Top California Classes & Workshops

Challenge yourself on the rope ladders, balance beams, and ziplines at the Catalina Aerial Adventure park. Suspended in a eucalyptus grove on Catalina Island, this aerial obstacle course is a convenient adventure destination and is easy to fit into your busy vacation schedule. Plus, it has three different difficulty levels to choose from, ensuring there is something to challenge everyone from kids to athletes.

See the sights of Hollywood on this tour by open-top Mercedes minibus or Ford Van with a canopy, which allows you to enjoy unobstructed views as you go. Traveling with an on-board guide, you'll pass by attractions such as the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, and movie studios. Plus, get a look at some of the mansions where past and present stars have lived.

Head to a pretty stretch of Central Coast shoreline, learn the surfing basics, and even see if you can hang 10 like the pros during this accessible, beginner-friendly surf lesson. Depending on the day’s conditions, meet your private guide at a beach in and around Cayucos, zip up your wetsuit, and learn the basics. Then, with your guide’s instruction and support, hit the waves—and have plenty of attempts to nail your technique.

Explore many miles of Lake Tahoe's beautiful East Shore Trail without breaking a sweat on a self-guided e-bike tour. Set the bike's battery boost settings to your own personal preference, and set off on fully paved, traffic-free paths for a stress-free day of cycling. The bike is yours for the entire day, along with bike locks so you can pop off to enjoy beaches and forests along the way.

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 a unique French-Californian cooking class in a stunning Southern California coastal home with Ann and Rick. This warm, food-loving couple brings a wealth of culinary knowledge from travels and training, blending classic French techniques with fresh Californian produce. Savor the joy of cooking and dining with locals who love to entertain in style, just minutes from the Ritz Carlton and Waldorf Astoria in Dana Point.

This experience blends hands-on mixology, local history, and iconic Bay Area views into one memorable San Francisco outing. Hosted inside a historic 1930s Art Deco distillery on Treasure Island, guests enjoy sweeping views of the Bay while learning the craft behind classic whiskey cocktails. During the class, guests shake and stir three iconic drinks — the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Paper Plane, while discovering how different whiskeys shape flavor, balance, and aroma. One of the moments guests love most is tasting the first cocktail they’ve made themselves. Even those who say they “don’t usually drink whiskey” are often surprised by how approachable and delicious it can be. Getting here is easy, including a scenic six-minute ferry ride from the San Francisco Ferry Building. Gold Bar Whiskey is the Official Whiskey of the San Francisco 49ers.

At Meadowcroft Wines, learn about the art and science of winemaking by blending and bottling your very own bottle of wine. We’ll start with a stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens of Cornerstone Sonoma and an idyllic vineyard for a firsthand look at the vines. As we walk the rows, We’ll share why the iconic Sonoma Valley is the perfect No previous wine experience is necessary - perfect for all levels of wine experience and interest.

Learn to surf in Pacifica, a picturesque town on the California coast just south of San Francisco. Your expert instructor covers all basics so that you can begin to catch some waves. Learn how to read the ocean, paddle out, pop up, balance and ride the waves, along with the etiquette of the surf world. Start practicing on the beach and in shallow waters before heading further out, with the assistance of your instructor available throughout your 3-hour lesson. Choose a morning or mid-day lesson that suits your schedule, with all necessary equipment provided.

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.

Group tours that involve exercise can either go way too slow or end up leaving you in the dust. Don’t settle to explore a new area uncomfortably. Instead, prebook this Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Bike Tour of North Shore, and ride at your own pace. Pedal along bike paths away from heavy car traffic, and see stunningly beautiful areas like San Harbor, Hidden Beach, Memorial Beach, and Kings Beach.

For travelers seeking a peaceful and meaningful way to experience Santa Barbara, this guided Cha Dao tea ceremony offers a moment to slow down, reconnect, and be fully present. Hosted in a serene setting, your experience begins with an introduction to the art of Cha Dao — the “Way of Tea” — where mindfulness, simplicity, and presence come together through the ritual of tea. Your tea master brings over a decade of experience serving tea around the world, along with a rich creative background as a multi-instrumentalist, poet, and world traveler. Whether it’s your first tea ceremony or a familiar practice, guests are gently guided into a calm and reflective atmosphere that invites stillness, curiosity, and gratitude. Many visitors leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and deeply connected to the moment. After the ceremony, there will be time to relax, reflect, and share insights from the experience together — creating space for both personal integration and meaningful connection.

All Equipment Provided – Premium recurve bows & full safety gear Stunning Outdoor Range – Practice in fresh alpine air Certified Instructors – Patient, encouraging coaching

Enjoy an immersive nature experience—and give yourself the best chance of spotting whales and other marine wildlife—on this half-day boat tour of Monterey Bay. Monterey is the premier destination in Northern California for winter whale-watching, and your naturalist guides know the best places to spot them. Along the way, learn about the majestic animals, and look out for whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and more.

Experience a private market tour and cooking class in a local home in Long Beach, California. BA, a public health professional and passionate home cook and baker, will be your host. Her international experience means she loves to mix exotic flavors with local, seasonal produce. Vegetarian, dairy/lactose free, and gluten free options are easy for her to accommodate. After shopping for local produce at the market, head to BA's home for a 2-hour cooking class, and then enjoy your meal together.

Learn the basics of surfing or take your current skills to the next level during a 2-hour class. Enjoy a private lesson with an instructor or take a group class with friends.  Whether it’s your first time on a board or you’ve been catching waves for years, everyone can benefit from the class.  There’s no need to get a wetsuit or surfboard past TSA as both are provided for you.

Get hands-on instruction in surfing from a team of First Aid and CPR-certified surfers and lifeguards during this immersive, small-group workshop. Listen to an in-depth introduction on paddling techniques and wave identification, then hit the water yourself with guidance from a designated surf coach. Workshops include surfboards and wetsuits.

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.

For a one-of-a-kind meal in San Diego you won't find any restaurant, join a local chef in her home for an Indian fusion cooking class. This private, hands-on culinary experience starts with a lesson in authentic Indian cooking techniques as you help prepare a 3-course menu using fresh ingredients. Connect with both Californian and Indian-American culture as you cook together, and then sit down to share the meal with your friendly host and instructor.

I’m an experienced surfer from Encinitas who wants to share the epic experience of surfing with you. I teach lessons for beginners to intermediate surfers. My goal is that you are having fun, feel confident, and fully embrace the unique experience that surfing is. By the end of the lesson you will have surfed some of your first waves as well as gained a greater knowledge of the ocean.

Brush up on your surfing skills, or try riding the waves of the Pacific Ocean for the first time. With lessons tailored to beginner, intermediate, or advanced riders, this package is perfect for riders of all levels. Instructors will teach you how to stay safe and have fun while surfing the shores at San Clemente.

Get out and ride some waves in Carlsbad on this two hour surf lesson in the Pacific Ocean. Your instructor will give you plenty of individualized attention, and is guaranteed to be CPR-certified. You’ll learn about safety, surfing etiquette, tides, ocean conditions, and technique. You’ll also learn about why ocean conservation is so important. Get ready to hang ten.

Experience one of San Francisco’s most popular activities—biking across the Golden Gate Bridge—with this bike rental from the Marina District, conveniently located near Crissy Field and the route to the bridge. A bike, map, helmet and lock are provided with this rental, plus you’ll receive tips on the best ways to bike to the bridge and around the city. On the other side of the bridge, you can explore the waterfront town of Sausalito before returning to the city.