For the person on your gift list who says they don’t want anything, nothing beats the gift of a special experience instead—and something you can share together. California is brimming with unique adventures that fit the bill—from surfing artificial waves in a cutting-edge pool to solving a murder mystery on a moving train. Check out this curated selection of 15 only-in-California experiences—gifts that will also create lasting memories.
Experience the Redwood Skywalk, Eureka
Feel the magic of Eureka’s lush and ancient forest at this unique attraction—an elevated walkway that winds through a majestic redwood canopy. With spectacular views and interpretive displays, the Redwood Skywalk is not only a scenic marvel (guests are suspended 100 feet above the forest floor), but an educational journey into the rich ecology and history of these old-growth giants. It's a must-visit attraction for anyone who loves communing with nature on a grand scale. Admission starts at $24.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids.
Snowshoe to Sacred Sites, Mt. Shasta
Rising more than 14,000 feet into the sky, Mt. Shasta has been revered as a spiritually charged spot by Indigenous people and Western mystics for centuries. Experience the soothing vibrations for yourself—and enjoy a picturesque winter wonderland along the way—with a four-hour guided snowshoe tour through the ancient volcano’s most sacred of sites. You’ll learn about the legends and lore of the land, including the secret city of Telos and Fairy Portal where visitors have claimed to spot fairies, Bigfoot, and UFOs. Prices start at $400 per person.
Go Sightseeing with the Painted Ladies Tour Company, San Francisco
Paint the town pastel while experiencing San Francisco’s most celebrated sights on one of the Painted Ladies Tour Company’s vintage Volkswagen buses. These vibrant, eyelash-accented vehicles take guests on a two-hour tour that includes Lombard Street, North Beach, and The Presidio before making a pit stop for photos at the Golden Gate Bridge and the tour’s namesake icons, the Painted Ladies. Prices start at $85 for adults, $65 for kids.
Feast Your Way Through Food & Farm Tours, Sonoma County
For the foodie in your life, Food & Farm Tours offers rich culinary excursions through Marin and Sonoma counties. On the Oyster Lover’s Tour, guests will spend nearly four hours shucking and slurping sustainably harvested oysters from local purveyors like Hog Island Oyster Co. and Tomales Bay Oyster Company. Tour-goers on the Cheese Lover’s Tour will be treated to charcuterie boards, woodfire baguettes, and fresh-out-of-the-oven pastries. For a little bit of everything, you can’t go wrong with the Food & Farm Tours’ most popular tasting: Flavors of Point Reyes. Prices start at $225.
Ride the River Fox Train, West Sacramento
Situated in Yolo County's countryside, the River Fox Train is a charming locomotive that offers nostalgic escapes into the region's past, with vintage carriages and scenic views of the American River. Choose from various themed excursions, from holiday train rides to wine-tasting tours, making it a treat for families, couples, or anyone seeking a unique way to explore the Central Valley. True crime aficionados can embrace their inner detective on River Fox’s whodunit-style murder mystery train experience. Prices start at about $65 per adult.
Fly a World War II–Era Plane, Lincoln
Cruise through the clouds like a WWII fighter pilot on a vintage—but still fully operational—1940s SNJ aircraft. Air Adventures in Lincoln offers 30-minute flying experiences over Placer County with views of Foresthill Bridge and Folsom Lake. Every airperson-in-training gets a chance to take the stick. Don’t worry: When it comes time for the giant loop-de-loop and barrel rolls, you’ll turn controls back over to the pro. Prices start at $350.
Join a Dog-Sledding Team, Mammoth Lakes
Mush alongside Malamutes and Huskies on a thrilling ride through Mammoth’s snow-covered wilderness with Mammoth Dog Teams. Participants are whisked through Smokey Bear Flats by a team of spirited sled dogs, then enjoy some quality time petting the pups. Tours typically last one or two hours, though there are overnight options too. All tours require a two-person minimum, making it ideal for couples or families. Prices start at $120 for kids, $250 for adults.
