Top California Holidays - page 2

Learn stories behind the Bay Area's most notorious former federal penitentiary on a fascinating 'Escape from the Rock' cruise. Board a boat for a journey through the bay while listening to audio recordings (available in several languages) from ex-prisoners and guards about daily life on 'The Rock.' Learn about the Birdman of Alcatraz and the infamous 1962 'Alcatraz Escape,' and come to know why Alcatraz instilled fear into the hearts of even the worst-of-the-worst criminals. Tours are accessible on any of your own wifi-enabled iPads, smartphones or other devices. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

Take a relaxing afternoon sailing cruise aboard a traditional sailboat on the San Francisco Bay. Cruise past landmarks such as Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, the Sausalito waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge, and see the San Francisco skyline on your way back to Pier 39. Includes two drinks, and personalized attention from the crew and captain.

On this San Francisco bike tour, you’ll cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, ride from Fisherman’s Wharf to Crissy Field, and stop for photo ops of the San Francisco Bay. The guided tour ends in Sausalito, where you are free to return to the city at your leisure (either bike back or purchase a ferry ticket). This tour includes use of a classic bike or electric bike for the full day.

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from more than 50 productions on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Uncover the scandalous, high-society history of San Francisco's most illustrious hill on a walking tour of Nob Hill. Hear the stories behind the grand hotels and stately mansions built by the city's powerful 19th-century business tycoons and politicians, and learn how the advent of the cable car and the disastrous 1906 earthquake shaped one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods.

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.

San Francisco's rollicking, rags-to-riches history has left plenty of haunted happenings in its wake, so explore the city's more sinister side on a walking ghost tour. Visit some of San Francisco's most historic and allegedly haunted locations on and around Nob Hill, once the epicenter of San Francisco high society. Learn trivia and hidden history along the way on this ghoulishly fun, after-dark adventure.

Cycle through San Francisco and across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on this 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.

Dive deep into one of San Francisco’s most historic neighborhoods on this Chinatown walking tour. From paper lanterns to medicinal herbs to a fortune cookie factory, explore both popular and lesser-known gems in this bustling district with an in-the-know guide. Learn about Chinatown's fascinating history and culture, as well as private clubs, from your expert insider guide.

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get an up-close look at the city’s two engineering marvels—the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge—as you travel across San Francisco Bay. See major city sights like Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building, and listen to recorded commentary about the city's legendary architecture while you glide under both bridges.

Avoid the crowds, confusion, and limitations of large buses and discover San Francisco by luxury minivan. This half-day, small-group tour takes offers the perfect city overview. Stop for photo opportunities at some of San Francisco's most popular attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks, and learn more from your guide's stories. By the end of the tour, you'll have seen the best of the City by the Bay.

Ensure hassle-free San Francisco airport pickup with this private transfer service to downtown San Francisco, downtown Oakland, or the town of Sausalito. Meet your driver at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and relax on the journey to your hotel or private residence. Private luxury sedans can accommodate up to three passengers while SUVs can carry five passengers.

From the Hollywood sign to the sunny beaches of Santa Monica to the glitz of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is so full of iconic sights it can be tricky to see them all. This guided tour seamlessly transports you by coach to all of the city's top attractions—from Venice Beach to the Sunset Strip to Griffith Park and more—so that you don't need to worry about missing a thing.

Spare yourself the headache of car rental and navigation with round-trip bus transit from San Francisco to Muir Woods. Listen to live commentary during the drive to the national forest. Entrance is included to the park, where you enjoy 1.5-hours to explore on your own. Next, stop by the scenic seaside town of Sausalito, and stroll independently. Afterwards, relax during your return journey through the Marin Headlands.

Spend your day exploring the ‘City by the Bay’ before a scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument and the nearby waterfront of charming Sausalito. This narrated small-group tour takes in all of the San Francisco highlights, from Golden Gate Park and Haight-Ashbury to the Palace of Fine Arts and Presidio. Then wander on foot under California’s giant coastal redwoods before exploring the gift shops and galleries of Sausalito.

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

Embark on a unique Wine Country experience with a trip aboard the Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley. Modeled after the famed cable cars of San Francisco, the trolley shuttles you through Sonoma’s picturesque winemaking region with stops at several top wineries. Taste wines at each estate (tasting fees separate expense), and enjoy a delicious lunch en route. Learn about the history of Sonoma as you roll past historic landmarks throughout the day.

Even if you only have a few hours to spare you can still enjoy California's famous wine country on this half-day adventure from San Francisco. Cruise over the Golden Gate Bridge to start your outing, and visit two Sonoma Valley wineries for included tastings. Sip local wines, enjoy an estate tour, and learn about the wine production, aging, and bottling process from an expert host.

Hop into your private SUV for a wine tour of the Sonoma or Napa Valley with a private guide. You can make your own itinerary and your guide/driver will be happy to provide recommendations. You can taste as much wine as you like (tasting fees at your own expense) without worrying about who will be the sober driver; all of your transportation is taken care of.

Taste some of California's best wines on this tour of California’s Central Coast Wine Region. Enjoy breathtaking views on the way to Santa Ynez Valley on board a luxury passenger van. Our local guide will enhance your wine production knowledge while you tour our partner wineries. Admission to three wineries, lunch and snacks are included with this tasting tour.

Join other wine lovers and your host for a day exploring four of Temecula’s best wineries. A different combination of wineries are selected according to time of year and events happening, so you can be sure of variety and a streamlined experience. Enjoy a delectable lunch at one vineyard, and there is a possibility of going behind the scenes at one winery.

Enjoy the best wines of California on this all inclusive tour. Immerse yourself in the exquisite Paso Robles wine country on this 5-hour, small-group journey. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch among the beautiful vineyard setting. Appreciate a variety of wines, with a full flight of tastings offered at all three locations.

Take a tour to three backroads Sonoma wineries, and get more out of your trip to the Sonoma Valley than you would if you explored alone, on this small-group, half-day tour. Not only does your guide pick three impressive wineries to visit (tasting fees own expense), but they also set up a picnic lunch for your group to enjoy in a winery setting. Round-trip transport from your Sonoma hotel is also included, so you can focus on enjoyment and leave the driving to someone else.