Top California Half-day Tours - page 2

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.

California’s Muir Woods National Monument and its towering old-growth redwood trees sit just north of San Francisco. With this tour, save an estimated two hours searching for parking or waiting at the visitor center’s long lines, and explore the protected area at your own pace. This leaves enough time for your quick stop at the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, plus free time in Sausalito.

Cycle along San Francisco’s waterfront—and enjoy some of the city's most scenic views—on this guided bike tour. Pass Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic Presidio, cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and admire Alcatraz Island and the Pacific Ocean. After arriving in charming Sausalito, take your time exploring before catching the ferry (additional expense) back to San Francisco. With a one-day bike rental, you can continue your adventure at your own pace.

If you’re a foodie visiting San Diego and you’re looking for a shortcut to the city’s tastiest eats, then this is it. Head off on a guided food journey with commentary from your guide, and best of all—all tastings included. Potential dishes to try include fish tacos, melt burgers, specialty coffee, burritos, and more.

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.

Los Angeles is filled with must-see landmarks, from the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Rodeo Drive and the legendary Sunset Strip. But sights are spread out, and finding parking can be challenging. Skip the stress of getting around on your own on this small-group sightseeing tour, which ticks off the highlights in just half a day. Ride around by air-conditioned private vehicle, soaking up the sights without stressing over driving.

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from numerous productions on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Immerse yourself in Yosemite National Park's natural landscape on this full-day, small-group guided trip. Capture images of soaring rock walls and craggy peaks, then hike to Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Falls. Spot rock climbers on El Capitan, watch for deer in alpine meadows, and enjoy the timeless beauty of California’s High Sierra mountains. Perfect for nature lovers and those who want to spend time exploring one of the US's most notable national parks.

With an abundance of restaurants in San Diego’s Little Italy, it can sometimes be hard to differentiate between the tourist traps and the authentic local gems. Avoid the guesswork and get great local advice with this guided food tour. As well as having delicious tastings along the way—the tour is also a great way to learn about the architecture and history of the local area.

In just four hours, experience the scenic highlights of San Diego and its neighboring areas. Watch sea lions and pelicans on the beaches of La Jolla and capture fantastic views from the top of Mt Soledad. Soak up the Old World elegance of the mansions and Hotel Del on Coronado Island, and find peace in the urban oasis of Balboa Park. Wind through downtown and Old Town San Diego, learning about the city’s history along the way. Enjoy personalized attention on this small-group tour limited to just 14 people.

Secure two top San Francisco activities with a single booking, combining an Alcatraz Island visit with a same-day Golden Gate Bridge boat cruise. If time is limited, coordinating the two experiences can be a challenge. This double ticket takes the hassle out of planning, featuring a self-guided audio tour of Alcatraz and a waterfront cruise with the chance to spot San Francisco Bay marine wildlife in a natural environment.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this small-group walking tour. Explore local markets and savor tastings that add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, crispy Peking duck, and other specialties. Listen to guided commentary and ask questions as you discover the neighborhood's rich culture and flavors.

Explore the culinary delights of Carmel, just down the coast from Monterey, on this food and drink walking tour. With a knowledgeable foodie guide, you’ll learn about the history and gourmet culture of Carmel, an upscale enclave known for its charming architecture and cozy, small-town vibe, as you visit local eateries to sample locavore and ethnic dishes, chocolate, and cocktails or spirits. Limited to 16 people, this tour provides a small-group experience with personalized attention.

Enjoy an intimate experience and avoid the tourist traps on this fully customizable, half-day wine tour of Napa and Sonoma. Select your favorite wineries, see lesser-known sights, or let your guide suggest highlights suited to your preferences. Indulge in wine tastings and lunch (own expense), or take advantage of the stunning scenery for a photo or two.

Explore the Northern California redwoods on this half-day tour of Muir Woods. Departing from Fisherman’s Wharf, your guide drives you over the Golden Gate Bridge in a comfortable luxury mini-bus to Muir Woods National Monument. Crane your neck to admire these trees standing 260 feet (80 meters) tall. Enjoy free time to hike among the coastal redwoods. Upgrade to take the ferry from Sausalito, or add a Big Bus combo for a 24-hour hop-on hop-off city tour with a digital Chinatown walking tour.

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.

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.

California’s best wines aren’t only from Napa—on this tour, you’ll experience the wonderful wines of Temecula across three of the region’s best vineyards. You’ll start the sipping at a boutique hotspot with great views, grab lunch at your second winery, and finish with live music and a production tour, where you can sample wines so fresh they’ve yet to be bottled. When in Temecula!

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.

Experience Muir Woods National Monument and the quaint waterfront town of Sausalito on a half-day tour. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge on a guided day trip that includes pickup in a convenient location in downtown San Francisco, transportation, and National Park entrance fees. Enjoy free time among the ancient redwoods, then explore Sausalito at your own pace before returning to San Francisco by vehicle or by ferry (separate expense).

Enjoy a sailing adventure on a Catalina-style sailboat with just six people aboard for a comfortable, small-group experience (or, find five friends and fill up the whole boat). Sail in San Diego Harbor, and look out for top city attractions, from Coronado to the USS Midway. Sit back and relax, and enjoy the views, all while enjoying complimentary beer, hard seltzer, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks.

Get an overview of San Francisco's city sights and its nearby nature in one convenient tour. Learn about the city's neighborhoods from a Bay Area local, discovering spots you might otherwise miss. See the stunning redwood trees in Muir Woods National Monument, snap photos at Golden Gate Bridge, and enjoy free time to explore the waterfront at Sausalito.

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.

Have dinner with panoramic city views on a San Francisco Bay supper club cruise. Spend time on the water with the twinkling city skyline as your backdrop. Take in the views and enjoy the sea breeze on the exterior decks, cut loose on the dance floor with a DJ spinning top 40 hits, and enjoy a buffet dinner with classic American and international dishes on the menu.