Ride the Waves at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, Lemoore
Located in the farm town of Lemoore about an hour south of Fresno, Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch is a high-tech beacon for the surf-obsessed. Its innovative “dial-a-wave” technology can calibrate a perfect barrel wave for amateurs and advanced surfers alike, making it an epic, over-the-top present for that special surfer in your life. Overnight options are also available at the Surf Ranch’s bookable Airstreams and lakeside cabins. Please contact the Surf Ranch for pricing details, as this high-end experience comes with a specialized cost.
Step Back in Time at Hearst Castle, San Simeon
On select Fridays during the fall season, the very special Art Under the Moonlight Tour invites visitors to experience the opulent San Luis Obispo County estate in a new light. As the sun sets over “La Cuesta Encantada,” the lavish gardens, filled with art, become illuminated by the moon. This exclusive experience is designed to transport tour-goers to the 1930s to see the estate through the eyes of glamorous former guests of William Randolph Hearst. Prices start at $25 for children, $50 for adults.
Kayak Through the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island
Paddle through hidden sea caves in California’s most remote national park on one of Channel Islands Adventure Company’s kayaking tours. Guests will spend the day kayaking through kelp forests on Santa Cruz Island and navigating Scorpion Anchorage,all while spotting bat rays, kelp crabs, and garibaldi fish along the way. Prices start at $187 for kids + ferry transportation ($55) and $205 for adults + ferry transportation ($70).
Enjoy Tea in Style at The Huntington, San Marino
Spend the afternoon clinking teacups and soaking up the ambience at the newly renovated Rose Garden Tea Room located at the historic estate just outside Pasadena. Experience a classic English tea service set amid The Huntington’s resplendent rose garden, with a menu of loose-leaf teas, tea sandwiches, house-made scones with clotted cream, and an array of pastries. For a truly indulgent teatime, add the caviar service too. Prices start at $28 for kids, $62 for adults, and requires admission to The Huntington.
Wine-Taste Aboard a Classic Cable Car, Temecula
Temecula Valley has been producing world-class wines for more than 80 years, and there’s no better way to sample this bounty than in a classic cable car, authentically restored from turn-of-the-century San Francisco streets. The five-hour tour stops at three different wineries. With the wind in your hair, you’ll enjoy views of rolling hills blanketed with grapevines from the open-air, wood-clad tram. Prices start at $144 per person.
Go Birding at a Midcentury Modern Estate, Rancho Mirage
Keep an eye out for hummingbirds, roadrunners, and vermilion flycatchers as you roam the grounds of Sunnylands, a stunning 29,000-square-foot estate. Constructed in 1966 for media mogul Walter Annenberg and his wife Leonore, Sunnylands has played host to dozens of dignitaries, diplomats, and celebrities. From November to April, visitors can embark on a 90-minute guided tour and discover why the Annenbergs turned 25 acres of their land into a bird sanctuary. Prices start at $42.
Watch for Whales in Orange County, Dana Point
The coastal waters off Dana Point serve as a migratory corridor for several whale species—and you can see these majestic creatures up close through a few different tours. Dana Wharf Whale Watching offers trips year-round, showcasing why this area is considered the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World. Depending on the season, you might see spyhopping humpbacks, spouting gray whales, or breaching blue whales. Prices start at $44 for kids, $52 for seniors, and $62 for adults. Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale-Watching Safari, meanwhile, offers a unique underwater-viewing capability, so that you can watch the gentle giants both above and below the surface. Prices online start at $52 for kids, $77 for ages 13 and up.
Embark on a World-Class Taco Tour, San Diego
Take a flavorful journey with Taco Tour San Diego, where participants explore San Diego's acclaimed and diverse taco scene bite by bite. Led by lively guides, guests pile into the taco tour bus for three and a half hours of Baja-style and al pastor goodness in Barrio Logan, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Little Italy. Prices start at $20 for kids, $40 for adults.
