Activities in California
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TOP SELLER
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip
14 hours (Departs San Francisco, California)
by Viator
Take time out for a day trip into the wild beauty of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. Enjoy the beautiful countryside and discover the raw beauty of…Not LP reviewed
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Half-Day Deep-Sea Fishing Cruise from Newport Beach
5 hours (Departs Newport Beach, California)
by Viator
Spend a fun-filled half day on the ocean waters just off the coast of Newport Beach on this deep-sea fishing cruise. Rod and tackle equipment is included, so…Not LP reviewed
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Hiking Trails
With over 800 miles of hiking trails, Yosemite is a delight for trekkers of all abilities. You can take an easy half-mile stroll on the valley floor; venture out all day on a quest for viewpoints, waterfalls and lakes or go wilderness camping in the remote outer reaches of the backcountry.
Some of the park's most popular hikes start right in Yosemite Valley, including, the most famous of all, to the top of Half Dome (17-mile round-trip). It follows a section of the John Muir Trail and is strenuous, difficult and best tackled in two days with an overnight in Little Yosemite Valley. Reaching the top can only be done after rangers have installed fixed cables. Depending on…
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Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour
8 hours (Departs San Francisco, California)
by Viator
Combine a San Francisco City Tour and guided visit to Alcatraz for the ultimate introduction to San Francisco! You'll enjoy the beauty and attractions of…Not LP reviewed
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Walking
The large parks of the Oakland Hills are ideal for day hiking. Information is available from the East Bay Regional Parks District. The district manages 59 regional parks, preserves and recreation areas in the Alameda and Contra Costa counties, which contain some 1000 miles of trails.
Off Hwy 24, the Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve is the northernmost of the Oakland Hills parks. It has great views of the Bay Area from its Round Top Peak (1761ft), an old volcano cone. From Sibley, Skyline Blvd runs south past Redwood Regional Park and the adjacent Joaquin Miller Park to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. A hike or mountain-bike ride through the groves and along the…
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Integratron
The Integratron is worth a visit. The story is that visitors from Venus arrived in a flying saucer and told former aerospace engineer George van Tassel of a process for cell rejuvenation involving a dome based on principles of sacred geometry. He began work on it in 1953, calling the dome at once a time machine, a rejuvenation machine and an anti-gravity device.
There's no documentation of its actually achieving any of that, but the draw today is 30-minute 'sound baths', in which docents stroke crystal bowls under the acoustically perfect dome; many visitors report an out-of-body experience, so maybe van Tassel realized his goal after all.
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Baker Beach
Down craggy bluffs, past wind-sculpted Monterey pines and cypress trees, beckons a mile-long stretch of sandy beach, with fishing spots galore and full-frontal nudity at the north end (gay men and straight girls). The views of the Golden Gate are spectacular, but huge crowds come weekends. The all-gay local beach is further north, at Marshall’s Beach (aka Marcia’s Beach), immediately before the bridge. Ask around for directions, but never climb the dangerous rugged cliffs north from Baker to reach it. Take pathways, and find the stairs.
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Oakland A's
Giants on the road? Across the Bay Bridge, the A's are usually at home, expanding the possibilities for a summer baseball fix - BART stops just outside the ballpark. The A's most recent championship came at the Giants' expense in the quake-addled 1989 series, but they are still fierce contenders, having made the first round of playoffs in 2006. Sadly, this team will likely be moving away from the aging, inhospitable Coliseum.
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Anchor Brewing Company
Beer-lovers: Anchor Brewing Company offers weekday public tours, but you have to make reservations by phone at least a month in advance (three in summer). It’s worth the wait for the 45-minute tour of Anchor’s historic facilities and shiny-copper brewhouse, the crash course in beer-tasting, and six half-pints of different Anchor brews at the end. For free. ‘Nuf said.
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Disneyland Park
Spotless, wholesome Disneyland is still laid out according to Walt's original plans: Main Street USA, a pretty thoroughfare lined with old-fashioned ice-cream parlors and shops, is the gateway into the park. Though kids will make a beeline for the rides, adults will enjoy the antique photos and history exhibit just inside the main park entrance at the Disneyland Story: presenting Great Moments with Mr Lincoln.
