Top California Art & Culture - page 2

Take in panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline and Alcatraz Island, and sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, on a relaxing San Francisco Bay cruise. Sit indoors or savor cool bay breezes from an outdoor deck and experience San Francisco in a new way. This ticket allows you to skip the line and go straight to the gate. Access an audio guide via your smartphone or other device.

Savor the distinctive flavors of Carlsbad Village with a food and walking tour of the scenic seaside gem. Get an insider’s look at the culinary scene, local history, and landmarks as you explore with knowledgeable guides and enjoy six gourmet tastings. Sample luscious desserts and unique specialty foods, and season your experience with behind-the-scenes stories about Carlsbad Village’s vibrant gourmet culture, hippest restaurants, and cutting-edge artisanal products.

Cruise off the coast of Orange County in search of whales on this excursion from Newport Beach. Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signals indicate that humpback, minke, grey, finback, or giant blue whales are nearby. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.

Fans of true crime won't want to miss this tour of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Your guide will take you through the area formerly known as Stingaree, telling you the back stories of some gruesome crimes that have taken place over the years, with a stop to visit a haunted hotel along the way.

Discover the natural and manmade beauty of 17-Mile Drive on an electric bike tour from Pacific Grove. The e-bike allows you to cover more ground without getting worn out. The tour is great for the whole family, with the option to ride tandem with children weighing up to 120 lbs (54 kgs). Along the way, learn about the area from your guide and make stops at impressive viewpoints.

Kayak La Jolla and the 7 Caves!  This 90 minute guided tour in La Jolla is a favorite of both locals and San Diego visitors. Explore beautiful sea cliffs and caves as you glide through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life. Paddle to Sunny Jim’s Cave, the Arch Cave, the Clams’ Cave and other sea caves for amazing close-ups of sandstone formations. Witness sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish (rock on, man) and even the occasional dolphin on this sought-after La Jolla kayak tour. Ages 5 and up.

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.

See all of San Francisco's top sights and attractions in one hassle-free way with this combination sightseeing package. With a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass, you have the flexibility to explore the city at your own pace, including highlights such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more. This package also includes ferry admission tickets to Alcatraz Island, the Aquarium by the Bay, and a panoramic sunset tour.

Take a trip through American naval history when you go for a self-led tour of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, with the benefit of prebooked admission tickets. This enormous ship, the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, an audio tour, and numerous restored aircraft across its 4 acres (1.6 hectares). It’s an essential piece of the country's military history.

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 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 a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this small-group tour by vintage Volkswagen bus, decorated with long 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.

Get an in-depth introduction to Los Angeles on this grand city tour. Ideal for first-time visitors and those with limited time, the tours start in downtown Los Angeles then continues to Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Hills.

Join your guide for a 2.5-hour walking tour that combines sightseeing in the hills of Los Angeles with a vigorous walk up to the Hollywood sign. Learn about the history of Los Angeles on an entertaining hike that takes in Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills neighborhood, and the Hollywood sign, and offers views of Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, and all of Los Angeles.

Enjoy a thrilling new way to explore San Diego Bay—and enjoy speed, splashes, and spins along the way—on this high-speed jet boat tour. As you race along the scenic waterway, spot landmarks including the USS Midway, Coronado Island, Seaport Village, the Embarcadero, and the city skyline. Then, hang on as your captain takes your boat into power slides, 360-degree spins, and other high-octane maneuvers.

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—in a single tour from San Francisco. Enjoy comfortable transportation in a luxury small-group tour van, including a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge, so you can focus on the scenery instead of driving. Your Alcatraz admission includes the ferry ride and audio tour, with free time to explore Muir Woods and Sausalito at your own pace.

Explore Alcatraz Island like never before with this exclusive package that includes official admission and round-trip ferry tickets. Accompanied by a unique companion audio guide, your journey unfolds with captivating narratives about the island’s history, hidden gardens, and powerful stories of resistance. From the moment you board the ferry at Pier 33 to your return, enjoy immersive storytelling that enhances the official Cellhouse audio tour. This experience reveals insights often missed, providing a deeper understanding of transformation within this historic site. At checkout, you can select the Alcatraz Night Tour option, which includes evening ferry service, guided introductions by park rangers, and access to areas not open during the day. With fewer visitors and special programs, the night tour offers a more intimate and immersive experience of the island. Night option is not available Sundays and Mondays. This is a self-guided tour with an exclusive audio companion guide.

Avoid the crowds, confusion, and limitations of large buses and discover San Francisco by luxury minivan. This half-day, small-group tour takes offers the perfect city overview. Stop for photo opportunities at some of San Francisco's most popular attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks, and learn more from your guide's stories. By the end of the tour, you'll have seen the best of the City by the Bay.

Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your or or two day trolley pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 11 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.

See the sights of Avalon on a quick tour that takes you along the waterfront, up the hillsides, and through the center of town. The quick, nonstop journey provides views and allows you to get oriented with Avalon and its attractions so you can better enjoy your time on Catalina Island. Learn about the island's history and heritage from a guide as you travel the loop.

Enjoy easy skip-the-line access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid ticket. Walk right in to explore the museum's 4-story rainforest, planetarium, and aquarium, plus the new Tiny Chef, Big Impact exhibit celebrating small actions for the planet.

Explore Catalina Island on a guided scenic tour combining coastal views, island history, and natural insight. Travel comfortably aboard an open-air tram while a local guide explains Catalina’s development, ecology, and cultural significance. The route is designed to provide elevated viewpoints and varied scenery, offering a broad understanding of the island in a single experience.

Visit Northern California wine country and Muir Woods for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discounted price: Begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument, then tour three wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with tastings included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge, with a stop for a photo opportunity. Guests can buy lunch if you haven't upgraded to the gourmet lunch option.

Explore some of the best eats in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego—and learn insider facts and stories about its sordid past—on this two-in-one, small-group walking tour. Join an expert guide who has the inside scoop on the district's hopping restaurant and bar scene. Sample delicious dishes at several eateries, sip drinks, and learn about the neighborhood's past as a notorious red-light district.