Top California Half-day Tours

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.

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.

This small-group tour takes you from downtown San Francisco to Muir Woods and Sausalito—two of Marin's top attractions—in a single day. Riding across the Golden Gate Bridge in a tour van leaves you free to take in the epic views instead of focusing on the driving. You'll have free time to explore both sites, making this organized option a great choice for independent travelers.

Explore two of the Bay Area’s top destinations, Muir Woods and Sausalito, on a half-day tour from San Francisco. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument, where you have time to walk among towering old-growth redwood trees. Next, head to Sausalito for a stroll along the picturesque waterfront. Opt to remain on your own in Sausalito or return on the bus.

With a 99% success rate, this is how you up your odds of seeing whales on your visit to Monterey. On board one of the industry’s most comfortable boats, you’ll float out to a protected sanctuary to view humpback whales, gray whales, blue whales, killer whales, sperm whales, and other wild creatures, including dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, otters, and more.

See more of San Francisco without the hassle of navigating steep streets, traffic, or public transit on your own. This small-group tour combines comfortable transportation with expert commentary, making it easy to get oriented while exploring the city’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. Travel from Chinatown and North Beach to Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Presidio, Lombard Street, and the Golden Gate Bridge in a single outing.

Experience the best of Los Angeles, and make the most of your time, on a private day tour with your own guide and vehicle. Tailor the itinerary to your interests, skipping any stops you're not interested in. Get an insider’s glimpse of Tinseltown as you stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame, watch for celebrities as you tour Rodeo Drive and the city's exclusive neighborhoods, then take in views of the Hollywood sign and towering downtown skyscrapers.

Napa Valley’s rolling vineyards are best experienced in the open air. On this e-bike tour, you’ll glide through wine country, basking in the scenery with your local guide highlighting the way. Break for a stop at a local winery, where you’ll sip at your leisure before getting back on two wheels, heading wherever adventure takes you (that’s right, you can keep the bike for the rest of the day).

Ride a GoCar all over San Francisco as it navigates for you and provides a guided tour. Take as long as you like to explore the city with a storytelling car as your guide. Learn all about the city as you visit spots such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Warf, Golden Gate Park, and much more.

Sonoma County is famous for its local wines, but cellars are so thick on the ground that it can be a challenge to know which are worth your time. Take the guesswork out of your visit to this winemaking region with this tour that includes stops at 3-small production wineries in Sonoma Valley to taste local wines paired with charcuterie.

Join other wine lovers and your host for a day exploring three of Temecula’s best wineries. A different combination of wineries are selected according to time of year and events happening, so you can be sure of variety and a streamlined experience. Enjoy a delectable lunch at one vineyard, and there is a possibility of going behind the scenes at one winery.

Learn about the art of wine-and-food pairing as you embark on a walking tour through Healdsburg. Join a small group of food lovers and sample Sonoma’s best bottles and bites as you explore local venues. From local cheeses, jams, and unique dishes, each pairing makes you rethink the way you experience food and wine. Learn about the area's thriving culinary scene and hear the stories behind Sonoma’s family vineyards.

Paddle your way through California's flora and fauna on a whitewater rafting tour down the Truckee River—with a guide on-hand to provide help throughout. Begin with easy rapids as you pass by the scenery of the Tahoe National Forest, then build up to intermediate-level, Class III rapids and an exhilarating finish in the Floriston Gorge. On hot days, you can enjoy a swimming break in natural pools along the way.

Get an in-depth introduction to Los Angeles on this grand city tour. Ideal for first-time visitors and those with limited time, the tours start in downtown Los Angeles then continues to Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Hills.

Fly over Temecula Valley wine country in a hot air balloon, and see its vineyards, citrus groves, wineries, and estates at sunrise and from high above. Since hot air balloons drift with the wind, every flight is different, making this a unique way to experience the scenic region. Each flight ends with a celebration toast of sparkling wine, cider, or mimosas, to mark the outing as an occasion to remember.

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.

Discover California’s Paso Robles wine region on this full-day excursion. Take a tour through three of the region’s wineries. If you’d like, you can purchase tastings to sample the area’s wines as well as purchase bottles to take home. Learn what makes Paso Robles a great winemaking region and relax in the climate controlled vehicle between stops.

Soar above Sonoma and Napa on this award-winning hot air balloon tour, launching at sunrise from a private airport site. Glide peacefully over vineyards, canyons, and into Napa Valley, away from the crowds below. Enjoy sweeping views from the Mayacamas Mountains to the San Francisco skyline. Your all-inclusive experience features pre-flight snacks, stunning scenery, and a celebratory champagne toast, making it an unforgettable way to see wine country.

Discover two of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods without the guesswork of deciding where to eat or what to see. This small-group food tour combines cultural insights with generous tastings, helping you experience the traditions, flavors, and stories behind Chinatown and North Beach.

Skip the guesswork of finding the Mission District’s standout eateries on your own and discover the stories behind one of San Francisco’s most dynamic neighborhoods. This small-group food tour combines local insight with tastings that reflect the area’s diverse cultural influences, from Mission-style burritos and Italian sandwiches to clam chowder and a surprise specialty. Upgrade to a private tour for a more personalized experience.

Make the most of your time in San Francisco, and get ready to discover its top attractions all in one excursion: this private driving tour is designed as a comprehensive introduction to the city. Following pickup at your hotel, travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. You can look forward to seeing Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more—plus additional sights you’re most interested in.

Visit two of Los Angeles' glitziest neighborhoods, and immerse yourself in the city's history of movie magic, on this private, half-day tour. Pick from multiple departure times and meet your guide right on Hollywood Boulevard. You'll get up close and personal with the Hollywood Sign, will visit the Walk of Fame, will stop by Greystone Mansion and Park, will see celebrity homes and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and much more.

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.