Top California Outdoor Activities - page 5

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.

Immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of Yosemite National Park on this 2-day overnight adventure from San Francisco. Explore highlights of Yosemite Valley, hike among Giant Sequoias, photograph the spectacular views from Glacier Point, and swim or bike around the base of Yosemite Falls. Enjoy a mix of guided activities and free time to explore the famous park on your own, and stay overnight either in the heart of Yosemite Valley or at a nearby lodge.

Renting a swan boat is a fun way to exercise and explore the Rainbow Lagoon at the same time. If your rental is on a hot day—no need to worry about the California sunshine, as each boat comes with shaded canopies to protect you from the elements. Choose from a variety of time slots to suit your schedule—you can even go for an atmospheric evening ride with LED lights on your boat.

Explore Yosemite National Park at your own pace with a private self-guided driving audio tour that removes the need for group schedules or guides. GPS-based narration plays automatically as you drive, helping you understand the park’s landscapes, viewpoints, and history without constant planning. The tour works offline once downloaded and offers lifetime access, making it a flexible option for any visit.

Admire views of San Diego that many other visitors miss—and help keep your sightseeing personal—on this small-group sailing excursion that's timed for sunset. Travel aboard a Catalina–style sailboat, and soak up the peaceful ambiance, plus a photo-worthy perspective on the city skyline, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Coronado Island, and other highlights. Along the way, enjoy beer, soft drinks, and snacks, plus blankets in case you get cold.

Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific without waiting in long lines with this reserved entry ticket. Get ahead of your vacation planning and prebook your admission before you set foot in Long Beach. Enjoy access to the marine life and animal displays included with general admission, with the opportunity to see sharks, lorikeets, and penguins.

See what lives in the Pacific waters surrounding Catalina Island on a 45-minute underwater cruise. As you sit comfortably in a climate-controlled cabin on board a large boat, you'll glide five feet (1.5 meters) below the surface to look for marine life in their natural habitat out of your own porthole. Along the way, listen to live commentary from a guide.

Enjoy easy skip-the-line access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid ticket. Walk right in to explore the museum's 4-story rainforest, planetarium, and aquarium, plus the new Tiny Chef, Big Impact exhibit celebrating small actions for the planet.

Sunset is one of the best times to explore Lake Tahoe, but if you’re not familiar with the trails, you can easily get lost. Let an expert guide lead you so you don’t have to worry about the route so you can focus on the beautiful scenery and sunset instead. Your guide can show you where to take the best photos and be on hand to take creative photos of you.

See Lake Tahoe from a whole new perspective on a small-group guided tour in clear kayaks. Follow your lifeguard-certified guide and paddle around Lake Tahoe's scenic East Shore from Sand Harbor to hidden coves and highlights such as Bonsai Rock. On hot days, you can even take a dip in the waters to cool off while you soak up the scenery.

Experience the majesty of Northern California’s coastal Sequoia trees, and enjoy a hassle-free way to explore, on this half-day tour from San Francisco. After boarding your vehicle, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and straight to Muir Woods. Benefit from included admission tickets and free time to explore some of the tallest redwood trees at your own pace. Then stop for lunch in Sausalito (own expense) before returning to the city via bus.

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.

Set sail from Oceanside during a whale watching excursion led by a certified naturalist guide. Board a comfortable 50-foot (15-meter) catamaran with covered areas for seating and cruise along San Diego’s coastline to spot whales and other marine life, getting as close as possible without disturbing them. Plus, choose from multiple departures to easily fit this whale watching tour into your schedule.

Glide across San Francisco Bay with unlimited mimosas and Champagne on this weekend brunch cruise. Perfect for both locals and visitors, this boat trip offers a new perspective on the city. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz Island, and see the city skyline from the deck. As you float along, enjoy a generous, fresh buffet and onboard music to keep the mood festive.

Discover life under the surface of the Pacific Ocean on a glass-bottom boat tour from Catalina Island. Board your vessel in Avalon at Float B on the Green Pleasure Pier and enjoy views of colorful fish, coral, and other sea life while you sail. Listen to commentary from your captain about the local ecology and enjoy a relaxing time on this boating adventure.

Go sightseeing on the waters of San Diego Bay during this cruise that provides a delicious seated brunch of seasonal dishes accompanied by unlimited Champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider. After enjoying a lavish plated brunch dish, stay at your private table or head outside to the open air for sunshine and sightseeing.

Follow your guide on the easiest route to reach the Hollywood Sign on this narrated walking tour. All ages are welcome, so bring the entire family. Make sure your cameras are charged for taking shots of views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Beach, the Hollywood Reservoir, the Hollywood Sign itself, and much more. Ask your guide for any other LA tips if you like, too.

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.

Get the chance to seek out whales in the wild on this tour from Dana Point. Enjoy live narration from your experienced captain as you watch for whales, sea lions, and dolphins, and learn about the stunning diversity of marine life that flocks to the California coast. Listen to the distinctive calls of seabirds from a seat on deck, or relax by a window in the fully-enclosed cabin.

Most Hollywood tours take place during the day, when the sun’s rays are strongest and landmarks don’t photograph well. On this small-group sunset tour, venture out just before dusk, just as the weather cools and the sky turns pink. Hit up hotspots such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, then escape the crowds for a scenic hike through the Hollywood Hills, offering views of the LA skyline and Hollywood Sign.

See the towering sequoias and dramatic landscape of Yosemite National Park on a day trip from San Jose that combines Yosemite highlights with free time to explore. Take in Half Dome, Inspiration Point, and El Capitan, and stand among the giant trees of Tuolumne Grove. With convenient, round-trip transport from San Jose and park entrance fees included, you can focus on the views and watch for wildlife along the way.

Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing on the San Diego pier, with none of the hassle of renting equipment or lugging around poles. An expert fishing instructor brings all the gear, bait, and tackle you need and offers pro tips to get started and increase your chances of catching fish, rays, and even small sharks right from the Pacific Ocean.

On this San Francisco bike tour, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and soak up stunning views of the San Francisco Bay. The guided tour takes you to the artsy town of Sausalito, where you have free time to explore. Return to the city at your leisure (either bike back or purchase a ferry ticket). This tour includes the use of a classic bike or electric bike for the full day.

Cover more of Santa Barbara than you ever could on foot on an electric bike tour. Ride your easy-to-use beach cruiser to landmarks such as State Street and the Santa Barbara Mission as your guide shares stories you won't find in the guidebook. Have your camera ready as you glide along the renowned Pacific coastline. Group numbers are capped, ensuring personalized attention and a small-group experience.