Top California Day Trips

Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach

2 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

Visit Yosemite National Park without the hassle of planning a long day of driving or coordinating park logistics from San Francisco. Traveling in a small group, you'll journey through California’s Central Valley before exploring Yosemite Valley’s most famous sights, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. A stop among giant sequoias adds another iconic California landscape to the experience.

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

14 hoursFree Cancellation

Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

(4,054)

from $239

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Price varies by group size

(6,522)

from $99

Muir Woods and Sausalito Small Group Tour

5 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(948)

from $99

Monterey Bay Whale Watching

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(351)

from $70

Tour of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Beach with Hotel Pickup

See Los Angeles’ key neighborhoods and landmarks in one full-day tour designed to reduce planning and travel stress. With hotel pickup included, you can focus on the experience while a guide provides context and local insight along the way. This tour offers a practical overview of the city, moving efficiently from urban highlights to coastal areas, making it a strong choice for first-time visitors or short stays.

Tour of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Beach with Hotel Pickup

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(159)

from $95

Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops & Free Time

Los Angeles is filled with must-see landmarks, from the famous Hollywood sign to Santa Monica Pier. But neighborhoods are spread out, and it can be tough to make much progress with limited time to spare. Ideal for time-pressed travelers, this easy half-day tour covers the highlights by luxury bus. Depart from Hollywood or Santa Monica, and take in destinations like Rodeo Drive and Griffith Observatory without dedicating days to sightseeing.

Best of Los Angeles Guided City Tour with 4 Stops & Free Time

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Discover Yosemite is honored to have received Trip Advisors Traveler’s Choice award for being in the top 10% of activities in the World for each of the past two years. We go to great lengths and expense to assure an excellent experience for all who join us on our Yosemite Tours. If you are looking to enjoy the majesty and natural beauty of Yosemite National Park with an expert driver/guide who knows where to go, and how to get there and all about what you are seeing, join us for an unforgettable day in Yosemite. We’ll get you to the iconic viewpoints so you can capture the beauty of this Crown Jewel of National Parks with spectacular photos to commemorate your adventure. We include lunch, snacks and water on all our full-day tours, so you don’t have to take time out from seeing the sights to wait in line. Our vehicles are impeccably cleaned and rigorously maintained for your comfort and safety. Itinerary is subject to change due to weather or other conditions beyond our control.

(2,168)

from $69

Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour

9 hoursFree Cancellation

From the spectacular rocky ocean waves to the iconic towns, Highway 1 from San Francisco provides an experience you rarely find. This tour combines the best of California in one day. We begin in Monterey Bay, that has unparalleled sea life. You may even spot a whale! You will have time for coffee at Cannery Row. Next is the famous 17-Mile Scenic Drive (including a stop at golf resort Pebble Beach). There will be photo stops at the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Lovers Point or Point Pinos. We visit the beach town of Carmel, home to celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, where you can visit quaint shops, artisinal bakeries and coffee shops. Lastly, we will see the Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point, the iconic highlights of Big Sur. Depending on the time of the year, there may be a spectacular Northern California sunset over the ocean as we make our way back to San Francisco.

(772)

from $220

Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco

Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco

12 hoursFree Cancellation

(36)

from $193

This Los Angeles Highlights Full-Day Tour from Anaheim is a great choice for those who want to enjoy Southern California’s big theme parks but would also like to experience LA and all it has to offer, too. Travel from Anaheim resort area to stop at big attractions near LA such as Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, and Santa Monica.

Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica & Venice Tour from Anaheim

Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica & Venice Tour from Anaheim

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

Whale Watching Tour From Monterey

(385)

from $92

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(1,110)

from $75

San Diego: The Most Extensive City & Beach Tour

Spend 45 minutes at the historic Hotel Del Coronado.

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(221)

from $100

Sequoia National Park Small-Group Tour from Three Rivers

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Sonoma County Join-In Group Wine Tasting Tours

(178)

from $299

Dry Creek Valley in the summer in front of beautiful vineyards

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

Discover the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Enjoy early park entry and comfortable hotel pickup from major San Francisco hotels. Spot supersized natural wonders such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and sequoia groves, and spend several hours exploring the park’s wonders on your own. Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older pay an additional park entry fee.

(160)

from $148

El Capitan creates a striking backdrop for visitors photos on this day trip to Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco w Pickup

15 hoursFree Cancellation

4.4

(3,566)

from $224

Rolling hills, panoramic views vineyard in Napa Valley.

Napa Valley and Sonoma County are held in high regard for their vineyards and wineries. Make the most of what the area has on offer with a customizable transfer service to whisk you from place to place. Pick the wineries you want to visit, then sit back and relax as your private driver transports you there. The included concierge service helps you to select and book tastings (own expense)—so there's nothing to arrange yourself.

Fabulous Private Wine Tour of Napa & Sonoma: 2 to 5 People

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour

(61)

from $400

Per group

Special Offer

3 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

Napa Valley Small Group Winery Tour

7 hoursFree Cancellation

6 Hour Napa or Sonoma Valley Wine Tour by Private SUV

(1,047)

from $151

12 hoursFree Cancellation

(259)

from $390

Per group

Discover the highlights of Los Angeles on a small-group full-day tour from Anaheim. Visit famous movie and TV locales such as Hollywood's Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Stop for lunch at the farmer's market, then wind down your day at Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. Your small-group tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from hotels Anaheim Resort Area and Buena Park.

