Top California Day Trips & Excursions

Q: Got any more California trip ideas?

We sure do. Check out our curated lists of hand-picked California Tours. Top 10 California 2026 Senior-friendly tours California The best tours and activities for culture lovers in California Top Day Trips from California Things to do in California this summer View all California Trip Ideas →

Q: What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in California?

Based on our sales data over the past year, the most popular styles of tours and activities in California are: California Luxury & Special Occasions California Luxury Tours California Tours & Sightseeing California Cultural & Theme Tours California Outdoor Activities View all tour styles in California →

This private tour covers the most important and fun hotspots in Los Angeles with stops for photos and meals. The tour can include Hollywood, Sunset …More

Los Angeles, USA

4.6 (65)

Deluxe Private Tour of Los Angeles

This private tour covers the most important and fun hotspots in Los Angeles with stops for photos and meals. The tour can include Hollywood, Sunset...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.6 (65)

from
$1,000

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours

Embark on an enchanting journey through Joshua Tree & Palm Springs with this pair of self-guided driving tours. Cruise through the open desert in Joshua …More

Palm Springs, USA

4.6 (56)

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours

Embark on an enchanting journey through Joshua Tree & Palm Springs with this pair of self-guided driving tours. Cruise through the open desert in Joshua...

3 to 5 hours Free Cancellation

4.6 (56)

from
$21

Napa Valley Wine Train Vista Dome Lunch Car

Embark on an immersive three-hour journey featuring panoramic 360-degree Napa Valley views, plush dining booths, and unforgettable photo opportunities with your travel companions. The Vista …More

Napa & Sonoma, USA

4.4 (51)

Napa Valley Wine Train Vista Dome Lunch Car

Embark on an immersive three-hour journey featuring panoramic 360-degree Napa Valley views, plush dining booths, and unforgettable photo opportunities with your travel companions. The Vista...

3 hours

4.4 (51)

from
$410

Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour 3 Tastings Included Small-Group Tour

Enjoy an unforgettable day in the heart of California's famous Wine Country. Visit three highly regarded wineries and take a sip during an included wine …More

San Francisco, USA

4.7 (45)

Sonoma and Napa Wine Tour 3 Tastings Included Small-Group Tour

Enjoy an unforgettable day in the heart of California's famous Wine Country. Visit three highly regarded wineries and take a sip during an included wine...

9 hours Free Cancellation

4.7 (45)

from
$219

Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

Experience the harsh beauty of a land like no other: Death Valley. Famed for its record-breaking temperatures, this valley also serves up some sizzling scenery, …More

Death Valley National Park, USA

4.3 (39)

Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour

Experience the harsh beauty of a land like no other: Death Valley. Famed for its record-breaking temperatures, this valley also serves up some sizzling scenery,...

4 to 5 hours Free Cancellation

4.3 (39)

from
$14

Full-Day Escape: Muir Redwoods plus Napa & Sonoma Wineries Tour

Discover three of Northern California’s top attractions in one unforgettable day: Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Napa or Sonoma Wine Country. Start with a scenic drive …More

San Francisco, USA

4.7 (38)

Full-Day Escape: Muir Redwoods plus Napa & Sonoma Wineries Tour

Discover three of Northern California’s top attractions in one unforgettable day: Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Napa or Sonoma Wine Country. Start with a scenic drive...

9 hours Free Cancellation

4.7 (38)

from
$144

Private Tour of Los Angeles in a Luxury Vehicle

We love to show our guest Los Angeles with all the highlights and hidden gem's to create a unique experience for out guests. Explore the …More

Malibu, USA

4.7 (37)

Private Tour of Los Angeles in a Luxury Vehicle

We love to show our guest Los Angeles with all the highlights and hidden gem's to create a unique experience for out guests. Explore the...

1 to 12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.7 (37)

from
$599

Join us on this cultivated 5 to 6 Hour excursion and take home your own authentic Santa Barbara Wine Tour experience. This tour includes 3 …More

Santa Barbara, USA

4.7 (29)

Private All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour

Join us on this cultivated 5 to 6 Hour excursion and take home your own authentic Santa Barbara Wine Tour experience. This tour includes 3...

5 to 6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.7 (29)

from
$200

Carmel Valley Wine Tour's Premium Package

Join Carmel Valley’s #1 Wine Tasting Tour! Over 20 years of Carmel Valley Wine Tasting experience! Start the Day with a scenic ride out to …More

Monterey & Carmel, USA

4.6 (28)

Carmel Valley Wine Tour's Premium Package

Join Carmel Valley’s #1 Wine Tasting Tour! Over 20 years of Carmel Valley Wine Tasting experience! Start the Day with a scenic ride out to...

5 hours

4.6 (28)

from
$245

San Francisco to Yosemite One-Way Transfer

If you are needing a more flexible itinerary to experience the wild, natural beauty of Yosemite National Park this is the tour for you. This …More

San Francisco, USA

4.6 (26)

San Francisco to Yosemite One-Way Transfer

If you are needing a more flexible itinerary to experience the wild, natural beauty of Yosemite National Park this is the tour for you. This...

