Top California Crime Tours

Dive into the dark history of one of the most iconic streets in Los Angeles with this true crime and ghost stories tour of Sunset Boulevard. Stroll down Sunset Strip while you listen to the tales of gruesome acts committed by gangsters like Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Charles Manson, the Wonderland Gang, and the Sunset Killer. Take in haunted landmarks from Chateau Marmont to the Viper Room and learn about their cursed history.

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with our Alcatraz Highlights Tour! Step foot on the infamous island that once contained America's most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Alcatraz. Witness the chilling cells that housed Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, as you explore the imposing cell blocks. Be captivated by the echoes of the past as you wander through the eerie corridors, and soak in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. Don't miss your chance to uncover the mysteries and legends of America's most infamous prison on our Alcatraz Highlights Tour - a thrilling adventure you won't ever forget! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the App! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

Fans of true crime won't want to miss this tour of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Your guide will take you through the area formerly known as Stingaree, telling you the back stories of some gruesome crimes that have taken place over the years, with a stop to visit a haunted hotel along the way.

This is not your typical wine tasting. The Wine & True Crime Tour blends Solvang’s quirkiest tasting rooms with chilling tales of crime and the macabre. Think of it as a storytelling experience with drinks, not a guided lesson in wine. Over two hours, you’ll join a small group of fellow true crime fans as we visit three unique spots, including a slasher-themed winery and offbeat wine bars. Along the way, your guide will share gripping stories of 70s serial killers, unsolved mysteries, and haunted mortuaries. You’ll enjoy three generous pours: a wine flight, a wine-based tiki cocktail (no rum here), and a sparkling wine farewell toast. Come ready for dark tales, bold pours, and a one-of-a-kind night out.

Embark on a fun and informative ghost tour through the streets of Monterey with a local guide who can’t wait to share their favorite spooky stories with you. You’ll hear about a side of the city most tourists won’t as you walk through the town, from the Colton Hall Museum and Jail to the Larkin House. There will be plenty for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike to learn.

US Ghost Adventures is the leading provider of haunted ghost tours in America — we even own some of the most haunted properties in America, like the Lizzie Borden House! Every tour is hosted by an experienced, knowledgeable local guide. You’ll hear firsthand accounts from people who have witnessed the unexplained — sometimes even a guest’s eerie encounter or the guide’s own!   US Ghost Adventures offers an authentic experience that strives to make sense of the unexplainable. Our ghost tours are based on real-world portrayals of hauntings and well-documented history.

Explore Hollywood through the lens of real criminal cases on a guided evening walking tour paired with drinks at historic bars. The experience focuses on documented crimes, investigations, and cultural impact, offering context beyond sensational headlines. With a structured route and expert storytelling, the tour combines nightlife with historical narrative for a distinctive after-dark experience.

Uncover a fascinating side to San Francisco that many miss out on with a walking tour of the city that covers both true crime and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Discover what made the area so dangerous in the 1960s and 70s, and hear tales of former residents, including Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Janis Joplin. Designed by a sixth-generation San Franciscan, the tour is full of anecdotes you won't hear elsewhere, plus, insider knowledge you'd otherwise miss.

To make your stay complete in San Francisco, this package includes two essential activities in a single pack. A visit of the most famous prison in the world, discovering its history and walking into the footsteps of Al Capone. Don’t miss the 45-minute audio tour that will immerse you in the atmosphere of the federal penitentiary which brought together the most dangerous criminals of the time. You can then enjoy a one-hour boat cruise in San Francisco Bay which will offer you an exceptional view of the city and its hills, but also other sightseeings such as going underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Please note, free for children 4 years old and younger and don't need to have a ticket.

Examine one of Los Angeles’ most studied criminal cases on a guided true crime limo tour covering expanded locations tied to the Manson Family. Travel in a small group while learning how the crimes intersected with Hollywood culture, media, and the social climate of the era. The experience emphasizes analysis over myth, offering a deeper understanding of why the case continues to resonate.

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with our Alcatraz Highlights Tour! Step foot on the infamous island that once contained America's most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Alcatraz. Witness the chilling cells that housed Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, as you explore the imposing cell blocks. Be captivated by the echoes of the past as you wander through the eerie corridors, and soak in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. Don't miss your chance to uncover the mysteries and legends of America's most infamous prison on our Alcatraz Highlights Tour - a thrilling adventure you won't ever forget! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the App! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

This dark history sightseeing tour reveals Los Angeles beyond its sunny skyline and famous attractions, focusing on true crime, scandals, and the city’s sinister past. Journey through seedy downtown lots, haunted hotels, Sunset Boulevard scandal sites, and secretive Beverly Hills estates that turned Hollywood dreams into grim tragedies. Along the way, you’ll see “all the wrong homes at the right time, afterwards” uncovering how LA’s darkest stories helped shape its haunting allure and enduring crime legends.

