Top California Wildlife Encounters

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.

Cruise off the coast of Orange County in search of whales on this excursion from Newport Beach. Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signals indicate that humpback, minke, grey, finback, or giant blue whales are nearby. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.

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.

Discover the natural wonders around the San Diego coastline with a marine biologist as your guide on this small-group tour. The guide, who’s got experience teaching middle and high school marine biology for over a decade, tells you all about the sea creatures and critters you’ll spot in their natural habitat—from what they eat to how you can better protect them.

The Alpaca Walking Adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with these charming creatures in the stunning Carmel Valley. Begin your journey with a mini-lecture about alpacas, discovering their origins, biology, and how their fleece is utilized. After meeting your alpaca buddy, embark on a one-mile scenic hike through a tree-lined trail, stopping to interact with the alpacas and enjoy breathtaking views of the neighboring 2,000-acre ranch. Pause to interact with your alpaca, learn some fun tricks, snap plenty of selfies, while enjoying provided snacks and water. We then continue on to complete the trek in the pastures with alpacas, goats, and horses, ensuring a memorable day filled with knowledge and delightful moments.

Take an unforgettable boat ride in Monterey Bay to spot local marine wildlife, from humpback whales to Great white sharks to dolphins. This whale-watching adventure takes you to one of the best spots in the state to spot some of these majestic creatures. Sail over Monterey Bay Canyon, which is a nutrient-rich area known for attracting all kinds of underwater wildlife.

Go where cars can't and soak up the scenery of California wine country on a horseback ride in Sonoma County. With a guide, you'll have the chance to admire the vineyards of Dry Creek Valley and the waters of Lake Sonoma as you traverse the rolling wilderness on horseback. This experience takes you well beyond the beaten path and doesn't require any prior experience.

Take in panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline and Alcatraz Island, and sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, on a relaxing San Francisco Bay cruise. Sit indoors or savor cool bay breezes from an outdoor deck and experience San Francisco in a new way. This ticket allows you to skip the line and go straight to the gate. Access an audio guide via your smartphone or other device.

Combine an exhilarating harbor cruise or a whale watching adventure with a visit to the historic Battleship USS Iowa in this engaging Southern California bundle. Depart from San Pedro to witness marine life and iconic landmarks during a scenic 45-minute harbor tour or a more immersive 2.5-hour whale watching cruise. Explore the USS Iowa Museum at your own pace, where you can walk the decks of this storied battleship and learn about naval history through interactive exhibits. Access the Main Galley, Crew's Mess Hall and the Museum on the second deck. This tour is ideal for families and history enthusiasts looking for outdoor sightseeing and educational discovery. - Choose between a narrated Harbor Cruise or Whale Watching adventure - Explore the USS Iowa Museum with self-guided admission - Family-friendly experience suitable for all ages - Flexible timing allows exploration on the same or another day - USS Iowa Museum provides luggage storage if needed

Discover the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Enjoy early park entry and comfortable hotel pickup from major San Francisco hotels. Spot supersized natural wonders such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and sequoia groves, and spend several hours exploring the park’s wonders on your own. Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older pay an additional park entry fee.

San Diego provides the perfect launching point for a whale-watching tour in California. Cruise on the Pacific Ocean in a sturdy boat with a professional crew, looking for gray whales as they migrate along the coast of North America. Dolphins, seals and seabirds are often spotted during this whale-watching tour and the crew provides informative commentary about the marine animals and environment. Bonus: if the crew does not find any whales during your cruise, you receive a complimentary ticket for another trip.

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.

Learn the stories behind the Bay Area's most notorious former federal penitentiary on a fascinating “Escape from the Rock” cruise around Alcatraz. Listen to audio recordings via your own device, with stories from ex-prisoners and guards about daily life on “The Rock.” Admire views of other San Francisco Bay highlights—including the Golden Gate Bridge—en route. This admission ticket allows you to skip the line and go straight to the gate.

This experience is like no other! Enjoy a private brunch in the company of mini rescue burros on a ranch with hundreds of miles of untouched land behind you and beautiful views of Mt San Jacinto in front of you. You will arrive at our ranch and will be greeted by ranch mama Heather. Your brunch will be set up for you upon arrival and you will get to interact with the mini burros and enjoy your brunch in the beautiful surroundings. Our setup includes rattan floor chairs, a picnic blanket, custom picnic basket for six, a custom made picnic table with the cutest Business & Pleasure umbrella and a vintage Jai Alai game to play. You can hang out for the morning or afternoon for up to three hours. There is lots of hiking trails in the back that you can also take advantage of.

We offer private and semi-private encounters with wildlife emphasizing on intimate experiences. During the trip, we will be looking for the Great White Shark, but we often encounter whales, porpoises, dolphin, seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and sometimes even Killer Whales. Once on the boat in Monterey, guests are in a unique position, each guests 1 of the 6 comfortable seats on the boat to view a lot of different wildlife. Everyday is different, expect to have a good time seeing lots of different wildlife. Don't have a group, give us a call for individual trips

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.

Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

Peek behind the scenes at the California Academy of Sciences with VIP tickets to the Thursday NightLife—an adults-only event that proves museums aren’t just for kids. Sip cocktails and nibble hors d'oeuvres at a private reception, then go inside “The Vault” to see glittering gemstones and prehistoric treasures not on view to the general public. You’ll also take a walk on the wild side with express entry to the Osher Rainforest dome and get starry-eyed during a planetarium show.