Top California Classes & Workshops - page 3

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.

Craft custom candles in a fun, hands-on workshop led by an experienced candle and soap artisan. Begin with an introduction to candle basics, including safety tips and fragrance options. Melt and mix wax to create your unique scent, and learn essential techniques for clean burns and strong scent throw.

Bring a towel and swimsuit down to Cass St in San Diego, and be ready to hang ten. Join this small group surf lesson with some of the best instructors in town to have a great time on the water. Surfing is one of San Diego’s most popular sports, so don’t have a chance to get out there and try it. After, the rest of the day is yours to explore as you like.

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.

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.

The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit. After 3+ years of construction, Elephant Valley is now officially open! Come immerse yourself in this incredible conservation habitat and meet a multi-generational herd of eight African savanna elephants.

Experience the beauty of Napa Valley with daily group wine tours from Napa. This full-day tour takes you to three premier wineries, with a professional driver guiding your group. Enjoy a fun and easy outing with fellow wine enthusiasts while savoring exceptional wines and stunning landscapes. Includes hotel transfers, a boxed lunch, and bottled water. Tasting fees extra.

Dinos Alive invites you to step into a captivating world of dinosaurs, where life-sized animatronic replicas bring these ancient giants back to life. This immersive experience features themed environments inspired by the Jurassic era, allowing guests to walk among iconic species like T-Rex and Velociraptor while exploring interactive exhibits designed for all ages. Young explorers can engage in paleontology activities in the Budding Experts area, while the Virtual Aquarium showcases prehistoric marine life. With optional virtual reality experiences available, this adventure combines fun and education, making it an unforgettable experience for families and dinosaur enthusiasts alike.

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.

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.

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.

If you've always wanted to try surfing, San Diego is the perfect place to start with a private half-day adult lesson at the San Diego Surf School. Learn important surf basics like etiquette, wave selection, and safety, then get out into the Pacific Ocean to try catching your first waves. A surfboard, wetsuit, and rash guard are included, so all you need to bring is a stoked attitude.

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.

Explore stunning San Francisco by bike with pre-booked bicycle rentals. Choose from two-hour, half-day, and full-day options, and pick up your bicycle right in the center of the city. Maps are included, plus a basket, helmet, and bike lock, leaving you free to get down and explore.

Discover San Francisco at your own pace with a full-day standard or electric bike rental. Start your self-guided adventure at Fisherman's Wharf and easily pedal past all the sites on the top of your list: visit crooked Lombard Street, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, or even ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. This rental allows you to create your itinerary as you explore the beloved City by the Bay.

Los Angeles's Chinatown is a fascinating place, especially as the shadows of night descend upon the neighborhood. Neon-lit architecture throws strange light and eerie shadows on the streets, creating a spooky atmosphere—perfect for a paranormal adventure led by an expert ghost hunter. Equipped with paranormal tools, your guide will take you through the area to unveil supernatural elements, haunting stories, and the undeniable chill-factor that lurk among the streets. Conclude with mystical ceremony to honor the spirits, ensuring a safe departure.

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.

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 the basics of surfing with a beginner lesson that takes place at picturesque Stinson Beach. Your instructor provides a 2-hour lesson that covers fundamentals such as water safety, wave dynamics, paddling skills, surfboard positioning, stand-up and riding techniques, and surfing etiquette. Stinson Beach is located within a 1-hour drive of San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, making it convenient for both locals and visitors.

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.

For a one-of-a-kind meal in San Diego you won't find any restaurant, join a local chef in her home for an Indian fusion cooking class. This private, hands-on culinary experience starts with a lesson in authentic Indian cooking techniques as you help prepare a 3-course menu using fresh ingredients. Connect with both Californian and Indian-American culture as you cook together, and then sit down to share the meal with your friendly host and instructor.

Ghirardelli Square is on the north-central tip of San Francisco near Fort Mason, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Marina District. Rather than taking a guided tour of these attractions, explore the area (or farther afield) at your own pace with this full-day bike rental from the square. Travelers receive a color-coded map for easy exploration and can rent e-bikes, tandems, and kids’ bikes.

Learn the rock-climbing basics against the one-of-a-kind backdrop of Joshua Tree National Park's otherworldly scenery: this small-group, beginner-friendly tour makes climbing accessible. In the morning, make your own way to the Joshua Tree Visitor Center, meet your guide, and get ready to explore. You'll get acquainted with the park's famed climbing options when you attempt to scale a granite rock face. First-hand guidance, support, and equipment are all provided.

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.