s dark side on a ghost-hunting tour, using a provided, personal EMF detector to scan haunted alleys, neighborhoods, and street corners. It’s not just ghosts. Exploring with a ghost-hunter guide means you’ll learn the city's scariest secrets and stories, too. As you walk through its nighttime streets, hear about everything from Gold Rush cemeteries to paranormal activity and unexplained deaths in the heart of San Francisco.

Hop on a ‘70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman’s Wharf, this 2-hour sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to ‘60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

Take an open-air bus tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills and explore some of the area’s landmarks and celebrity homes. See famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and the Chinese Theatre. Keep an eye out for celebrity sightings as you drive through Beverly Hills and view the homes of Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio and many more.

Hear spine-tingling stories about San Diego’s history and infamous residents during a ghost tour led by an entertaining guide. Visit five locations with supernatural tales behind their facades, and learn why San Diego is known as one of the most haunted cities in the west. You’ll join a small group that is limited to 14 people, traveling by bus and on foot.

Get a taste of Northern California wine country on this full-day tour of Napa and Sonoma County. Led by an expert guide, you’ll stop at three boutique wineries to sample delicious reds and whites. As you travel through the countryside, you’ll learn the history and viticulture of this world-class region. Your tour will conclude with drop-off at your hotel in San Francisco.

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from more than 55 productions—from blockbusters like ‘San Andreas’ to family favorites like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’—on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Take a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this "painted ladies" tour by vintage Volkswagen bus decorated with long gorgeous eyelashes so you can't miss your tour vehicle. You'll pass by neighborhoods like Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, and Hayes Valley, plus see the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Civic Center, and more.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this walking tour with a small group. Stop by shops selling authentic Chinese crafts and pottery, as well as hard-to-find herbs and produce. A variety of tastings add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, and other treats. Listen to guided commentary and ask plenty of questions as you explore.

Explore Hollywood and Beverly Hills on a tour that highlights celebrity homes and famous landmarks in Los Angeles. Hear live commentary and get clear views from your seat in the open-air bus as you drive past the Hollywood Sign, TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more, and cruise along famous streets including Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip.

Experience world-famous wine country from the air on an early morning hot-air balloon ride. Then climb into a comfortable basket to take to the skies as the valley below you awakens. Enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of rolling hills, expansive vineyards, and elegant estates during your flight. Your pilot will offer insights on ballooning and the landscape as you float above it all! * Wine Country Hot-air balloon ride * Learn about the world famous Wine Country as your soar above it all

Take an open-air fire truck tour of San Francisco aboard a shiny red vintage fire engine. Be the talk of the town as you suit up in a firefighter jacket and hat for a fun ride with the whole family. Your professional driver narrates the tour from Fisherman's Wharf through the Presidio and across the city's world-famous Golden Gate Bridge to charming Sausalito. Fasten your seat belt for the drive of a lifetime on this small-group San Francisco fire engine tour, limited to 13 passengers.

Join other wine lovers and your host for a day exploring some of Temecula’s best wineries. A different combination of wineries are selected according to time of year and events happening, so you can be sure of variety and a streamlined experience. Enjoy a delectable lunch at one vineyard, and go behind the scenes at several others.

Get an intimate look at the diverse neighborhoods of LA during this small-group cycling exploration. Join a group of no more than 10 riders for a 32-mile (51-kilometer) adventure through areas like West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Bel-Air, and Beverly Hills, listening to insightful and entertaining stories from your guide as you cycle. During the trip, you’ll also stop in Venice Beach, where you can buy lunch, and take a guided walking tour of historic Greystone Mansion. A hybrid road bike, safety equipment, and bottled water are also included.

Immerse yourself in the SoCal lifestyle—and learn the basics of surfing in an accessible, hands-on way—with private surfing lessons. Choose from multiple convenient class times, and meet your instructor right on the legendary Venice Beach. With personalized guidance, you’ll learn the basics on the beach before grabbing your board and trying out your skills in the waves.

Pismo Beach is a surfing hot spot, with riders coming from all over California to catch a wave here. While you could just watch surfers from the shore, it’s much more fun to experience the thrill for yourself with a surf lesson. Instructors will guide you through the basics and get you out into the water. Plus, there’s no need to rent equipment with a surfboard and wetsuit included.

Satisfy your taste buds on a food and walking tour of Venice Beach, an easy day trip for visitors staying in Los Angeles. In addition to sharing trivia and stories about the area’s history, your guide brings you to popular food stands as well as hidden gems loved by locals. A small group size ensures intimate food tastings, from poke and tacos to crostini and local wine.

So many adventures to have in San Francisco with so few funds. If the pocketbook is feeling a touch light then consider these invigorating smartphone-guided scavenger hunts. The three-hour events force adventurers to solve clues and navigate the city streets; plus all the SF scenery you can absorb during the journey. Pricing is per individual but teams must book together to be in same adventure.

Learn about San Diego while joining your friends or family for a scavenger hunt on this 2.5-hour self-guided game in Balboa Park. Combine the fun of the Amazing Race with the information of a 3-hour walking tour as your team uses your own smart phones to play the scavenger hunt. Solve the clues and complete challenges as you make your way among well-known and hidden parts of Balboa Park during the scavenger hunt—an ideal choice for families, friends, or work colleagues visiting San Diego.

Get wet while learning to surf in Santa Cruz, a picturesque coastal California town popular with surfers. Your 3-hour lesson starts with the basics of how to paddle out, pop up, balance, and catch a wave, along with surfing etiquette and understanding the ocean. Your instructor has you practice on the beach before accompanying you into a spot with small waves that are ideal for beginners. Includes all necessary equipment and instruction.

Enjoy epic aerial views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, among other city highlights, on this 1-hour guided air tour. Fly from the suburb of Hayward in a Cessna with a pilot/guide at the helm, who will fill you in on the history and culture of the city through guided commentary in English or Spanish.

While standard tours reveal San Francisco’s sights, they can’t deliver the same meaningful experience that a local friend can. Step forward this private walking tour: hosted by a local passionate about their city. Tell them your travel wish-list before meeting for a walk tuned to your interests and enriched by their knowledge. Gain cultural insight, get transport, neighborhood, and restaurant tips; and find less-obvious sights—just as with a friend.

Pedal along the trails of Malibu on an electric mountain bike during this adventurous excursion. Whether you're a beginner or advanced rider, your guide will adjust their route and pace to your abilities. Use the electric assist as little or as much as you like, enabling to work as hard as you want. See the flora and fauna of Southern California up close and learn about the environment through guided commentary.

Hit the Los Angeles roads feeling like you’re in a Hollywood movie on this one-of-a-kind private tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Drive around Tinseltown in a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, the wind in your hair as you explore these glossy neighborhoods and stop for photo ops at landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, the Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hear stories about the famous people that made this city, and the celebrities that live here now, from your dedicated guide.

Transform your Catalina Island getaway into a scavenger hunt adventure with a self-guided tour that takes you from hidden sites to Avalon’s glamorous waterside casino. Follow a trail of smart phone clues through the city as you explore with a group of 2–5 people, solve island-themed puzzles and complete a series of exciting challenges while learning local history. Trace the 2-mile route on foot, bicycle or golf cart, and take on the 3-hour island adventure at your own pace, with stops for eating, drinking and sightseeing.