Top California Arts & Design - page 3

Prebook general admission to San Francisco’s de Young Museum—located in Golden Gate Park, and home to one of the city’s most prominent art collections—and have the freedom to explore its galleries at your own pace with this convenient visiting option. Upgrade your ticket to include entrance to the Special Exhibits. With your ticket, you can also enjoy same-day entry to the Legion of Honor Museum at no extra cost.

See the sights of Hollywood on this tour by open-top Mercedes minibus or Ford Van with a canopy, which allows you to enjoy unobstructed views as you go. Traveling with an on-board guide, you'll pass by attractions such as the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, and movie studios. Plus, get a look at some of the mansions where past and present stars have lived.

Learn all about San Luis Obispo’s highlights and history—and enjoy a totally independent way to explore—on this self-led audio walking tour. Upon booking, download the audio tour and use it whenever you’d like, as it never expires. Set off at a time that works best for you, and get ready to glimpse local landmarks like the Palm Theatre, Mission San Luis Obispo, Bubblegum Alley, and much more.

Experience the best of Los Angeles on a 6-hour private tour with a personal guide, and explore the city in a vehicle that seats up to 15 guests. Get an insider’s glimpse of Tinseltown as you stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame, watch for celebrities as you tour Rodeo Drive and the city's exclusive neighborhoods, then take in views of the Hollywood sign and towering downtown skyscrapers. Enjoy the ultimate L.A. experience, and enjoy the convenience of a personal tour that begins and ends at your hotel or private residence.

Enjoy a new way to experience one of San Francisco's premier attractions when you book after-dark tickets to the Exploratorium, available exclusively on Thursday evenings. After regular visiting hours end, the Exploratorium turns into an adults-only destination for intellectual discovery. Visitors aged 18 and older can dance, mingle, and explore while sipping on cocktails (own expense, aged 21+ only) and discovering the museum's interactive exhibitions.

Make the most of your time at the Getty Center with a guided tour designed to cover key works, architecture, and gardens without feeling rushed. A guide helps you navigate the large campus efficiently, providing context that deepens understanding of major artworks and the museum’s design. This focused introduction is ideal for first-time visitors who want clear orientation before exploring independently.

Pair science with San Francisco nightlife and you have NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences. Prebooking your admission ticket is the perfect, child-free way to explore the museum after hours. Make your way inside and enjoy a lively venue of music, provocative science, and exhibits. Each special program changes weekly and is well worth exploring.

Take in the Financial District at your own pace with this affordable walking tour created by the San Francisco Chronicle. • See the neighborhood's often overlooked sites including an ornate office building that's only 20 feet wide, and hidden gargoyles and walruses • Hear from John King, the San Francisco Chronicle's urban design critic, as he guides you around the Financial District • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Hop aboard a vintage Volkswagen bus for a San Francisco city tour to remember. Travel down streets a typical tour bus can't access while your guide fills you in on the history of the City by the Bay, from the Gold Rush to Silicon Valley. Get views of landmarks such as Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Painted Ladies as you travel through distinct city districts, and see more of the city than you could if exploring independently.

See a side of San Francisco that many visitors overlook—and soak up the city’s local feel—on this small-group walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, and meet your guide in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Over the course of 2 miles (3 kilometers), you’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll as you ascend hidden staircases, explore secret gardens, and soak up the city’s picturesque views well off the tourist track.

Ensure a hassle-free arrival at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)—and make getting to your area hotel a breeze—thanks to this private transfer service. After landing, meet your driver, receive their help with your bags, and relax on the journey to your destination. This convenient transfer serves downtown San Francisco, as well as Oakland, Berkeley, and Sausalito.

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.

Immerse yourself into the golden age architecture of Los Angeles on this walking tour through Downtown. Take a chance to see the iconic landmarks of the early 20th century in the LA’s Historic Core including Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, and historical districts. Follow your enthusiastic local guide as he leads you through the most interesting locations and sights. • Experience the historic travel as you stroll through the early 20th century blocks in the Historic Core • Explore the scenic streets and get a perfect overview of the city • Benefit from a small group for better experience • The tour is perfect for families and first-time time visitors

For wine enthusiasts, Sonoma and Napa Valleys are the pinnacle of the North American wine experience. However, for the uninitiated, choosing where and when to go can be a little daunting. This tour shuttles you in style from San Francisco to three top-rated wineries, where you can enjoy tours and tasting. Upgrade to include a hop-on hop-off bus tour of San Francisco as well.

Enjoy the special opportunity to explore the only publicly accessible battleship on the West Coast—and learn all about its wealth of history—when you book advance tickets to the USS Iowa. Active since 1943, the ship has seen conflicts from World War II to the Korean War. With the accompanying mobile app, you’ll hear stories from soldiers and veterans about wartime life, and will have multimedia accompaniments to your excursion. Upgrade your experience to include guided tours of exclusive areas.

Learn about American history, especially early California history, while exploring the haunted house of Thomas Whaley. This self-guided tour transports you back to the 1800s and lasts around 30 minutes. Docents are available to answer questions. Don’t get too scared in America’s most haunted house. Entry is direct with this ticket, no exchange needed.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

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 numerous productions 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.

Wander through an ancient coastal redwood forest and explore the artistic enclave of Sausalito on this combo tour from San Francisco. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods, home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth. Then, soak up stellar views of the San Francisco skyline and browse art galleries along the Sausalito waterfront before returning by bus or Sausalito ferry.

Explore one of San Francisco’s most prominent art collections when you prebook admission tickets to the Legion of Honor Museum. Inside, discover an impressive collection of ancient Mediterranean art, European paintings and sculptures, works on paper, and more. As an added bonus, your ticket also includes same-day admission to the de Young Museum at no extra cost.

Explore the Northern California redwoods on this half-day tour of Muir Woods. Departing from Fisherman’s Wharf, your guide drives you over the Golden Gate Bridge in a comfortable luxury mini-bus to Muir Woods National Monument. Crane your neck to admire these trees standing 260 feet (80 meters) tall. Enjoy free time to hike among the coastal redwoods. Upgrade to take the ferry from Sausalito, or add a Big Bus combo for a 24-hour hop-on hop-off city tour with a digital Chinatown walking tour.

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.

Opt for this Palm Springs windmill tour, and try something a little different from your typical celebrity homes or San Andreas Fault tours you’d usually do in Palm Springs. This self-driving windmill tour allows you to explore the evolution of wind turbines on a private wind farm from the comfort of your own vehicle. The tour allows you to exit at each stop and guides you with a curated app with audio.

Ride a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco's most famous landmarks with a hop-on hop-off bus pass valid for 24 or 48 hours. Visit big-name attractions such as Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Union Square. Explore at your own pace, hopping off at any of 17 stops. Add-on options include Aquarium by the Bay admission, a digital Chinatown walking tour, a panoramic sunset tour, and a half-day wine tour