Top California Natural Attractions

Discover a picturesque haven for drought-resistant plant life with this general admission ticket to the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Explore the 3.5-acre garden on your own with a self-guided tour book, or check the schedule to join a free docent-led tour. Dogs and children under 12 enter free of charge.

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.

Visit Yosemite National Park without the hassle of planning a long day of driving or coordinating park logistics from San Francisco. Traveling in a small group, you'll journey through California’s Central Valley before exploring Yosemite Valley’s most famous sights, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. A stop among giant sequoias adds another iconic California landscape to the experience.

See San Francisco’s most famous waterfront landmarks from the water on a bay cruise that combines iconic views with onboard flexibility. Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz Island, and take in panoramic views of the city skyline while listening to stories and insights through an app-based audio guide. With skip-the-line boarding and indoor and outdoor viewing areas, it’s an easy way to experience the bay from a different perspective.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Granite Adventure unlocks a world of excitement at the quarry, where you can select from six thrilling activities. After a 30-minute Gear Up & Orientation, dive into 2 hours of exhilarating fun with options like Aerial Adventure, Climbing Walls, Free Fall, Rappel, Via Ferrata, and Ziplines. Perfect for those who want to customize their experience, this allows guests to typically complete two or three adventures in the timeframe, ensuring an unforgettable day filled with adrenaline and exploration at every turn.

Comfortably cover a lot of ground with this e-bike tour through charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ride from the bike shop in downton to the town’s fairy-tale cottages and down the Carmel coastline along Scenic Drive. See landmarks such as the Tor House, Carmel River State Beach, Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch, and the Carmel Mission in under three hours.

Discover the scenic beauty of 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach with a guided electric bike tour with a small group. Starting in Carmel-by-the-Sea, follow your guide along the winding road, with stops at iconic landmarks and viewpoints. Along the way, learn interesting facts and history about the area from your guide.

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.

Discover the scenic beauty of 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach on this family-friendly guided electric bike tour with a small group of just ten people. Starting in Monterey, follow your guide along the winding road, with stops at iconic landmarks and viewpoints. Along the way, learn interesting facts and history about the area from your guide.

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.

Filoli is an unforgettable estate experience just outside San Francisco. Wander through 16 acres of vibrant formal gardens, explore a grand 54,000-sqft Georgian mansion, and discover miles of scenic nature trails where Dambo's giant Troll, Rose Wonders will be nestled in Filoli's Natural Lands. Originally built in 1917, Filoli offers a rare blend of cultivated beauty and wild landscape, now amplified by this incredible outdoor exhibition. It’s a perfect day out for all ages—where families can reconnect, kids can explore, and friends can roam. Enjoy a Garden Pop™ or sip a curated cocktail from one of Filoli’s seasonal pop-up bars. This historical California landscape bridges art, nature, and sustainability.

Experience San Francisco Bay’s stunning waterfront as you pedal across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco to Sausalito. Join our fun and knowledgeable local guides as they lead you on a memorable journey through some of the Bay Area’s most picturesque landscapes. Crossing the bridge on the bike path, you’ll then enjoy a thrilling 10-minute downhill ride, leading you into the charming town of Sausalito. Bask in the famously wonderful weather of Sausalito as you explore its Mediterranean-style streets and scenic waterfront. You'll continue your adventure to Muir Woods National Monument on our comfortable minicoach. You’ll wander through ancient groves of coastal redwoods, experiencing a full sensory immersion in this ‘living museum’ of towering trees that once dominated the West Coast. Spend an hour and a half exploring the serene beauty of Muir Woods before heading back to Sausalito for a quick stop and then back to San Francisco.

Escape the city and explore San Francisco’s North Bay, on this guided tour. See massive redwood trees that are over 1,400 years old in a magical redwood forest. Cruise up the coast for a walk on Stinson beach and lunch in the town of Stinson. Enjoy views of the city from the Marin Headlands before stopping in Sausalito where you have the option to take the ferry back.

Experience Alcatraz from the water while uncovering the stories that made “The Rock” one of America’s most infamous prisons. Rather than simply viewing the island from afar, hear firsthand accounts from former guards and inmates through a smartphone audio guide as you cruise around Alcatraz. Along the way, enjoy views of San Francisco Bay landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, with skip-the-line boarding for a seamless experience.

Enjoy magical Muir Woods, then go beyond. Coastal California awaits! Visit the village of Point Reyes Station. Walk through Point Reyes National Seashore. Escape Bay Area crowds and fill your camera with beauty. Finish your day with a mead tasting at Heidrun Meadery.

Explore the beauty of Big Sur and sail around California's Central Coast with ease thanks to your own electric bike and a guide to show you around. Save time and energy on the back of the e-bike, squeezing way more into this tour than you would on foot. Let your guide lead you to some of the most stunning spots in the area.

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.

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.

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.