Top California Extreme

It’s difficult to appreciate the beauty of Napa Valley’s rolling vineyards from between the vines—it’s much easier from the skies. Starting just after sunrise, step into your hot-air balloon to watch the valley come alive, floating up to 2,000 feet in the air. Enjoy coffee before and sparkling wine after, celebrating your silent journey gliding along the California horizon.

Find out what skydiving feels like without the hurl-yourself-from-a-plane part during this indoor experience in Ontario, California. At iFly Ontario, you'll "fly" inside a vertical wind tunnel, which mimics the free-fall of skydiving. Training is provided, and no experience is required.

Explore the geology around California’s legendary San Andreas fault during a Jeep tour from Palm Desert. See a desert oasis fed by an underground spring as your naturalist guide describes how the Native American Cahuilla tribe used the desert's plants for food, medicine, and shelter. Marvel at steep-walled canyons and tall twisted rock mountains, and learn about the plant and animal life of the area. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour that includes light snacks, bottled water, and round-trip transport from Palm Desert.

Get acquainted with the landmarks and highlights of Yosemite National Park during this 9-hour day tour from Fresno or Oakhurst. Travel into the Yosemite Valley through the Southgate, then spend the day viewing and photographing some of the valley's best features such as Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite’s high country.  Hike down the 4-Mile Trail (during the spring to fall) or choose to remain on the bus. Lunch will be provided and can be eaten along the trail. National Park entrance fees included.

At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree is nearly impossible to take in on foot, and the best views are far off the paved path. Touring the park via 4x4, you’ll get to ride deep into the rugged backcountry, nabbing enviable views of the Mojave Desert, the sacred Joshua trees, wild rock formations, and more, making the most of your precious time in this incredible national park.

Get to know Lake Tahoe while keeping your eyes on the road and the magnificent scenery with a self-guided audio tour designed for listening in your own car. Many of Tahoe's natural and historic treasures are tucked away, but this downloadable smartphone app will take you to must-see locations and hidden gems. Start and stop the tour whenever you like, and explore Tahoe at your own pace.

Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks and guided bus tours. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

Group tours that involve exercise can either go way too slow or end up leaving you in the dust. Don’t settle to explore a new area uncomfortably. Instead, prebook this Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Bike Tour of North Shore, and ride at your own pace. Pedal along bike paths away from heavy car traffic, and see stunningly beautiful areas like San Harbor, Hidden Beach, Memorial Beach, and Kings Beach.

The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

Weight limits apply: Maximum per-passenger weight is 250lbs. Maximum weight of all passengers combined must not exceed 500lbs. Passenger weights must be accurately provided at time of booking. Groups reaching a combined weight of 500 lbs will be subject to a weight check upon arrival for their flight. Any individual weighing 300 lbs or more will not be permitted to fly per the limitations of the aircraft. Any cancellation of a planned flight due to weights exceeding the maximum allowable aircraft weight (individual or combined) will be charged at full price. Starting at South Tahoe Airport, this 30 minute tour first embarks to Emerald Bay, then south past Mount Tallac, and over the shoreline of Fallen Leaf lake. Head west over Glen Alpine Falls below, climbing towards Pyramid Peak. The area is scattered with myriad lakes and waterfalls. Fly over Lake Aloha and past Horsetail Falls, dropping nearly 500 feet.

Ride a GoCar all over San Francisco as it navigates for you and provides a guided tour. Take as long as you like to explore the city with a storytelling car as your guide — what Time Magazine has called "one of the coolest inventions of the year." Let this tiny car show you what the city is all about, learn about its history and visit sites like the Presidio, Coit Tower, Chinatown and Lombard Street. Pick up your car at one of two convenient locations: Union Square or Beach Street near Fisherman's Wharf.

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 either of the two departure points or taking the Sausalito ferry back to San Francisco (Pier 41).

Slip behind the wheel of a supercar—and discover some of Hollywood's iconic landmarks as you go—on this private Ferrari tour. Pick from multiple start times, from morning to evening, and choose whether you want to drive, split the driving with someone else, or ride as a passenger. Whichever you pick, you can cruise along Hollywood Boulevard, stop to pose in front of the Hollywood Sign, and more.

Sail Tahoe Blue is the premier sailing charter in South Lake Tahoe. We offer a unique sailing adventure and include complementary local beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic beverages on all of our daily cruises. Unlike other tour boats which take 50+ passengers, our sailing yacht, "Blue", limits our capacity to 18 passengers. If you care to enjoy the beauty of propulsion by Mother Nature without the sound and smell of an engine, come sail with us!

Group tours of any kind can either go too fast or too slow, making for a less than ideal experience. Explore Lake Tahoe at your own pace with this self-guided electric bike tour on East Shore Trail and make stops when you choose to. Your journey along the trail ends at Sand Harbor, a popular area for swimming and boating.

Discover the underwater world of Catalina Island during a 45-minute ride on a semi-submarine. The semi-sub allows you to view the marine life of Avalon Bay as you dive six feet (two meters) below the surface at Lovers' Cove. Stay dry as you get a close look at fish feeding around the submarine, then take in views of the island from your vessel's top deck during the return journey to Avalon.

See what lives in the Pacific waters surrounding Catalina Island on a 45-minute underwater cruise. As you sit comfortably in a climate-controlled cabin on board a large boat, you'll glide five feet (1.5 meters) below the surface to look for marine life in their natural habitat out of your own porthole. Along the way, listen to live commentary from a guide.

Get two classic San Francisco experiences—a bike ride starting at Fisherman’s Wharf and a visit to the notorious prison island of Alcatraz—in one combined tour package. Take a scenic ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, where you can explore at your own pace on a self-guided audio tour. Use the flexible 1-day bike rental on the day of your choosing and enjoy a safe ride with a helmet included.

Explore many miles of Lake Tahoe's beautiful East Shore Trail without breaking a sweat on a self-guided e-bike tour. Set the bike's battery boost settings to your own personal preference, and set off on fully paved, traffic-free paths for a stress-free day of cycling. The bike is yours for the entire day, along with bike locks so you can pop off to enjoy beaches and forests along the way.

Enjoy easy access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid skip-the-line ticket. Walk right in to enjoy the museum's 4-story rain forest, planetarium, and aquarium. Avoid wasting your precious vacation waiting in the long lines to purchase tickets for this exhibit-packed museum. Your admission includes all shows and exhibits, and is a perfect activity for families. IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: All guests ages 12+ must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours of a visit in order to enter the Academy, and photo ID is required for all guests ages 18+. While masks are longer required indoors, we strongly encourage all guests to keep masking up.

Go back in time to the old Wild West on this tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada, including a train ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. With a guide, you’ll start your day trip by minibus, driving along part of the Pony Express. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a 6.5-mile round-trip train ride before enjoying free time in town to explore at your leisure, perhaps visiting museums or a historical saloon.

Tour San Francisco in an open-air safari jeep, then visit Alcatraz during this half-day urban adventure. With your small group, cruise through the city, passing landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks, then winding through the city's diverse neighborhoods. Disembark at Pier 33 to board your Alcatraz cruise, then take the self-guided audio tour to learn about the prison's rich history. Pickup at your hotel in San Francisco is included.

Learn about California's geology and desert wilderness on a half-day Jeep/SUV 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.

Explore a shady oasis and rugged canyons on a 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.