Top California Walking Tours - page 2

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.

Sophisticated and glamorous, Carmel-By-The-Sea sits on the Pacific just two hours south of San Francisco. The town isn’t all ritz, though—11 fairytale cottages line the hilly streets like something from a children’s book. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll escape the crowds and explore the houses at your pace, led by a knowledgeable guide right in your pocket.

Make the most of limited time in San Diego by combining two experiences in one—a food–themed walking tour and a trip to Coronado Island. Led by a guide, discover local eateries and foodie hot spots you might miss otherwise—such as an award-winning taco shop and bites at a fish market. Conveniently, round-trip ferry transfers to Coronado Island are included, as well as all your food tastings along the way.

Discover parts of the Catalina Island Casino that few visitors get to see with this backstage tour. The casino symbolizes the glamorous era of Santa Catalina Island and is home to art deco murals. Watch a brief film about the building's history and connection to Hollywood, and see the 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows movies on its large screen.

Petco Park is known for being the home of the baseball team the San Diego Padres and this behind-the-scenes tour gives you access to areas of the park that you wouldn't be able to get if just visiting to watch a game. See exclusive areas such as the Press Box, the Private Luxury Suite, and the Major League Dugout, and learn about past players as your walk past the Hall of Fame areas.

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).

Venture south of the border from San Diego to explore the Mexican border city of Tijuana in a safe and engaging way. Tijuana can be somewhat daunting for tourists, but a local guide shows you around, from historic landmarks like the Tijuana Arch and Avenida Revolucion to shopping hotspots like the El Popo market, where you can pick up handmade Mexican souvenirs.

Enjoy educational sightseeing and delicious tastings in one tour with the help of your guide. Explore San Francisco’s Chinatown, Little Italy, and North Beach, sampling coffee, dumplings, gelato, and a few surprises as you go. Learn all about the area’s history while you walk, from the California Gold Rush to the Godfather.

Savor the best of Sonoma’s cuisine on a food tour in the heart of California wine country. Sample locally-made wines and artisanal cheeses as you stroll Sonoma’s historic downtown with a foodie guide, then try fine chocolates and olive oil at chic, cutting-edge boutiques. Soak up the latest flavors at six curated tasting stops along a relaxed, route and get an insider’s perspective on Sonoma’s gourmet culture. Learn the stories behind the region’s culinary legends, thriving vineyards, and remarkable artisanal renaissance.

Avoid the hassle of following maps and explore San Francisco in a much more fun way—by joining a small-group tour. The itinerary helps you learn about the history of the city with stops at interesting locations—such as Nob Hill, San Francisco City Hall, and The Castro, and Lombard Street. To help you save time and zip around the city with ease, the route includes travel by cable car, Metro, and historic streetcar.

While San Diego may be famous for its sunshine, the city also has a dark side lurking beneath the surface. Uncover the hidden history of gangsters, gunslingers, ghosts, and ladies of the night on an entertaining walking tour through the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter. It's the only haunted history tour in San Diego that actually goes inside buildings for a closer look at what goes bump in the night (pending COVID restrictions).

Explore Tijuana, Mexico, without getting lost on this day trip from San Diego, a great choice for first-time visitors. Visit cultural attractions, sample authentic Mexican street food at a sidewalk taco stand, and do some shopping and sightseeing. Opt to walk or take public transportation and experience the city like a local. Your guide can suggest stops and adapt the itinerary to fit the needs of the group.

Enjoy a curated journey through space and time at the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles's gateway to the stars. This tour, designed by former observatory employees, explores the highlights of the large exhibition space, covering the observatory's science, history, architecture, and movie trivia. What's more, your ticket includes a planetarium show with live narration.

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.

Combine the glamour and glitz of Hollywood with some dark lore on this haunted Hollywood tour. With a guide in the lead, you'll visit some of the most haunted locations in the area, listening to tales you won't hear on a typical Hollywood tour. Talk about local crimes, accidents, and traumas that have taken place at some famous locations, including theaters, hotels, and a high school.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

An active way to explore the highlights of Los Angeles, you can enjoy an immersive experience during this walking tour. Explore the Historic Core, Little Tokyo, the Civic Center, and Bunker Hill, uncovering the rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture of each unique block. Led by local guides, this tour goes beyond the surface to reveal the true essence of downtown LA.

Known for its steep granite cliffs, waterfalls, towering sequoia groves, and diversity of wildlife, Yosemite National Park is something you don’t want to miss. On this small group day trip, you can leave the logistics to a tour guide so all you have to do is enjoy the great outdoors. You have both guided sightseeing and free time, ensuring you see the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s major attractions, like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite Valley, with the chance to explore more of the park however you wish.

Of all the baseball stadiums in MLB, San Francisco's Oracle Park has perhaps the best location—a waterfront perch right on San Francisco Bay. This private behind-the-scenes tour provides access to places only VIPs and players are usually allowed, including the dugouts and press box, with gratuities included.

Immerse yourself in the world-class art collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum on a private, expertly guided tour tailored to your group’s interests. Skip the guesswork as your guide leads you to the museum’s greatest masterpieces—whether you want an overview of renowned highlights or a focused exploration of a specific period such as Renaissance, Baroque, Decorative Arts, or Impressionism. Enjoy in-depth commentary and learn the fascinating stories behind the works.

Watch for whales and dolphins off Newport Beach aboard a double-decker catamaran with bow seating and 360-degree views. A diverse array of marine wildlife thrives in the protected area just outside Newport Bay, and you'll have the chance to see humpbacks, gray whales, finback whales, blue whales, seals, and several species of dolphins. The boat has a 96% success rate spotting whales or dolphins, making this a great way to explore California wildlife in a gorgeous natural environment.

San Francisco's rollicking, rags-to-riches history has left plenty of haunted happenings in its wake, so explore the city's more sinister side on a walking ghost tour. Visit some of San Francisco's most historic and allegedly haunted locations on and around Nob Hill, once the epicenter of San Francisco high society. Learn trivia and hidden history that you won't find in any guidebook on this ghoulishly fun, after-dark adventure.

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.

Join this group walking tour that takes you all the way to the Hollywood sign in a short amount of time. You’ll still get a great walk in, with a few photo spots with great views thrown in there too. Your guide will tell you loads of stories about Tinsel Town and what makes Hollywood the special place it is. Meet your guide and group at the designated spot, and start your hike to the famous Hollywood sign. Note: parking is not available Friday-Sunday and on holidays; guests must arrive and depart by taxi or rideshare.