Things to do in Central California

Activities, attractions and tours

A waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with a clear blue sky above.
A coastal landscape with cliffs, clear turquoise waters, and distant mountains.
A coastal cityscape with a prominent hill and a tall tower on top.
A diner with neon signs and a striped awning.
A person carrying a surfboard on a beach with another surfboard lying on the sand and mountains in the background.

Things to do

Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

€121
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets
Relaxing Sunset Cruise in Newport Beach

Relaxing Sunset/Evening Cruise in Newport Beach

€22
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Relaxing Sunset/Evening Cruise in Newport Beach
Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim

Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim

€77
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, with Beaches from Anaheim
Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach

Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach

€26
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach
Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

€51
per adult
Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise
Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island

Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island

€41
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island
Luxury Whale Watching: Fewer People, Extra Speed, Expert Staff

Luxury Whale Watching: Fewer People, Extra Speed, Expert Staff

€51
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Luxury Whale Watching: Fewer People, Extra Speed, Expert Staff
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Most popular experiences in Central California

Tours & day trips

See all 307 activities
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour

San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour

Activity duration is 15 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 401 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €201 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 110 activities
Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Silicon Valley Private 2-Hour Driving Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
7.4 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €44 per traveller*
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 68 activities
San Jose: "The Escape Game" Ticket at Valley Fair

San Jose: "The Escape Game" Ticket at Valley Fair

Activity duration is 1 hour
10.0 out of 10 with 5 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €41 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 27 activities
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour and 15 minutes
9.0 out of 10 with 6 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €57 per adult
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing CruiseOpens in new tab

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 8 activities
Santa Cruz Spooks & Shadows Ghost Tour

Santa Cruz Spooks & Shadows Ghost Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour
8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is €21 per adult
Santa Cruz Spooks & Shadows Ghost TourOpens in new tab

What to do in Central California

Stay near popular Central California attractions

A waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with a clear blue sky above.

Yosemite Valley

9.8/10 (4,031 reviews)
From Yosemite Falls to Half Dome and El Capitan, you can see some of the most stunning scenery in the world from Yosemite National Park’s central valley.
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A calm lake with reflections of trees and a small building, surrounded by rolling hills.

Bakersfield

A river flowing through a forest with tall, rugged mountains in the background.

Merced

A snowboarder carving through deep snow with a clear blue sky in the background.

Mammoth Lakes

A coastal town with a pier extending into turquoise waters, a sandy beach, and a backdrop of buildings.

Santa Maria

A two-story building with a gabled roof, a flagpole with an American flag, and a sign that reads "Alain Pinel."

Carmel

A church with a bell tower, surrounded by palm trees and a well-maintained garden.

Santa Clara

A mountainous landscape with a winding road, a large lake, and distant snow-capped peaks.

Bridgeport

A beach with a pier, houses, and palm trees.

Aptos

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