Top California Classes & Workshops - page 2

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.

Learn to surf in Pacifica, a picturesque town on the California coast just south of San Francisco. Your expert instructor covers all basics so that you can begin to catch some waves. Learn how to read the ocean, paddle out, pop up, balance and ride the waves, along with the etiquette of the surf world. Start practicing on the beach and in shallow waters before heading further out, with the assistance of your instructor available throughout your 3-hour lesson. Choose a morning or mid-day lesson that suits your schedule, with all necessary equipment provided.

Get to know Lake Tahoe while keeping your eyes on the road and the magnificent scenery with a private self-guided audio tour designed for listening in your own car. This GPS-powered app includes offline maps and pre-recorded commentary to guide you through must-see locations and hidden gems. Start and stop the tour whenever you like, and explore Tahoe at your own pace with lifetime access.

Experience the thrill of soaring 600 feet (183 meters) above sea level, across multiple high-speed ziplines on this incredible Catalina Island zipline eco-tour. After a safety briefing and equipment fitting, cruise along 1,100 lineal feet (335 meters) of line and fly some 300 feet (91 meters) above scenic canyon floors. Reach speeds of 40 mph (64 kph) as you take flight on this epic adventure, ideal for daredevils and thrill-seekers. Note: all zipline participants must be at least 55 inches (140 cm) tall and weigh between 80 and 240 lbs (36 and 109 kgs)

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your go-tos and uncover the secrets to French baking, this small-group macaron baking class in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great choice. Not only will you learn how to make these French delights from scratch, but you will also get tips to make things easier as you go from a master chef featured on the Cooking Channel. This hands-on baking class is fun for both beginner and experienced bakers alike.

Explore many miles of Lake Tahoe's beautiful East Shore Trail without breaking a sweat on a self-guided e-bike tour. Set the bike's battery boost settings to your own personal preference, and set off on fully paved, traffic-free paths for a stress-free day of cycling. The bike is yours for the entire day, along with bike locks so you can pop off to enjoy beaches and forests along the way.

Discover a side of Solvang that few other visitors get to experience—and tap into the region’s supernatural lore—on this evening ghost tour. Meet your guide in the center of town and set off with EMF meters, dowsing rods, and other ghost-hunting tools to aid you. You’ll see historic highlights of the town, and can attempt to spot local spirits, all while your guide shares Solvang’s spookiest ghost stories.

Take a tour to three backroads Sonoma wineries, and get more out of your trip to the Sonoma Valley than you would if you explored alone, on this small-group, half-day tour. Not only does your guide pick three impressive wineries to visit (tasting fees own expense), but they also set up a picnic lunch for your group to enjoy in a winery setting. Round-trip transport from your Sonoma hotel is also included, so you can focus on enjoyment and leave the driving to someone else.

Learn the basics of surfing or take your current skills to the next level during a 2-hour class. Enjoy a private lesson with an instructor or take a group class with friends.  Whether it’s your first time on a board or you’ve been catching waves for years, everyone can benefit from the class.  There’s no need to get a wetsuit or surfboard past TSA as both are provided for you.

Uncover San Francisco’s haunted history on this thrilling ghost-hunting tour, complete with your own EMF detector. Explore eerie alleys, historic neighborhoods, and infamous sites like Gold Rush cemeteries and Chinatown’s old red-light district, while hearing chilling tales of paranormal activity, murders, and mysterious deaths. Perfect for thrill-seekers, this tour blends ghost stories with true crime and the city’s darker past.

Do something different with your time in San Diego by taking part in this private hands-on cigar rolling workshop. Don’t worry about bringing anything with you, as all tools and materials are provided. During your class, learn top tips from expert cigar rollers as well as fascinating insights on the history of the craft that most travelers usually miss out on.

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.

You will learn and practice assembling geometric patterning as well as techniques for laying the tiles (tesserae). Using your selected geometric template you will be guided to create your own traditional Turkish mosaic lamp! With our expertise and guidance, we can help you unleash your inner creativity and discover your full artistic capabilities. After you attend the workshop you will take your very own artistic masterpiece with you. In this 2.5 hour class you will learn the techniques of this 500-year ancient craft. Be guided in creating your own traditional Turkish mosaic lamp with the geometric templates you select while enjoying a sumptuous Turkish tea service, delectable treats & homemade Turkish shortbread cookies. This experience is the only one of its kind in USA and is sure to light up your day not only on your date but in the days to follow as you enjoy your lamp at home.

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.

Go beyond the movies and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind some of the world’s most beloved animated characters at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio, the museum brings Walt Disney’s life and creative legacy into focus through early cartoons, films, personal stories, and recordings in his own voice. Before you leave, take in sweeping views of San Francisco Bay from the museum’s glass-walled galleries.

Suitable for all ages and experience levels, this private surfing lesson in Newport Beach will teach you how to ride the waves. Surfboards and wetsuits are included, so you can simply show up and hit the water. Get a hands-on lesson from a professional instructor. Private tutorials can be adapted to all skill levels.

Travel to Southern California’s Catalina Island by boat, and solve your transit logistics in advance, when you prebook this one-way departure ferry service aboard the Catalina Express. Depart from San Pedro in Los Angeles, and enjoy views of the Pacific during the journey. The ferry conveniently drops you in the town of Avalon, the main town on the island, which is home to shops, restaurants, hotels, activities and more.

Experience a private market tour and cooking class in a local home in Long Beach, California. BA, a public health professional and passionate home cook and baker, will be your host. Her international experience means she loves to mix exotic flavors with local, seasonal produce. Vegetarian, dairy/lactose free, and gluten free options are easy for her to accommodate. After shopping for local produce at the market, head to BA's home for a 2-hour cooking class, and then enjoy your meal together.

Looking to try something new and fun? We’re excited to introduce you to the sport of axe throwing! This thrilling traditional Canadian backyard pastime is now bigger than ever in urban communities. With the help of our talented axe throwing coaches, guests are able to share our passion for nailing the bullseye. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome!

Learn the basics of surfing in San Diego at a beach with gentle waves that are perfect for beginners. This semi-private surf lesson has a low student-to-instructor ratio for personalized attention from a highly trained team. Start on the beach to get a handle on surf essentials like safety, paddling, standing up, and wave etiquette, and then head out into the waves to put your new skills into practice.

Roll through Northern California’s famous wine country on the renowned Napa Valley Wine Train. Pass charming towns like Rutherford and St. Helena, and soak up the scenery of rolling hills, vineyards, and estates through large picture windows on the trip. Explore the restored vintage train cars, and then take a seat for a gourmet lunch or dinner freshly prepared by the train’s acclaimed on-board restaurant.

Get an introduction to the fun sport of archery near beautiful Joshua Tree National Park during this private experience, which has everything you need. Start with a beginner bow and a bucket of arrows to shoot from any distance you choose, with guidance on the proper form to aim and shoot. When you are ready, you can move up to a more advanced bow and heavier arrows.

Get out and ride some waves in Manhattan Beach on this two hour surf lesson in the Pacific Ocean. Your instructor will give you plenty of individualized attention, and is guaranteed to be CPR-certified. You’ll learn about safety, surfing etiquette, tides, ocean conditions, and technique. You’ll also learn about why ocean conservation is so important. Get ready to hang ten.

Learn to surf at one of California’s most famous spots during this introductory surfing class at Venice Beach. This class is suitable for all levels, whether it's your first time surfing or you are advancing your skills. Spend some time training on the beach, then hop in the Pacific Ocean for instruction in the water, followed by time for practice.