Top California Half-day Tours

See the best of Los Angeles with a 6-hour tour of the city’s most glamorous neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Learn where to eat, shop and party as you explore L.A. with a professional guide, from Hollywood Boulevard’s star-studded sidewalks to gleaming downtown skyscrapers. Snap a selfie with the Hollywood sign, spot celebrity homes in Beverly Hills, and watch an elegant crowd browse Rodeo Drive’s exclusive boutiques. Cruise the renowned Sunset Strip before hitting the Pacific Coast Highway to sink your toes into L.A.’s most beloved beaches.

Wander through an ancient coastal redwood forest and explore the artistic bayside enclave of Sausalito on this half-day tour from San Francisco. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods, home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth. Then, soak up stellar views of the San Francisco skyline and browse art galleries along the Sausalito waterfront. At the end of your tour choose between getting dropped off at Union Square in San Francisco or taking the Sausalito ferry back to San Francisco.

Experience Nappy Valley's world-famous wine country from the air on a sunrise hot-air-balloon ride. Start the day off right with coffee and pastries at the renowned Domaine Chandon Winery, and then climb into a comfortable basket to take to the skies as day breaks across the valley. Enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of Napa’s rolling hills, expansive vineyards, and elegant estates during this 1-hour flight. Once back on solid ground, indulge in a hot breakfast buffet with sparkling wine back at Domaine Chandon.

Visit Alcatraz Island before most visitors arrive and tour San Francisco on a motorized classic cable car. You’ll head to Alcatraz early to enter this National Historic Landmark District. Explore the former prison via the award-winning audio guide, and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chinatown, North Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge on a cable car retrofitted with wheels, so you can see more of the city.

Go whale-watching from San Diego aboard a replica of a historic sailing schooner that won the world’s first America’s Cup sailing competition in 1851. Throughout your 4-hour cruise, your expert guide shares informative commentary about gray whales, dolphins and other marine animals, along with details about the US Navy sites you pass as you head out on the Pacific Ocean. Your cruise includes refreshments and a complimentary same-day admission ticket to the San Diego Maritime Museum.

Take a San Francisco half-day tour to pack in the city’s top sights in a convenient way that leaves you with plenty of time to spare so you can enjoy the city however you wish. With a driver-guide, travel the city by bus, stopping at major attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks. Get oriented as you pass through neighborhoods like North Beach and Chinatown, and admire the City by the Bay’s famous Victorian homes. Plus, you can upgrade to include a 1-hour cruise on San Francisco Bay.

Take in San Diego’s most iconic sights with a 4-hour sightseeing tour, and get an insider’s look at the city as you explore with a local guide. Experience California’s frontier history in Old Town, snap a selfie by Petco Park, then stroll the elegant grounds of Balboa Park. Stop by a sea lion colony in La Jolla, visit Little Italy, East Village and the Embarcadero, and cross the San Diego Bay to the elegant community of Coronado, where a historic hotel gazes across the water towards the city skyline.

Explore the famous groves of the Northern California redwoods on this 3.5-hour tour of Muir Woods. Departing from Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, a local guide will drive you over the scenic Golden Gate Bridge and into the moist air of Muir Woods National Monument. Crane your neck to admire these 1000-year-old trees standing 260 feet tall. Afterward, enjoy a drive through the charming town of Sausalito before heading back to the city.

Get to know the famous sites of Los Angeles on this 4.5-hour grand city tour. Start in downtown Los Angeles and then head out to Hollywood for views of the iconic sign. When you're near Grauman's Chinese Theatre, imagine you’re one of the stars whose hands are imprinted on the sidewalk. Check out the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, and ogle at celebrity homes in Beverly Hills. This comprehensive tour includes a stop for lunch and shopping. Hotel transport from downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood included.

Venture far off the tourist trail onto the backroads in Joshua Tree National Park. This small group tour in a luxury Hummer H2 takes you from your Palms Springs hotel to the park, through the West Entrance, to the Inselberg rock formations, and past the distinctive trees for which the park is named and into the heart of the San Andreas Fault.

See San Francisco’s top attractions on a 3.5-hour tour by deluxe minivan. Led by a local guide, this small-group tour will take you through the famous neighborhoods of North Beach and Haight-Ashbury for a more personal sightseeing experience. You’ll also pass attractions like Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks and Fisherman’s Wharf, stopping to admire the views along the way.

Explore a shady oasis and rugged canyons on a 4-hour Hummer adventure that goes deep into Joshua Tree’s arid landscape. Leave Palm Desert and hold on tight as your guide takes you through the park’s back roads, and enjoy sweeping views from the truck’s open top. Walk through the heart of a vast oasis, and learn about the settlers and Cahuilla Indians that lived in this harsh environment; watch for golden eagles and bighorn sheep as you navigate Berdoo canyon then discover ancient stands of bristling Joshua trees.

