Experience Intimate Nature With These 10 Best Tours In California - Updated 2024

John
John 
Updated
| 8 min read

California is a state renowned for its sights. At every turn, you are privileged with the genuine majesty that is the Golden State’s wildlife. And now, with the best tours of California, you can experience not only the natural sights and sounds but also the best of the western sate’s many man-made landmarks! Check out Hollywood Boulevard, take a trip to Los Angeles, and witness to cultural immersion in Baja California! It’s an encounter with the absolute best that the state of California has to offer, and with tour rates now more affordable than ever before, there’s never been a better time to book one of California’s premium tours!

1. Tour California beaches (from 202.89 USD)

Venice Beach Los Angeles - Palazzo Ducale
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sidvics used under CC BY-SA 3.0

We don’t have to tell you that the California beaches are among the finest of natural sights you can witness the world around. Now, with the Tour California Beaches experience, you can take in all of the best sights and sounds that the California beaches have to offer, in just a single day! Take part in a truly amazing, laid back Southern California lifestyle, and make sure you set foot on the white sands of breathtaking Huntington Beach, the widely recognized birthplace of modern surfing.

You’ll also be able to check out the sights and sounds dynamic Long Beach, the home of the Queen Mary, one of the most amazing ships ever to sail the world’s seas! Your visit to California’s finest beaches isn’t complete without the opportunity to take in Venice Beach, loved by locals as one of the prime locations to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Take in the palm trees, the cool breezes, and the vibrant atmosphere of the surrounding natural sights, when you embark upon the unforgettable opportunity that is Tour California Beaches!

Tour California beaches

Price: from 202.89 USD

Duration: approximately 15 hours

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2. The ultimate Hollywood tour (from 249.00 USD)

Kermit the frog hollywood walk of fame
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user pdphoto used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

The absolute best way to get a verifiable taste of the California lifestyle is by taking advantage of a private ultimate Hollywood tour! All of Hollywood becomes your playground for the day when you allow yourself to relax in a priority, professional-grade SUV that the tour provides! You will be shown the absolute best of the local Hollywood area, including all of the hottest Hollywood locations, as well as many local favorites and staples!

The most exclusive locations in all of Los Angeles are open to you with the ultimate Hollywood tour, an introduction to this lavish California lifestyle. Take advantage of this authentic glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, when for 4 hours you’ll enjoy a commentated tour of one of California’s greatest highlights! The Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Beverly Hills mansions, Mann’s Chinese Theatre, and more will pass right by your SUV window when you indulge in the privilege that is the Ultimate Hollywood Tour!

The ultimate Hollywood tour

Price: from 249.00 USD

Duration: approximately 4 hours

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3. Yosemite tour (from 152.99 USD)

Your experience of Northern California wildlife will not be complete without a trip to the renowned Yosemite National Park! Located in the California Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite National Park is known the world around for its age-old Sequoia trees, its breathtaking natural scenery, and an unbeatable mountain atmosphere. When you take advantage of the low-priced, highly-rated Yosemite Tour, you’ll find yourself traveling in style to and from San Francisco!

Once you’ve arrived at the outdoor haven for adventure that is Yosemite National Park, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of activities, including hiking, sightseeing, prospecting, and more! You can also frequent the visitor center, where you’ll learn so much more about the natural value of the region, as well as some of the integral historical moments that make Yosemite so special. The tour also includes a pick-up and drop-off service from select hotels, meaning that you can literally be delivered to the wilderness and back! It’s an encounter with top-tier natural majesty, with the Yosemite Tour!

Yosemite tour

Price: from 152.99 USD

Duration: approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes

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4. San Diego trolley tour (from USD 54.0)

For an interactive, recreational Southern California tour that’ll leave you refreshed by the air and awestruck by the atmosphere, check out this hop-on, hop-off San Diego trolley tour! Now, you can witness to the best that the region has to offer, sometimes through the lengthy glass windows of San Diego’s finest mode of transportation, other times when you step off of the trolley and soak in the scene! This tour includes ten designated stops, locations that showcase the absolute best that the area has to offer.

This luxurious method of touring allows you the freedom to thoroughly personalize your day in breezy California paradise, from beginning to end. Included in this day tour are local staples like the sights and sounds of the Gaslamp District! You’ll also spot award-winning venues like the San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway, and the slice of culture that is Little Italy. Sign up for guaranteed satisfaction, when you put your San Diego experience into the hands of a tour that will deliver you only the finest in local architecture, entertainment, and culture! Take advantage of the live-fed commentary and the infectiously enthusiastic ambiance that characterizes the location as truly irreplaceable. With the Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour of San Diego, your next coastal cure is only an easy decision away.

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San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Duration: 2 hours

1807 reviews

California Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley

Stephanie Eley

I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more

Tours by Stephanie

5. Napa Valley hot-air balloon ride (from USD 299.0)

Do we really need to explain why the Napa Valley Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Brunch package is such a deal? You’ll soar high over picture-perfect Napa Valley landscapes in a luxury balloon setting, surrounded by family and friends of your own choosing, and when the moment is right, you’ll break out the sparkling wine and the well-packed brunch, and enjoy a feast in the skies! It’s a new way to discover the world’s finest wine country. Soar toward the sunset, and admire the awe-inspiring sights from the sides of your hot air balloon!

This tour employs fully certified hot air balloon staff, to ensure that your safety and your security are always their first and only priority, from takeoff to landing. You won’t have to worry about anything, except for soaking in each and every glorious second spent airborne over California’s finest valley. Your flight includes a pre-launch snack and breakfast at Domaine Chandon Winery, as well as a classic buffet meal in the midst of the sunny Central California atmosphere. Check out the Napa Valley Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Brunch, for a taste of Napa Valley excellence.

