California

Our most recommended things to do in California

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  1. San Francisco: Beyond the Painted Ladies Walking Tour

  Your day begins at Lafayette Park, where you’ll meet your small group of 20 people and take in a slew of different Victorian mansions from the outside, including the famous (and jaw-dropping) Spreckels mansion. Pass some of the famous row houses and learn how much money it takes to afford your own slice of a San Francisco Victorian.  Your next stop is the highlight of the trip. Get special access to a privately-owned Victorian mansion that has been lovingly restored and features a private collection of Victorian artifacts and knick-knacks. The tour, which is guided by the home’s owner, is completely exclusive and the experience of a lifetime for any lover of Victoriana. Your final stop is the famous Alamo Square, home to the “Painted Ladies” which you will recognize from television and postcards. Approaching from the very best viewpoint, you’ll be able to take your own postcard-perfect...

  Ted, our guide, was very helpful and always ensured we were comfortable with the walking up hills. He gave us various options for the route to view the wonderful houses. Ted’s knowledge was vast on San Francisco, as well as the architecture and history of the many houses we visited.

  Reviewed by Patricia, 8/6/2019
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  2. Aquarium of the Pacific: Skip-the-Ticket-Line Admission

  Take a journey of discovery at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Discover sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific, and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with the ocean’s ultimate predators in Shark Lagoon, hand-feed colorful lorikeet birds, and watch the Magellanic penguins. Discover Pacific Visions where you explore underwater realms and future possibilities. The centerpiece, Honda Pacific Visions Theater, features an 8-minute film with multisensory effects. The massive 180-degree curved screen and floor projection disc encompass the viewers’ full range of vision, creating a uniquely immersive experience. The theater experience is included in admission.

  Good and it was really interesting that you can actually colour fishes or sharks and it appears on the screen and people will be able to see your art work and I really liked the theatre when we got to see a amazing presentation and I really loved all the fishes and shark and everything else.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 7/27/2021
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  3. Universal Studios Hollywood: Ticket with Easy Cancellation

  Enjoy world-class entertainment all in one place at Universal Studios Hollywood™. With the regular general admission tickets, you will receive full access to the park to enjoy either 1 or 2 days (depending on the option selected) of rides, shows and attractions. For those wishing to spend less time in lines, the Universal Express Ticket is also available to book. This ticket includes the 1-day general admission ticket, one-time skip-the-line park entry, one-time express access to each ride and attraction plus priority seating at select shows.* This ticket is very popular with guests, so purchase this ticket in advance here to guarantee Universal Express™ privileges! Some of the popular rides, shows and attractions you will enjoy at Universal Studios Hollywood include: The World Famous Studio Tour Go behind-the-scenes on the world-famous Studio Tour to explore Hollywoo...

  Unkompliziert und gutes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Die Studios selbst sind definitiv einen Besuch wert

  Reviewed by Silvia, 2/28/2020
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  4. San Diego: Harbor Cruise

  Embark on an adventure and see San Diego's best sights. Learn about the city and enjoy a cruise on the bay. Depending on the option booked, this professionally-narrated tour takes you under the Coronado Bridge, past military ships, waterfront landmarks, and marine life for an up-close, in-depth look at San Diego's scenic beauty and fascinating history. This tour’s luxury ships offer three levels with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, 360-degree views, and an on-board snack bar serving snacks, soda, beer, wine and cocktails (available for purchase). This is a great way to experience San Diego from the water.

  Took the 2 hour tour that we were looking too take after our last visit. It was just way at we expected and more! The narrator was so full of information that we had to ask him how he did it. He said a lot of experience and we agreed that must have been the answer. He was really impressive. Don’t miss it.

  Reviewed by Arthur, 9/26/2021
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  5. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

  Launched in 1939 as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition, this 1-hour cruise has been a highlight of any visit to San Francisco for over 75 years. With 8-14 departures daily from 10:00, you will sail along San Francisco's breathtaking waterfront, under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and close to the notorious Alcatraz Island. Discover San Francisco's fascinating history, brought to life through audio commentary broadcast in 16 languages via personal headphones. Look out for wildlife along the way, including pelicans, sea lions, and even dolphins and whales. Sail past the lively neighborhood of North Beach, the famous swimming clubs of Aquatic Park, the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier, and San Francisco Maritime National Park, before heading west towards Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy views of Crissy Field and the lush hillsides of the Presidio, before cruising under Golde...

  Great experience. There are restrooms and a bar with snacks on board. It was a nice relaxing and educational tour to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island. Everyone was friendly. I would recommend 100%!!

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 9/28/2021
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  6. Skip-the-Line: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket

  Take a self-guided audio tour onboard the world’s longest-serving aircraft carrier, the historic USS Midway. See the carrier’s 25 restored aircraft from the days of WWII to Operation Desert Storm. Visit areas throughout the Midway, from the crew's sleeping quarters to the pilots' ready rooms. Docents are available throughout the carrier and are eager to share their stories, anecdotes, and statistics, creating a picture of just how important the USS Midway was to the U.S. Navy. Most guests spend 3 to 4 hours exploring this historic aircraft carrier and learning its history. The included audio guide, available in 6 languages, will help you explore the dozens of highlighted areas across the massive ship.  There are family-oriented activities throughout the Museum. Included are 3 types of flight simulators, music videos, short films, climb-aboard aircraft and cockpits, and more. The Museu...