At the far end of the street is Sleeping Beauty Castle, an obligatory photo op and a central landmark worth noting – its towering blue turrets are visible from many areas of the park. The sections of Disneyland radiate from here like spokes on a wheel. Fantasyland…
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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Flexible (Departs Palm Springs, California)
by Viator
lt;pgt;On a hot summer's day, one of the best things to do in Palm Springs is to take a ride from the dry desert floor with the Aerial Tramway, 5,873 feet up…Not LP reviewed
from USD$23.89 Advertisement
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Lake Chabot
At the southern end of Chabot Park is the enormous Lake Chabot, with an easy trail along its shore and canoes, kayaks and other boats for rent from the Lake Chabot marina (510-582-2198).
AC Transit bus 53 runs daily from the Fruitvale BART station to the Chabot Center and Joaquin Miller Park. Bus 46 runs from the Coliseum BART along Skyline Blvd, during weekday commute hours.
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Kayaking & Boating
At the southern end of Chabot Park is the enormous Lake Chabot, with an easy trail along its shore and canoes, kayaks and other boats for rent from the Lake Chabot marina (510-582-2198).
AC Transit bus 53 runs daily from the Fruitvale BART station to the Chabot Center and Joaquin Miller Park. Bus 46 runs from the Coliseum BART along Skyline Blvd, during weekday commute hours.
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Lake Tahoe Sleigh Ride
Varies (Departs Lake Tahoe)
by Viator
Experience an old fashioned sleigh ride around beautiful Lake Tahoe in one of several antique European sleighs! Your sleigh ride adventure will take you over…Not LP reviewed
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Bella Pelle Skin Studio
This cheery-bright spa is a chic treat, with lovely details like free mimosas and muffins on Sundays. The down-to-earth staff pampers, whether you’re braving a wax job (they do ’em all here) or lying back for a top-notch facial, the spa’s specialty. They also make their own high-quality scrubs, balms, custom-blended makeup, and even a numbing cream.
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Santa Barbara Old Town Trolley
Santa Barbara Old Town Trolley operates 90-minute guided tours in an open-sided, San Francisco-style, motorized cable car. It gives a great overview of the city's sights, and allows you to get on and off at 14 different stops. Start the tour at Stearns Wharf, or call for other pick-up points. Pay the driver directly; check online for discounts.
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California Riding & Hiking Trail
A 35-mile-long stretch of the California Riding & Hiking Trail, administered by California State Parks, passes through Joshua Tree; plan two to three days to hike the trail through the park. To protect fragile soil crusts (cryptobiotic soil) which allow plant life to grow and keep the desert from blowing away, stay on established trails.
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Santa Barbara Sailing Center
Rents kayaks, teaches sailing and offers sunset cocktail cruises and guided paddling tours.
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F Line Streetcar
All aboard the Pride Express, the most leisurely way to get out and about in SF. Hop the refurbished antique streetcar of your desire: whether you prefer the orange Milan model Castro-bound, a green Bostonian headed straight downtown, or might consider going both ways, this is one city where your preference can always be accommodated.
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Six Flags
Velocity is king at Six Flags, the ultimate roller-coaster park, where you can go up, down and inside-out faster and in more baffling ways than anywhere aside from a space shuttle. Check the website for discounts. It's about 30 miles north of central LA off the I-5 (Golden State Fwy). Parking is $15.
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Sanctuary Cruises
Departing from Moss Landing, 20 miles north of Monterey, this biodiesel boat runs recommended whale-watching and dolphin-spotting tours (reservations essential).
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Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail
There is a wide variety of hiking trails ( M0383) on offer. Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail, a popular self-guided loop trail that goes northeast from the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground (), climbs 350ft in 3 miles past a palm grove and waterfall, a delightful oasis in the dry, rocky countryside.
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Sand Dune Park
Kick off your flip-flops for an impromptu workout on these steep, 100ft sand dunes hidden on a residential block near the intersection of Rosecrans and Highland Aves. Who knows – you might just see a Laker working on his quads too. Whether you run, walk or crawl, it’s steeper than it looks.
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Open Air Bikes
Road cyclists should check out Open Air Bikes for rentals, sales and accessories. The helpful staff has loads of information on local rides. Road bikes rent for about around US$75 per day, with costs decreasing the longer the rental. It's about $210 per week.
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Sunset Kidd's Sailing Cruises
Sunset Kidd's Sailing Cruises will take you on a two-hour whale-watching trip in an 18-passenger sailboat for around US$35 per person. It also operates pleasure trips - try the sunset cocktail cruise - for the same price.
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Los Baños del Mar
You can also swim in Los Baños del Mar , a municipal outdoor pool near West Beach which is good for recreational and lap swimming. For little ones under eight years old, there's a wonderful wading pool.
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