Top California Unique Experiences

Get wet while learning to surf in Santa Cruz, a picturesque coastal California town popular with surfers. Your 3-hour lesson starts with the basics of how to paddle out, pop up, balance, and catch a wave, along with surfing etiquette and understanding the ocean. Your instructor has you practice on the beach before accompanying you into a spot with small waves that are ideal for beginners. Includes all necessary equipment and instruction.

Experience the spine-chilling history of San Diego on this immersive ghost tour that takes you inside haunted locations. Travel aboard the Ghost Coach, a “coffin on wheels,” and visit eerie sites like the Gaslamp Museum, Horton Grand Hotel, and El Campo Santo Cemetery, guided by professional storytellers in costume. With authentic tales, haunted hotspots, and dark humor, this tour offers a thrilling blend of history and the supernatural.

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.

Hop on a '70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman's Wharf, this sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to '60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

Go beyond the movies and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind some of the world’s most beloved animated characters at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio, the museum brings Walt Disney’s life and creative legacy into focus through early cartoons, films, personal stories, and recordings in his own voice. Before you leave, take in sweeping views of San Francisco Bay from the museum’s glass-walled galleries.

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.

Pismo Beach is a surfing hot spot, with riders coming from all over California to catch a wave here. While you could just watch surfers from the shore, it’s much more fun to experience the thrill for yourself with a surf lesson. Instructors will guide you through the basics and get you out into the water. Plus, there’s no need to rent equipment with a surfboard and wetsuit included.

Uncover San Francisco’s haunted history on this thrilling ghost-hunting tour, complete with your own EMF detector. Explore eerie alleys, historic neighborhoods, and infamous sites like Gold Rush cemeteries and Chinatown’s old red-light district, while hearing chilling tales of paranormal activity, murders, and mysterious deaths. Perfect for thrill-seekers, this tour blends ghost stories with true crime and the city’s darker past.

Take a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this small-group tour by vintage Volkswagen bus, decorated with long eyelashes so you can't miss your tour vehicle. You'll pass by neighborhoods like Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, and Hayes Valley, plus see the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Civic Center, and more.

Immerse yourself in the SoCal lifestyle—and learn the basics of surfing in an accessible, hands-on way—with private surfing lessons. Choose from multiple convenient class times, and meet your instructor right on the legendary Venice Beach. With personalized guidance, you’ll learn the basics on the beach before grabbing your board and trying out your skills in the waves.

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.

Suitable for all ages and experience levels, this private surfing lesson in Newport Beach will teach you how to ride the waves. Surfboards and wetsuits are included, so you can simply show up and hit the water. Get a hands-on lesson from a professional instructor. Private tutorials can be adapted to all skill levels.

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.

Satisfy your taste buds on a food and walking tour of Venice Beach, an easy day trip for visitors staying in Los Angeles. In addition to sharing trivia and stories about the area’s history, your guide brings you to popular food stands as well as hidden gems loved by locals. A small group size ensures intimate food tastings, however, it’s also possible to choose an upgraded private tour option.

Remember your vacation in San Diego by having beautiful photos taken by a professional photographer. This flexible shoot gives you the freedom to either customize your route, or choose for a selection of set routes, such as Oceanside Pier, or Coronado. No need to worry about sharing the shoot with others—the experience is completely private, and you’ll receive 15–60 hi-res images in an online gallery.

Explore San Francisco with your camera on a half-day photography tour led by a photographer-guide. This tour provides time for photography at scenic locations like the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach, Palace of Fine Arts, and the Painted Ladies. Your guide understands a photographer’s needs, and focuses on places that offer a visually interesting perspective on the San Francisco Bay Area’s landmarks, varied landscape, and sunset.

Enjoy unique aerial views of San Francisco on this private guided airplane tour. Take in the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from above, among other city highlights, as you escape the hustle and bustle and head up into the air. Fly from the suburb of Hayward in a Cessna plane with a pilot-guide at the helm. They'll fill you in on the city's history and culture through guided commentary.

Put down the guidebook and experience the magic of Los Angeles from the perspective of a local with this private tour in a luxury minivan. Along the way, hear stories about famous sights, and stop off for plenty of great photo opportunities—such as the Hollywood Sign. As it's a private tour, the itinerary is customizable, and potential stops include Rodeo Drive, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Sunset Strip.

Get an intimate look at the diverse neighborhoods of LA during this small-group cycling exploration. Join a group of no more than 10 riders for a 32-mile (51-kilometer) adventure through areas like West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Bel-Air, and Beverly Hills, listening to insightful and entertaining stories from your guide as you cycle. During the trip, you’ll also stop in Venice Beach, where you can buy lunch, and take a guided walking tour of historic Greystone Mansion. A hybrid road bike, safety equipment, and bottled water are also included.

Skip traditional walking tours and embark on a scavenger hunt through the heart of Paso Robles with this smartphone adventure. Experience the city’s historic and cultural sights at your own pace as you solve clues and complete fun challenges with your group. Rack up points and learn bits of local history and lore as you transform Paso Robles into your own personal game board.

Puzzle your way through the heart of Sacramento on a scavenger hunt adventure with your crew. Following a series of clues on your smartphone, you'll take on fun challenges that weave local history into the sights along your 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) course. Enjoy scenic views from the riverfront, explore the historic storefronts of Old Sacramento, scout out hidden gems, and most importantly: rack up those points.

Enjoy a uniquely festive way to explore San Francisco’s holiday lights displays—and have the special chance to travel aboard a vintage, open-air Mack fire engine—on this small-group, evening tour. Listen to your guide's commentary and holiday music as you travel to Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero, and Union Square to see holiday light displays. Plus, have the option to wear provided firefighter gear to stay cozy and pose for photos.

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.