Top California Food & Drink Classes - page 2

Learn how to make your own Shanghaineese dumplings from scratch in this interactive cooking class in the heart of San Francisco. Make dumpling dough using Chef Edmund's family recipe, and master the art of folding with precision as you create delicious dumplings filled with your choice of an American Wagyu, local organic pork or tofu stuffing. No pre-made skins will be used and you'll take home a recipe guide at the end. Afterward, experience umami by tasting Chef's favorite sauces and creating your own secret dumpling dipping sauce. Savor a delicious three-course meal, featuring your handmade dumplings and local ingredients. Perfect for food lovers and those looking to connect over a shared culinary experience.

Discover a bright, social cocktail experience that feels distinctly San Francisco. Hosted inside Gold Bar Distillery’s 1930s Art Deco Pan Am hangar on Treasure Island, this hands-on class pairs creative mixology with sweeping views of the Bay and San Francisco skyline. The experience highlights Pacific House Gin, crafted by Gold Bar Distillery and known for its vibrant botanicals, fresh citrus, and smooth, approachable character. Guests shake, stir, and garnish three colorful cocktails while learning how botanicals shape flavor and balance. One of the moments guests love most is seeing the first cocktail come together, a bright, beautifully balanced drink they just made themselves. Even guests who normally don’t reach for gin often leave surprised by how refreshing and enjoyable these cocktails can be. Getting here is easy, including a scenic six-minute ferry ride from the San Francisco Ferry Building. Pacific House Gin is the Official Gin of Bay FC.

South Lake Tahoe can be slammed with tourists at any time of the year. Avoid the masses on land by prebooking this Emerald Bay helicopter tour. Take off from South Lake Tahoe and fly above the area to see main highlights such as Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, Pope Beach, and Taylor Creek. Learn about Emerald Bay as you fly with live commentary provided.

Roll with it in this unforgettable sushi fusion class at a local Los Angeles venue with Chef Cici, You’ll get hands-on as you learn the art of sushi-making, starting with perfecting seasoned rice and mastering those iconic nori wraps. Then, create two flavor-packed rolls: a classic crab roll with avocado and fish roe, and a crispy sweet potato roll with cream cheese and avocado for the ultimate sweet-savory combo. Whether you're a sushi-rolling pro or a curious first-timer, this relaxed, beginner-friendly class serves up good vibes, great bites and maybe even your new favorite roll.

Tasting some of the best food in Los Angeles isn't just about experiencing the local cuisine, but learning about the dynamic food culture that's emerging in Downtown LA. On this foodie-friendly walking tour, you taste creations at a few standout downtown eateries. Start walking from Pershing Square, enjoy your guide's live narration about LA and Hollywood history, and hear about the local food scene while you explore.

For travelers seeking a peaceful and meaningful way to experience Santa Barbara, this guided Cha Dao tea ceremony offers a moment to slow down, reconnect, and be fully present. Hosted in a serene setting, your experience begins with an introduction to the art of Cha Dao — the “Way of Tea” — where mindfulness, simplicity, and presence come together through the ritual of tea. Your tea master brings over a decade of experience serving tea around the world, along with a rich creative background as a multi-instrumentalist, poet, and world traveler. Whether it’s your first tea ceremony or a familiar practice, guests are gently guided into a calm and reflective atmosphere that invites stillness, curiosity, and gratitude. Many visitors leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and deeply connected to the moment. After the ceremony, there will be time to relax, reflect, and share insights from the experience together — creating space for both personal integration and meaningful connection.

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.

This hands-on cooking class with Chef Daniel in Mission Bay offers a unique opportunity for travelers to learn the art of making fresh stuffed pasta. The class will focus on creating Tortelloni with Spinach and Ricotta, a classic stuffed pasta dish that is sure to impress. Using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients, this class is perfect for anyone looking to expand their culinary skills and take their cooking to the next level. The experience is made even more unique by the beautiful location of Mission Bay, which provides a serene and picturesque setting for the class. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, Chef Daniel's pasta cooking class is a fun and informative way to explore the world of fresh pasta and take home a new skill.

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.

Trade an ordinary night out for melted chocolate, creative candy-making and unforgettable memories in this hands-on cooking class with Chef Alexis. Hosted at a stylish venue in the Bay Area near some of the region’s vibrant food and arts scenes, this experience transforms classic chocolate treats into an interactive culinary adventure. Begin by learning the foundations of chocolate work, from properly melting chocolate to creating smooth textures and beautiful molded candies. Under Chef Alexis’ step-by-step guidance, you’ll craft personalized chocolate candy creations filled with decadent ingredients like fruit, nuts, cocoa powder, butter and nostalgic s’mores fillings. You’ll experiment with flavor combinations, textures and decorative finishes while discovering approachable techniques that make homemade chocolate feel achievable and fun. Expect plenty of tasting, laughter and rich chocolate aromas as you create edible souvenirs that are almost too beautiful to eat.

If you fancy yourself a foodie or culture enthusiast, don’t miss this walking tour of San Francisco’s Little Italy—the neighborhood of North Beach. Voted one of the 15 best foodie tours in the USA by U.S. News, join an insider guide and experience a slice of the top things to do in North Beach, such as tasting coffee and witnessing bread being freshly made. Soak up the lively atmosphere of one of the city’s most popular districts as you learn about its cafes and bakeries and see landmarks like Saints Peter and Paul Church.