Take in two of the San Francisco Bay Area’s top destinations, Muir Woods and Sausalito, on a 4-hour morning tour from downtown San Francisco. Drive through the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument where you have some time to walk among towering old growth redwood trees. Next, head to Sausalito for a stroll along the picturesque waterfront, which is full of great boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You can opt to remain on your own in Sausalito or return on the coach.

Travel up above the town of Avalon to an elevation of 1,500 feet (457 meters) on this 2-hour tour of the southeast end of Catalina Island. Aboard an open-air biofuel H1 Hummer, you'll get bird's-eye views of the island and Pacific Ocean on this exploration through 5 miles (8 km) of rugged terrain. Admire the coast and canyons, and journey along a eucalyptus-lined road to return to Avalon.

Take a memorable ride through world-famous vineyards aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, complete with a gourmet lunch. Settle into the gorgeously refurbished historic train and enjoy the passing scenery through large picture windows. Savor a three-course lunch in an antique dining car as you roll through the charming towns and sprawling vineyards of Napa Valley. Disembark at your choice of winery for a guided tour and tasting. It’s the most relaxing, elegant way to see Napa!

Experience the majesty of Northern California’s Coastal Redwood Sequoia trees at Muir Woods. This 4-5 hour tour takes visitors to some of the Bay Area’s most peaceful spots. Spend 1.5 hours beneath some of the tallest Redwood trees in the world, take a short hike, or just enjoy the views. Then stop for lunch in Sausalito and opt to take the scenic ferry ride back to the city, or be driven across the Golden Gate Bridge. Ideal for visitors looking to get out of the city and spend some relaxing time in the forest.

Learn about California’s capital city’s history as you pop into five or six eateries for tastings of local-favorite food during this Downtown Sacramento tour. Most samples you’ll eat along your way include wine and cheese from local venues, as well as menu items from restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. Your guide tells you stories about the city that date back to the 1800s, as well as gets you acquainted with the Sac foodie culture.

Visit two Bay Area attractions dedicated to California's natural environment on this 5-hour tour from San Francisco. First, head over the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument to see the coastal redwood trees. Then return to the city, via Sausalito, for a visit to Aquarium of the Bay, home to marine life from the waters of San Francisco Bay. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking.

Fly by helicopter from the San Francisco Bay Area to Wine Country during this tour. Enjoy views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Wine Country's rolling vineyards before touching down at one of the area's most prestigious wineries. Enjoy a guided tour of the property, tapas and a wine tasting. With your small group limited to 6 people, learn about the winery's world-class varietals and all the love and labor that goes into making the perfect cabernet. When your 3-hour excursion is over, travel back to San Francisco by helicopter.

Stand above a gaping rift in the earth’s crust on a 3-hour hummer tour that goes deep into California’s rugged desert terrain. Enjoy sweeping views from your open-air truck as you leave Palm Desert for the San Andreas Fault, and learn about the area’s extraordinary history and geology from your guide. Look down into some of the world’s oldest ravines, watch for bighorn sheep and golden eagles as you explore the back roads of Berdoo Canyon, then take a 30-minute hike through the heart of a vast palm oasis.

Learn about California's geology and desert wilderness on a half-day Jeep tour to the San Andreas Fault. Drive through the Coachella Valley to the fault zone while hearing from your guide about native plant and animal life, local history, the Salton Sea, and earthquakes. Depending on your preference, you can take a nature walk in the desert or stay in the vehicle. You'll also stop by a date farm where you can try their signature date milkshake. Includes guide, transportation, and light refreshments.

While Yosemite is at its most popular during the warm summer months, the beloved National Park is equally in the winter months, with fewer crowds and beautiful snowfall on many of the valley's surrounding peaks. Withthis customizable winter tour, you'll get to experience Yosemite in a way that interests you, with a wide option of activities running from hikes to museum tours.

Cycle through San Francisco and across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on this 3-hour guided bike tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll ride along the waterfront, passing Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic Presidio. Then admire the city skyline from the Golden Gate Bridge, with views of Alcatraz and the long stretch of the Pacific on the opposite side. Your tour will conclude in Sausalito or Tiburon, where you can explore before taking the ferry back to San Francisco. Your bike rental is valid for 24 hours to continue sightseeing on your own.

Explore San Francisco and Sausalito on your own with a self-guided bike tour that includes an optional return ferry ticket (not included). Pick up your bike at Fisherman’s Wharf, located near a well-maintained bike path that leads to the Golden Gate Bridge. Your bike rental comes with a map that shows you the best bike routes and popular stops such as Fort Mason, Palace of Fine Arts, Fort Point, the Bridge Pavilion, and Vista Point. You will be able to purchase the ferry tickets so you don't have to wait in line in Sausalito, which you can use or not use at your discretion.