Experience the seedy side of Hollywood and Beverly Hills on this guided excursion that takes care of the transportation for you. After a convenient pickup from select hotels, head out with your guide to discover Tinseltown’s greatest scandals. Check off sites such as Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Greystone Mansion and Park, the Sunset Strip, and Will Rogers Memorial Park.

Make exploring Wine Country easy on this tour aboard the Napa Valley Wine Trolley. The open-air cable car is a replica of the historic trolleys seen in San Francisco and offers views of the vineyards as you travel to three or four wineries to sample the local wines (tastings at your own expense). A guide provides commentary about Napa’s rich history. Lunch at one of the wineries is also included for extra convenience.

Travel to Southern California’s Catalina Island by boat, and solve your transit logistics in advance, when you prebook this one-way departure ferry service aboard the Catalina Express. Depart from San Pedro in Los Angeles, and enjoy views of the Pacific during the journey. The ferry conveniently drops you in the town of Avalon, the main town on the island, which is home to shops, restaurants, hotels, activities and more.

Spend a few hours relaxing and sightseeing in the waters just off San Diego during this 1- or 2-hour San Diego Harbor cruise. Sit back and relax as you take in a fully narrated tour, offering top-notch sight lines of the San Diego skyline, a cruise under Coronado Bridge, a look at the bustling US Naval fleet, and a chance to spot some of the harbor’s resident sea lions.

Ghosts & Goblets: A Haunted Bar Tour in San Diego Welcome to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, where both spectral and liquid spirits await! Ghosts & Goblets isn’t just a pub crawl—it’s a journey through the city’s most haunted bars, with spine-chilling tales and eerie drinks. You’ll enter 3 haunted locations and sip 3 mysterious concoctions like The Tanglefoot or The Werewolf. Which one will materialize? Only the spirits know! What makes Ghosts & Goblets special? Exclusive Route: No other tour takes you to these haunted bars. Mysterious Drinks: Admission includes 3 unique, themed drinks inspired by ghostly tales. Real Ghost Stories: True, spine-tingling stories delivered with a theatrical twist. Local Legends: The only locally-owned ghost tour in downtown San Diego. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable night of haunted tales and drinks—if you dare!

This is the official Alcatraz prison tour that gives you access to the Alcatraz Island and you will be able to explore the prison freely with a 45-minutes award-winning audio tour that is available in different languages! You can stay on the island as long as you'd like, and return with any ferry back to San Francisco! Everything you need to visit Alcatraz is included: round trip ferry rides, entry ticket, and the audio tour, and all taxes and fees. As a bonus, a one hour bike rental voucher from a local bike shop is also included if biking across the Golden Gate Bridge sounds exited to you!

Prebook general admission to San Francisco’s de Young Museum—located in Golden Gate Park, and home to one of the city’s most prominent art collections—and have the freedom to explore its galleries at your own pace with this convenient visiting option. Upgrade your ticket to include entrance to the Special Exhibits. With your ticket, you can also enjoy same-day entry to the Legion of Honor Museum at no extra cost.

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.

Make the most of your limited time in San Francisco, and combine a guided morning bus tour with a visit to Alcatraz. Enjoy a fully narrated sightseeing adventure through iconic neighborhoods such as Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, and North Beach, with stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End, and Twin Peaks. Then, skip the ticket line for your official Alcatraz Island ferry and tour, including a self-guided audio experience.

Explore the dark underbelly of Hollywood with the ultimate walking tour. You will be led on a fright filled walk down the Boulevard of Broken Dreams to visit haunted hotels, mobster hangouts, and landmarks with ties to some of LA s most notorious crimes. If you love Hollywood, the paranormal, or true crime - this is the tour for you! This tour was written by the writer of Sunset Strip True Crime, Haunted Hollywood, and more of LA's highest rated experiences. This new version of the Hollywood tour comes with updated stories, a new route, images, and videos to provide the most exciting look into Hollywood's past! There are many tours of Hollywood, but you can book this tour knowing it was created by people who care about LA history and giving the best tours in the world.