Anaheim to LA: Hollywood, Beaches & Famous Film Sites tour

9 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo

(901)

from $92

7 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

(815)

from $98

See the best of San Francisco in one day on this guided tour that includes all transportation and admission to Alcatraz. Visit multiple locations in the city, including Chinatown, Presidio, Fisherman's Wharf, and Haight-Ashbury, with plenty of stops for photo ops. Cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy a hike through the beautiful redwood trees in Muir Woods. If you've upgraded, take the ferry to Alcatraz Island, where you can explore with an award-winning audio-guided tour of the former federal prison.

San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Travel back to the old Wild West—and see a side of the region many other visitors miss—on this tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada. Start your day trip by minibus, driving part of the old Pony Express route. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a round-trip ride aboard the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad before enjoying free time in town.

(1,553)

from $119

Explore the Wild West: Virginia City and Carson City from Lake Tahoe

Wild West Day Trip to Virginia City from Tahoe with Train Ride

7 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(154)

from $80

Discover the beauty of California’s famed Central Coast wine region on an all-inclusive Santa Ynez wine tour from Santa Barbara. Relax in a luxury passenger van as breathtaking landscapes lead you to the Santa Ynez Valley, where you’ll enjoy exclusive tastings at three partner wineries. With lunch, snacks, and insights from a knowledgeable local guide included, this is more than a tour—it’s a curated wine experience.

Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive)

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

(234)

from $239

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Top Attractions in California

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Attractions

What are people saying about California

Melissa_G, Jul 2026

Pebble Beach guided electric bike tour

Perfect day to be on an e-bike and a perfect day to be at pebble beach! Valerie did a wonderful job providing not only the history of Pebble Beach but also information regarding whales and sea otters. Also learned about the tides, waves and underwater caves.

Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco

Kathryn_D, Jul 2026

Fantastic Big Sur trip

Our tour guide Derek was amazing! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire tour enjoyable and stress-free. We learned so much and had a fantastic time. Thank you for making our trip so memorable. Derek also offered to take our photos.Highly recommended!

Anaheim to LA: Hollywood, Beaches & Famous Film Sites tour

Renee_Z, Jun 2026

Incredible

Mike, our driver and tour guide, was incredibly friendly. He was soft spoken but could make light hearted jokes. The trip was clearly planned in advance and Mike was able to tell us some fun facts about each area to where we traveled. This was one of the most fun parts of our trip to Cali from Ohio. 🤩

Napa Valley Small Group Winery Tour

Matt_M, Jun 2026

The van/small bus we were...

The van/small bus we were in was very comfortable. We traveled to 3 different wineries. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the Napa Valley. The wineries were a great experience and we had a really nice group of people we were with on the tour.

San Francisco City Tour, Muir Woods & Sausalito: Half or Full Day

Lyndsey_R, Jun 2026

Great value

Our tour guide Per was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and interactive. He was so thorough and made the tour so interesting. The tour covered a little bit of everything that we wanted to see. Great value, especially if you’re limited on time and want to squeeze in as many sites as possible.

Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica & Venice Tour from Anaheim

Jocelynn_B, Jun 2026

A taste of LA!

Nate, our guide, was phenomenal! He answered all of our questions and had an incredible amount of knowledge about LA and the area - everything from the economy, pop culture, movies, and info about every location, all while navigating LA traffic like a seasoned pro! We had the best day in LA. We had a 13 year old, a 42 year old, and a 62 year old and we all had a blast.

Napa Valley Wine Train with Gourmet Lunch

Sheryl_J, Jun 2026

Bucket List Adventure

Our experience aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train exceeded every expectation. From the moment we stepped aboard, the atmosphere was elegant, relaxing, and full of charm. The scenic views of Napa Valley's beautiful vineyards created the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience. What truly stood out was the food. Every course was beautifully presented, fresh, and absolutely delicious. The flavors were exceptional, and it was clear that great care went into every detail of the meal. From the appetizers to dessert, each bite was a culinary delight that complemented the overall luxury experience. The staff provided outstanding service throughout the journey, making us feel welcomed and well cared for. The combination of breathtaking scenery, exceptional dining, and first-class hospitality made this a bucket-list experience that was well worth it. If you're looking for a unique way to experience Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Wine Train is a must. We created memories that will last a lifetime and can't wait to return.

6 Hour Napa or Sonoma Valley Wine Tour by Private SUV

Jennifer_S, May 2026

The BEST experience!

This was the best choice we made our entire trip! Erik is a top-tier driver and made great recommendations for lunch. We got to hear about the area as we drove through to different wineries too. This was absolutely an 11/10 experience that we will book again next time we are in wine country!

Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive)

Douglas_B, Feb 2026

Tour of Wine country

It is a delightful experience held in an idyllic location in California. The wines are varied and tour exposed us to a spectrum we might not otherwise have explored. The tour guide (Johan) was excellent; prompt, well informed, educational and a very good driver. Can’t think of a better way to spend five hours at a very equitable price.

San Diego: The Most Extensive City & Beach Tour

Scott_R, Sep 2025

Fantastic tour of SF in a VW camper van

This was a fantastic tour and our guide, Lily, was amazing. She skilfully drove the vehicle and spoke for two hours, providing amusing and entertaining facts about San Francisco. This was our fourth trip to SF, but we still learned so much and saw stuff we hadn’t seen before. Riding in a VW camper van was a great experience and really added to our enjoyment. Lily kindly offered to take our photos at the stops. Would recommend this tour highly.

From San Francisco: Guided Tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito

Danielle_K, Jul 2025

Definitely do this!

This was completely worth the money. Low key and no stress. Stop to take pics at Golden Gate Bridge, went to Muir Woods for an hour and a half and then free in Sausalito to explore. It was a perfect outing. Don’t eat at the cafe in Muir Woods. The kids working were rude and terrible cooks.