Top California Classes & Workshops

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.

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.

Enjoy an immersive nature experience—and give yourself the best chance of spotting whales and other marine wildlife—on this half-day boat tour of Monterey Bay. Monterey is the premier destination in Northern California for winter whale-watching, and your naturalist guides know the best places to spot them. Along the way, learn about the majestic animals, and look out for whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and more.

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.

Create your own signature perfume in a warm and cozy boutique-style studio in South Lake Tahoe. This hands-on fragrance experience combines creativity, scent blending, and guided instruction as you explore a curated scent bar and craft a perfume that is uniquely yours. Designed to feel elevated yet approachable, this intimate workshop offers a relaxing atmosphere perfect for date nights, girls’ trips, solo travelers, and creative experiences with family or friends. Leave with a custom-blended perfume in a luxury-style glass bottle and a memorable experience inspired by the atmosphere of Lake Tahoe.

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.

If you're new to surfing, get abundant attention from an instructor with a private surf lesson in San Diego. The customized session is geared toward each individual's age and experience to help get you paddling and standing up as soon as possible. Get comfortable with basics of wave safety, positioning, and surf etiquette right on the beach before heading out to try catching your first waves.

This experience blends hands-on mixology, local history, and iconic Bay Area views into one memorable San Francisco outing. Hosted inside a historic 1930s Art Deco distillery on Treasure Island, guests enjoy sweeping views of the Bay while learning the craft behind classic whiskey cocktails. During the class, guests shake and stir three iconic drinks — the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Paper Plane, while discovering how different whiskeys shape flavor, balance, and aroma. One of the moments guests love most is tasting the first cocktail they’ve made themselves. Even those who say they “don’t usually drink whiskey” are often surprised by how approachable and delicious it can be. Getting here is easy, including a scenic six-minute ferry ride from the San Francisco Ferry Building. Gold Bar Whiskey is the Official Whiskey of the San Francisco 49ers.

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.

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.

Brush up on your surfing skills, or try riding the waves of the Pacific Ocean for the first time. With lessons tailored to beginner, intermediate, or advanced riders, this package is perfect for riders of all levels. Instructors will teach you how to stay safe and have fun while surfing the shores at San Clemente.

I’m an experienced surfer from Encinitas who wants to share the epic experience of surfing with you. I teach lessons for beginners to intermediate surfers. My goal is that you are having fun, feel confident, and fully embrace the unique experience that surfing is. By the end of the lesson you will have surfed some of your first waves as well as gained a greater knowledge of the ocean.

All Equipment Provided – Premium recurve bows & full safety gear Stunning Outdoor Range – Practice in fresh alpine air Certified Instructors – Patient, encouraging coaching

Get out and ride some waves in Carlsbad 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.

Enjoy a bucket-list-worthy experience in California when you learn the surfing basics during this beginner-friendly class, hosted right along the Santa Barbara coastline. With just your instructor and a small group for company, get the hang of surfing fundamentals like paddling, reading the water, and catching waves. Surfboards and wetsuits are provided, while your instructor is on hand to teach you all the skills you need.

Skip the limitations of fixed itineraries and explore San Francisco on your own terms with a flexible bike rental. Starting from Fisherman’s Wharf, you can create a route that matches your interests, whether that means riding along the waterfront, exploring city neighborhoods, or cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Choose the pace and sights that suit your day while enjoying the freedom to discover more than you would on foot.

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.

Experience one of San Francisco’s most popular activities—biking across the Golden Gate Bridge—with this bike rental from the Marina District, conveniently located near Crissy Field and the route to the bridge. A bike, map, helmet and lock are provided with this rental, plus you’ll receive tips on the best ways to bike to the bridge and around the city. On the other side of the bridge, you can explore the waterfront town of Sausalito before returning to the city.

Group tours that involve exercise can either go way too slow or end up leaving you in the dust. Don’t settle to explore a new area uncomfortably. Instead, prebook this Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Bike Tour of North Shore, and ride at your own pace. Pedal along bike paths away from heavy car traffic, and see stunningly beautiful areas like San Harbor, Hidden Beach, Memorial Beach, and Kings Beach.

There are plenty of delicious dumplings to be found in Chinatown—but for a truly in-depth experience that ensures you’ll walk away with new culinary expertise, book a dumpling-making cooking class. With just your chef-guide and a small group for company, learn insider tips for flavorful filling and perfect pleats. At the end of class, savor your wagyu beef dumplings with a veggie side and a bonus sweet treat.

Learn the ins and outs of catching the perfect wave during a 2-hour surf lesson in La Jolla. Thanks to its holistic approach, the class is a great opportunity for everyone ranging from first-timers to advanced surfers. Advance your knowledge of surfing etiquette, techniques, safety, and more. Your instructor also teaches you how you can help ocean conservation to keep the waters safe for surfers and sea life alike.

Get hands-on instruction in surfing from a team of First Aid and CPR-certified surfers and lifeguards during this immersive, small-group workshop. Listen to an in-depth introduction on paddling techniques and wave identification, then hit the water yourself with guidance from a designated surf coach. Workshops include surfboards and wetsuits.

Visit the home of a Palm Springs local to enjoy culture and cuisine during a private Southwestern cooking class. Over a welcome drink, peruse and discuss your host's thoughtfully prepared menu and recipes. During the hands-on cooking class, learn how to prepare a 3-course meal of Southwestern dishes. Discover the culinary tips, tricks, and techniques your host has acquired over the years, before tucking into your tasty creations.

Learn how to hang ten with a surf lesson in Venice Beach. Before you head into the water, you’ll learn about board design and dynamics, ocean safety, surf etiquette, pop-up technique, and form. Plus, learn about California surf culture. The lesson includes all of the necessary equipment: surfboard and a wetsuit.