  It was awesome enjoyed the audio device given to hear about the ship and aircraft on it and the tour and movie about the history of how the ship got it name was amazing

  Reviewed by Todd, 9/26/2021
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  7. Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

  The tour departs from Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf, where the boat sets sail into the harbor, home to breathtaking sea views. As the tour leaves the dock, catch a glimpse of the hundreds of Californian Sea Lions inside the harbor. Take advantage of the view and snap a photo to capture the memory. Upon leaving the harbor, the boat passes the historic Cannery Row and then enters the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Monterey is one of the world’s best locations for whale watching due to the deep submarine canyon close to shore. This is where the search for the wonders of the bay’s marine life begins. With whales spotted almost every day, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Keep your eyes peeled as you scan the water for the abundance of marine life that lives here. Search for feeding humpback whales, a variety of dolphin species, porpoises, blue whales, fin whales and more....

  From the very beginning of the trip, to the last second, this trip was PHENOMENAL! We had amazing crew and a whale that literally breached out in front of our boat... UNREAL! I've been on numerous whale watches in the past and this one is by far the BEST! Thank you for so much for an unforgettable adventure! ❤️

  Reviewed by Veronica, 9/20/2021
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  8. San Francisco Zoo Admission Ticket

  Arrive at the San Francisco Zoo, an urban oasis nestled against the Pacific Ocean home to over 2,000 animal varieties and more than 250 species of native and foreign plants. Your full-day admission ticket includes access to all areas including the majestic Leanne Roberts African Region and the Valentine Family Savanna. Both zones offer multi-species landscapes with giraffes, zebras, kudu, ostriches, storks, and more. At Hearst Grizzly Gulch, get nose-to-nose with rescued grizzly bear sisters Kachina and Kiona. See how lemurs leap through the Lipman Lemur Forest, the largest outdoor lemur habitat in the country. Marvel at Penguin Island which is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins outside of the wild. Admire the Zoo's troop of gorillas living in the lush Jones Family Gorilla Preserve. See farm animals for feeding and petting in the popular Fisher Family Children's Zoo. Fin...

  Our family met at the Zoo to celebrate our grandson's third birthday. There were 4 families. It was a great day for all! Of course the playground at the end with bread bowls of clam chowder were highlights. The kids especially enjoyed the big cats, the giraffes and the prarie dogs! Everything was clean and felt quite safe which allowed everyone to enjoy the day!

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 9/7/2021
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  9. South Lake Tahoe: Sightseeing Cruise of Emerald Bay

  Embark on a 2-hour sightseeing cruise starting in South Lake Tahoe either at sunset or during the day. Enjoy the scenic beauty while cruising 7 miles (11 kilometers) across the lake to the breathtaking Emerald Bay, known as one of the top ten most photographed places in the world. See the majestic mountains of South Lake Tahoe while onboard the world-class Tahoe Bleu Wave yacht. As you cruise, you will find indoor and outdoor seating with 360-degree panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, the snow-capped mountains, Fannette Island, Vikingsholm Castle, Eagle Waterfall, and the Rubicon. Enjoy the company of your captain as he navigates the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe and gives a personal narration of the facts and figures of this lake. If you’re lucky, you may even get the chance to see a variety of wildlife such as the bald eagle, black bears, and wild geese. if you've chosen the sunset option...

  The boat ride was absolutely worth the $100! The captain had tons of super interesting facts and book excerpts. It doesn't get much better that Emerald Bay, anywhere! Get there early so you can get yourself a great seat in on the front of the boat. I will do it again when I visit.

  Reviewed by Aimee, 8/13/2021
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  10. San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off: Classic, Premium or Deluxe

  San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Loop:

  Stop 1: Pier 41 (End of Powell St), Fisherman's Wharf 

  Stop 2: Washington Square – Corner of Columbus and Union Streets

  Stop 3: Embarcadero Center – Corner of Clay and Battery Streets

  Stop 4: Ferry Building - 1 Market Street, between Stuart and Spear Streets

  Stop 5: Union Square South – Geary Street across from Macy’s Entrance 

  Stop 6: Hilton Hotel – Corner of Mason and Ellis Streets 

  Stop 7: Civic Center - Fulton Street between Larkin and Hyde

  Stop 8: Alamo Square/Painted Ladies - Corner of Fell and Pierce Streets

  Stop 9: Haight Ashbury - Corner of Haight and Shrader Streets 

  Stop 10: Golden Gate Park - Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate Park

  Stop 11: Golden Gate Bridge- North Vista Point Main Parking Area

  Stop 12: Palace of Fine Arts – Corner of Rich...

  2 things to improve: they should give you a map when you first get on so you know which stops are closest to the sites you want to see. And both headphone jacks were on the same side, so my husband's cord was stretched across me the entire time.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 9/20/2021