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 a guided tasting of teas sourced from a 100-year-old farm in Uji, Japan. Explore a range of flavors—from traditional matcha to a dessert-style matcha—in a relaxed, approachable setting. This unique activity blends authentic tea culture with a casual vibe, making it perfect for team building, group outings, or a fun activity with friends. Please note the minimum group is 7 and maximum is 15 guests.

This 90-minute experience offers the rare chance to create a premium skincare product from scratch using fresh goat milk right from our own resident herd. It’s a completely beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop where you are guided through the entire process—from choosing custom scents and colors to pouring the mold. Best of all, it seamlessly blends an interactive studio craft with a relaxing, outdoor meet-and-greet with our friendly miniature dairy goats, sending you home with a giant 3lb loaf of custom soap perfect for sensitive skin.

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.

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

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.

Pizza with real Italian pedigree – this hands-on class in Los Angeles, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs, is led by a professional pizzaiola trained in wood-burning oven technique. You choose your classic and gourmet toppings; she teaches you how to build the dough that holds it all together. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Classic Pizza – choose from Pizza Margherita or Pizza Marinara - Gourmet Pizza – choose from Arugula with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella bites or Parmigiana You will leave with a deep understanding of authentic Italian pizza technique – from dough to toppings – and the confidence to recreate it at home. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

Skip the jarred sauce routine and learn how pasta night is actually supposed to taste. In this relaxed Bay Area cooking class with Chef Alexis, you’ll make fresh pasta from scratch using simple ingredients and techniques that are easier than they look. You’ll begin by mixing flour, eggs, salt and pepper into a smooth pasta dough, then learn how to knead, roll and shape it by hand. Chef Alexis guides you through each step, sharing useful techniques for working with dough, improving texture and cooking fresh pasta properly. Next, you’ll prepare a classic red sauce with tomatoes, garlic, onion and butter, creating a rich, comforting flavor that pairs perfectly with your handmade noodles. The atmosphere stays social and low-pressure, making it easy to learn while enjoying good conversation and plenty of hands-on cooking. The reward is a plate of fresh pasta made entirely by you, plus a kitchen skill that feels far more impressive than saying, “I ordered takeout.”

Discover the art of pasta-making in an intimate Los Angeles kitchen guided by a top-rated chef. Limited to a small group, this class blends approachable recipes with authentic Italian techniques. The menu you will prepare includes: - Chef-prepared appetizer - Handmade spaghetti and fettuccine with sauce pairings such as ragù, tomato, mushroom-sausage or sautéed vegetables - Chef-prepared dessert celebrating Italian traditions With hands-on guidance, you’ll knead, roll and shape pasta while exploring both classic and seasonal flavors.

Put down the boxed pasta and get your hands into the dough. At a laid-back local brewery in San Diego, you’ll learn the satisfying basics of handmade Italian pasta while enjoying a relaxed setting where you can bring beer or wine to sip along the way. Begin with flour, eggs and extra virgin olive oil, mixing and kneading until you have a smooth pasta dough. You’ll learn how to roll the dough thin and cut it into fettuccine, building practical techniques you can recreate at home. Then turn your attention to fresh marinara, combining canned tomatoes, garlic and dried Italian seasoning into a rich, savory sauce. Toss the freshly made noodles with the sauce and dig into your finished meal while the satisfaction of making pasta from scratch sinks in. With Chef Adriana’s 18 years in the culinary industry behind the instruction, the class stays approachable, hands-on and genuinely fun!

Your dumpling era starts with a mixing bowl and a stack of wrappers. At a casual San Diego brewery, you’ll combine ground pork, shrimp paste and fresh chives to create a savory filling, then learn how to fold and shape Chinese dumplings without stressing over perfect pleats. You’ll get hands-on practice with each step, making the process approachable even if you’ve never folded a dumpling before. While your dumplings cook, you’ll whip up a sweet-savory dipping sauce using soy sauce, honey, sesame oil and rice vinegar. Then you’ll work with the remaining pork-and-shrimp filling to create shumai-style dumplings, learning a second shape and technique. Once everything is cooked, enjoy your freshly made meal. It’s hands-on, social and just messy enough to be fun — especially when that first dumpling actually holds together.

Discover how to balance sweet, savory and spice in a comforting Thai classic. In this interactive class, Chef Lina breaks down the essential techniques behind restaurant-quality Thai chicken yellow curry. Start by learning how to properly bloom curry paste and build layers of flavor before adding chicken, potatoes, carrots and onion. Then, stir in creamy coconut milk and adjust the seasoning with palm sugar and fish sauce for perfect harmony. As your curry develops depth, prepare jasmine rice to complement the bold sauce. Chef Lina offers personalized guidance throughout, ensuring you leave confident recreating this vibrant dish at home. With hands-on instruction, premium ingredients and a full meal included, this Sacramento cooking experience delivers both technique and unforgettable flavor in every bite.

Making authentic Neapolitan pizza is far more satisfying than arguing over which toppings to order. In this interactive cooking class with Chef Ben, you'll discover how a handful of simple ingredients can become an incredible homemade pizza using traditional Italian techniques. Chef Ben's friendly teaching style makes the process fun whether you've never made dough before or you're ready to perfect your pizza game. You'll learn how to prepare, knead and stretch fresh pizza dough by hand before building a classic Neapolitan-style pizza with carefully selected toppings. Along the way, Chef Ben shares professional tips on dough texture, shaping techniques and baking methods that create the signature light crust with beautifully blistered edges. Every step is hands-on, approachable and designed to give you the confidence to recreate authentic pizza from scratch whenever the craving strikes.