5 to 6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.6 (26)

from
$164

Alcatraz Muir Woods with Sausalito Express

Guests will be assigned a departure time to Alcatraz Island and a same day visit to Muir Woods, Golden Gate, and Sausalito. This one day …More

San Francisco, USA

4.7 (26)

Alcatraz Muir Woods with Sausalito Express

Guests will be assigned a departure time to Alcatraz Island and a same day visit to Muir Woods, Golden Gate, and Sausalito. This one day...

4 to 7 hours

4.7 (26)

from
$153

Napa and Sonoma-8-hr Private-Wine Tour from San Francisco XL SUV

This wine tour will take you to the best wineries in Sonoma and Napa County. Our years of experience in quality wine touring has allowed …More

San Francisco, USA

4.7 (26)

Napa and Sonoma-8-hr Private-Wine Tour from San Francisco XL SUV

This wine tour will take you to the best wineries in Sonoma and Napa County. Our years of experience in quality wine touring has allowed...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.7 (26)

from
$127

Alcatraz Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Combo Tour

Two most popular destinations in one day! At 8 AM, Join us for a narrated and scenic drive from San Francisco across the Golden Gate …More

San Francisco, USA

4.5 (24)

Alcatraz Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Combo Tour

Two most popular destinations in one day! At 8 AM, Join us for a narrated and scenic drive from San Francisco across the Golden Gate...

8 hours Free Cancellation

4.5 (24)

from
$159

Santa Barbara Scenic Train and Coastal Charm 1-Day Trip from LA

Escape the buzz of LA and glide up the coast in style aboard the legendary Amtrak Coast Starlight train from Oxnard Railway Station to Santa …More

Anaheim & Buena Park, USA

4.3 (23)

Santa Barbara Scenic Train and Coastal Charm 1-Day Trip from LA

Escape the buzz of LA and glide up the coast in style aboard the legendary Amtrak Coast Starlight train from Oxnard Railway Station to Santa...

10 to 12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.3 (23)

from
$188

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco

Embark on a quintessential California road trip with this customizable full-day tour down the Pacific Coastal Highway from San Francisco. See the Big Sur coastline, visit the Monterey Peninsula — famous …More

Sausalito, USA

4.5 (19)

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco

10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.5 (19)

from
$1,020

LA to San Diego: History, Harbor & USS Midway Magic in one day

Ready for a Southern California escape? This all-in-one San Diego day tour from Los Angeles delivers history, culture, and coastal charm in one unforgettable journey. …More

Newport Beach, USA

4.4 (19)

LA to San Diego: History, Harbor & USS Midway Magic in one day

Ready for a Southern California escape? This all-in-one San Diego day tour from Los Angeles delivers history, culture, and coastal charm in one unforgettable journey....

9 to 10 hours Free Cancellation

4.4 (19)

from
$202

Catalina Island Trip with Hotel transfers & Optional tours

Spend a day in paradise on this day trip to Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. After a smooth 1-hour ferry ride to …More

Long Beach, USA

4.4 (18)

Catalina Island Trip with Hotel transfers & Optional tours

Spend a day in paradise on this day trip to Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. After a smooth 1-hour ferry ride to...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered

4.4 (18)

from
$242

Guided Tour of Historic Virginia City and Carson City from South Lake Tahoe

Step back in time on this narrated tour following the Pony Express Trail to America’s largest historic landmark Virginia City – the Comstock Lode founded …More

Lake Tahoe, USA

4.6 (18)

Guided Tour of Historic Virginia City and Carson City from South Lake Tahoe

Step back in time on this narrated tour following the Pony Express Trail to America’s largest historic landmark Virginia City – the Comstock Lode founded...

7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.6 (18)

from
$70

Private Day Tour to Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks From LA

Experience the beauty of Sequoia and Kings Canyon Park on a private 1-day tour from Los Angeles. I will pick you up and take you …More

Los Angeles, USA

4.3 (14)

Private Day Tour to Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks From LA

Experience the beauty of Sequoia and Kings Canyon Park on a private 1-day tour from Los Angeles. I will pick you up and take you...

15 to 18 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.3 (14)

from
$1,090

Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles

Get a true taste of the world famous California wines. During our tour you will discover of the true beauty of the Santa Barbara and …More

Los Angeles, USA

4.6 (13)

Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles

Get a true taste of the world famous California wines. During our tour you will discover of the true beauty of the Santa Barbara and...

8 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.6 (13)

from
$349

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are based on answers previously given to Cool Shore Excursions customers' questions.

What are the best options for California Day Trips & Excursions?

What are the best kid-friendly options for California Day Trips & Excursions Tours?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best kid-friendly California Day Trips & Excursions are:

View all kid-friendly Tours →

Which California Day Trips & Excursions have Instant Confirmation?

California Day Trips & Excursions with Instant Confirmation include:

View all Tours with Instant Confirmation →

Which California Day Trips & Excursions have Free Cancellation?

California Day Trips & Excursions with Free Cancellation (in most cases up to 24 hours in advance of your tour date, check the specific tour page) include:

View all Tours with Free Cancellation →

I need a ride! Which California Day Trips & Excursions have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These California Day Trips & Excursions include Hotel Pickup:

View all Tours with Hotel Pickup →

Got any more California trip ideas?

What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in California?