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Napa Valley Hot-Air-Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

541 reviews

6. Henry Cowell State Park Redwoods (from 61.99 USD)

With the half-day tour to the Henry Cowell State Park Redwoods, you’re going to familiarize yourself with an awestruck state. The sheer size and beauty of the redwoods which will surround you in the peaceful venue will surely captivate you. fairly secluded from the hustle and bustle of contemporary society, the Henry Cowell State Park Redwoods introduce you to the soothing, remedial effects of peace, quiet, and the winds through expansive tree limbs.

You can spot the Pacific Ocean and Monterrey Bay from various points during your tour, and your tour also includes a visit to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park! Hotel pick-up and drop-off are also included in the Henry Cowell State Park Redwoods half-day tour, and you can easily upgrade to a lunch option! Relax by the state’s renowned trees, and get in touch with true California nature, with the Henry Cowell State Park Redwoods half-day tour!

Henry Cowell State Park Redwoods

Price: from 61.99 USD

Duration: approximately 6 hours

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7. Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour (from USD 169.0)

Take advantage of the exclusive Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour to experience the absolute best that the state has to offer!It’s an intimate encounter with California’s top wines, and you’ll also find yourself the privileged guest to some of the Golden State’s best views. This tour takes you to some of the top wineries in Central and Northern California, a full day trip from San Franciscan to multiple Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries. Admire spectacular sights of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more, on your way to an unforgettable experience.

Three iconic wineries serve as your respective destinations for the day, an endeavor that includes a complimentary lunch in the California countryside. You’ll also learn about the history of each respective winery, and of the wine-making process itself. Some of the world’s top wineries will effectively become your classroom, and you’ll enjoy air-conditioned, Internet-enabled transportation in luxury coaches, to and from your exotic western destination! Stay for the drinks with the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour.

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Napa and Sonoma Valleys Full-Day Wine Tour From San Francisco

Duration: 9 hours

3819 reviews

8. Baja California coastal trip (from USD 199.0)

If you’re in search of the absolute finest method by which to experience a Mexican atmosphere, your search has found its end with the Baja California coastal trip. A short distance from San Diego, where your tour will originate, the Baja California coastal trip includes sweeping, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and stops first in Tijuana just south of the Mexican border! Your guided sightseeing tour in Tijuana includes sights like a bullring, and you’ll pass right by the legendary shops at Avenida Revolucion. Puerto Nuevo will set the scene for your delicious lunch, where you can enjoy deep-fried lobster and a refreshing margarita! Next, you’ll explore Rosarito Beach, and you can even find yourself serenaded by the local mariachi music! Round-trip transportation to and from your hotel is also included in the Baja California coastal trip, making this excursion the definition of a must-see enterprise.

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Baja Grand Tour, Tijuana Coastal Day Trip from San Diego

Duration: 9 hours

85 reviews

9. Los Angeles city tour (from USD 84.0)

Don’t make the mistake of touring the greatest state in the United States, without traveling to its certified hub of thrill and excitement: Los Angeles! With the Los Angeles City Tour, you’ll receive the distinct opportunity to experience all of the amazing sights and sounds that make the region entirely unforgettable. Make sure that you take advantage of this verifiable once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! For 6 hours, you will immerse yourself in the recreational, active epicenter of California that is L.A., while checking out each and every one of its finest landmarks!

From its iconic locations to its glamorous venues, you’ll have the distinct chance to take it all in. A professional guide will facilitate your adventure, up and down the greatest retail and party streets that the area has to offer! Check out Hollywood Boulevard, and the Hollywood sign, identify the houses of your favorite celebrities and soak in the best of Sunset Strip. Free transportation to and from your hotel is also included in this high-profile tour! Take advantage of the Los Angeles City Tour, and make it a priority to encounter the best of L.A.!

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Los Angeles City Tour with Guide

Duration: 6 hours

10 reviews

10. San Francisco Helicopter and Alcatraz Tour (from USD 255.0)

Fly high above authentic, Northern California history with the San Francisco Helicopter and Alcatraz Tour. It’s your opportunity to witness to everything that makes this gem of a western location truly unforgettable in nature. The privilege that is the dynamic California landscape is laid out in panoramic majesty beneath your feet, while you travel in luxury above unrivaled sights.

Stunning aerial backdrops will characterize your unforgettable endeavor, and will surely serve to establish the San Francisco Helicopter and Alcatraz Tour as the top-tier aerial tour in the region. This 15 to 20- minute helicopter ride takes you directly above some of California’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Bay Bridge, the Transamerica Pyramid, and the legendary Alcatraz Island. You will then explore Alcatraz on foot, with both audio and visual tour aides! With the option to experience both packed tours in a single day, or to split them up over two consecutive days, you’re not going to want to miss the San Francisco Helicopter and Alcatraz Tour.

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San Francisco Helicopter and Alcatraz Walking Tour

Duration: 5 hours

10 reviews

Thrill at every turn

When you take advantage of our recommended list of the absolute finest tours in the state of California, you’re allowing yourself to choose guaranteed luxury. From the heights of the Napa Valley Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Brunch and the San Francisco Helicopter and Alcatraz Tour to the excitement of the streets that you’ll find in the Los Angeles City Tour and the San Diego Trolley Tour, there’s thrill at every turn! Relax among the state’s finest nature, or get your adrenaline going in the thick of Hollywood! The choice is yours, but let’s make one thing clear: when you adhere to our list of the top ten California tours, you’re in for a verifiable privilege.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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John Gallagher is a digital marketing consultant and writer from San Diego, California. When he isn't thoroughly enjoying the writing process or pretending he thoroughly enjoys the revision...Read more

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