Top California Hiking Tours - page 3

To truly see Joshua Tree National Park and feel the Mojave Desert’s magic—artists and visionaries flock here, after all—travel in the footsteps of a local guide and naturalist. On this private tour, you’ll follow what feels like an expert friend, discussing flora, fauna, geology, history, and more of this vast, wondrous, storied park. Totally customizable to your group, you’ll go beyond the guidebooks, leaving the park with connection and appreciation.

Bypass the line and head directly to the gate with your prebooked tickets for this San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise. This sunset cruise takes you across the bay with outstanding views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. Relax while background music sets the tone. Watch the sunset or select a city lights cruise during winter months.

Drive San Diego’s coastline on a self-guided scenic tour from Torrey Pines to Cabrillo National Monument, passing iconic beaches, coastal cliffs, and oceanfront neighborhoods along the way. This GPS-triggered audio tour guides you stop-by-stop, with commentary that plays automatically as you reach key viewpoints and landmarks. Start at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and follow the coast through La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Beach, with highlights including the Torrey Pines Gliderport, La Jolla Cove, Mount Soledad, and Sunset Cliffs. Along the way, you’ll get sweeping ocean views, local insights, and recommendations for places worth pulling over to explore. This flexible, self-paced tour lets you explore on your own schedule, whether you want to stop frequently or enjoy the drive straight through. For the best experience, plan to start earlier in the day to avoid heavier southbound traffic.

The San Andreas Fault is one of the world’s best-known fault lines—and this small-group tour will help you discover it up close. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, make your own way to the Indio departure point, and set off via open-air Jeep. You’ll discover the region’s dramatic scenery, will learn about desert habitats and the local Cahuilla people, will visit a desert oasis, and much more.

Spend the day immersed in nature on a full-day hiking tour of Yosemite National Park. See the dramatic slopes of Half Dome and North Dome, experience the force of Yosemite Falls, and hike a variety trails to see Mirror Lake, and Spider Caves. Opt for a tour of an old Pioneer village and cemetery if you want. Guides carry water purification and first aid equipment and all profits form this tour support Yosemite youth summer camp programs.

Death Valley is one of America’s most evocative national parks, with desolate desert landscapes, dramatic mountain ranges, and of course, the lowest point in North America. Let Shaka Guide lead the way! We take you to many of the park’s most fascinating and awe-inspiring places. Plus, we’ll discover some surprising references to popular culture. You don’t know what you don’t know about Death Valley! Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the Death Valley National Park Tour! • Take in views of Badwater Basin at Dante’s View • Walk along of field of sand dunes at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes • Watch the sunrise, or set, at Zabriskie Point All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get an up-close look at the city’s two engineering marvels—the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge—as you travel across San Francisco Bay. See major city sights such as Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building, and listen to recorded commentary about the city's legendary architecture while you glide under both bridges.

Discover many of Santa Barbara’s key historical highlights—and most scenic vistas—on this private, half-day tour. Pick a time that works best for you, and set off to explore landmarks like the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Clock Tower, Mission Santa Barbara, and the More Mesa Preserve. You’ll also hike along the city’s seaside cliffs, will learn about the local Chumash people, will discover the Santa Barbara Harbor, and more.

Active travelers who want to explore Yosemite National Park without the risk of getting lost or missing the best bits will enjoy this small-group guided tour. After reaching the park in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle you'll be taken on a guided tour of Yosemite Valley and the giant sequoia trees of Tuolumne Grove. Then, hike to the lesser-visited Sequoia Grove for great views with your exercise, followed by free time.

Visit Northern California wine country and Muir Woods for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discounted price: Begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument, then tour three wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with tastings included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge, with a stop for a photo opportunity. Guests can buy lunch if you haven't upgraded to the gourmet lunch option.

Travel the full circumference of Lake Tahoe in comfort—and maximize your limited travel time—on this full-day bus tour. Look forward to exploring the lake's highlight sights and vistas. Admire viewpoints at Emerald Bay and Truckee River Dam, see where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, and stop at Tahoe City for lunch (own expense). As you go, your guide provides rich historical context for the beautiful landscapes.

Take a relaxing afternoon small-group sailing cruise aboard a traditional sailboat on the San Francisco Bay. Cruise past landmarks such as Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, the Sausalito waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge, and see the San Francisco skyline on your way back to Pier 39. Includes two drinks, and personalized attention from the crew and captain.

The view from Mount Hollywood is epic. Come see it for yourself on this fun, educational, and accessible hike in the city. On the way we'll talk about the city's original inhabitants, the development of the city, and the layout of the land as we venture into the Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park, and the historic Griffith Observatory. On the way down, we'll show you the best spots to snap shots of the city's iconic sights, including the Hollywood Sign.

Discover Yosemite National Park's top sights in just half a day on this small-group, guided hiking tour. Select a specific hike for your skill level, with options ranging from beginner to challenging, and benefit from your guide's commentary and instruction along the way. Depending on the route, look forward to spotting Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, El Capitan, Half Dome, and more, and experience the natural wonders of this renowned landscape up close.

No day in Joshua Tree National Park is ever wasted, but it’s best experienced on foot, with a local to deepen the experience. On this full-day hike, you’ll follow a seasoned guide through the park—picking a trek suitable for your group—learning about the region’s flora and fauna, human history, and feeling the desert’s energy and artistic vibes. You’ll leave having had a hiking adventure and a connection with Mother Nature.

Learn to surf at one of California’s most famous spots during this introductory surfing class at Venice Beach. This class is suitable for all levels, whether it's your first time surfing or you are advancing your skills. Spend some time training on the beach, then hop in the Pacific Ocean for instruction in the water, followed by time for practice.

Enhance your experience in Runyon Canyon Park on a guided hiking tour. Follow your guide through the 130-acre park, stopping at iconic lookout points and the Griffith Observatory, which offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and Downtown LA.

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.

Get your sweat on while going on an easy to moderate 2 mile hike in Big Bear, and then be guided to a secret dock where you can refresh yourself in the lake afterwards. This is a treat because your guide tells you the secret swimming spot. You’ll also be able to lounge around on the boat, and there will be coolers provided so you can bring beers and lunch, or give your foodie guide some money and he can pick up a packed lunch for you.

From the Hollywood Sign to the sunny beaches of Santa Monica and the glitz of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is full of iconic sights. This guided full-day tour transports you by air-conditioned coach to top attractions—from Venice Beach to the Sunset Strip to Griffith Park and more—with included lunch at the Farmers' Market and optional hotel pickup for select locations.

For wine enthusiasts, Sonoma and Napa Valleys are the pinnacle of the North American wine experience. However, for the uninitiated, choosing where and when to go can be a little daunting. This tour shuttles you in style from San Francisco to three top-rated wineries, where you can enjoy tours and tasting. Upgrade to include a hop-on hop-off bus tour of San Francisco as well.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

Drive down one of the most scenic roads in California on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Cruise along the coast-hugging Highway 1, passing Pebble Beach on the iconic 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy free time to explore Monterey, where you can stroll down Steinbeck’s Cannery Row or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium (own expense). Then enjoy free time to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea before returning to San Francisco.

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.