Outdoor Activities in California

Explore the uncanny landscape of Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.5-hour van tour from Palm Desert, near Palm Springs. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned van or SUV as you navigate soaring granite formations and groves of the park's famously spiky trees, and capture unforgettable images of terrain that spans the Colorado and Mojave deserts. Trace a gentle trail into the rocks at Hidden Valley and Keys View, watch for the park's reclusive wildlife, and experience the unique beauty of one America's most remarkable national parks.

Travel to the Hoover Dam in a luxury Hummer H2 during this 4-hour excursion from Las Vegas. On the approximately 45-minute ride, watch an informative DVD on the Hummer's state-of-the-art media system that will give you background on the dam and prepare you for your tour. Upon arrival, take the Discovery Tour, an experience that includes riding an elevator 500 feet (152 meters) into the depths of the Black Canyon's walls to check out the power plant generators.

Escape the city to fire a variety of guns at a military-style outdoor range in Arizona's Mohave Desert. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure with hotel pickup and drop-off (select Las Vegas properties) and lunch included. Make a photo stop at the Hoover Dam before arriving at the shooting range. Opt to add on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour and Lake Mead National Park ATV tour, if you like. 

Go cross-country skiing in South Lake Tahoe, and enjoy the winter wonderland scenery while getting an excellent workout. With this cross-country ski rental package, you'll receive the equipment you need to explore the mountain trails of the Sierra Nevada. Get fitted for boots, poles, skis, and bindings - plus you can rent or buy outerwear, if you need it. Reserving your rental in advance ensures you won't miss out during the busy ski season.

This fun-filled tour by ATV includes plenty of history and excitement. Venture into Lake Mead Recreation Area and see the Colorado River, Hoover Dam and the mines of Eldorado Canyon with your friendly, professional guide. Escape the bright lights and crowds of Las Vegas and journey off the beaten path on this nature-focused experience that highlights the best of the west.

Discover the towering Giant Sequoia trees of Yosemite during the winter on this half-day snowshoe hike. Hike through the Tuolumne and Merced groves to marvel at these 3,000-year old trees that reach heights upwards of 300 feet. Traverse the dense forests with hiking shoes or snowshoes, if there is a lot of snow on the ground, and learn about the biodiversity of the park.

Join our expert guides as we take you through the hills of Hollywood and ascend the mountain range to the closest possible view of Hollywood Sign on this 3 hour hiking tour. Enjoy the views of Hollywood, Downtown LA, Burbank and especially the World Famous Sign, all without getting lost in the confusing canyons. Hear stories of early Hollywood, movie making and attempted murder... but BE WARNED! It's a hard hike so come prepared. No bathrooms and requires good shoes. It's a real hiking adventure!

Learn to rappel with an expert instructor in Joshua Tree National Park. After an introduction to the basics, you can do as many rappels as time allows during the 4-hour experience. Soak in the natural beauty of this southern California landscape during this beginning rappelling lesson that is suitable for adventurous people who enjoy a fun outdoors challenge.

Experience Yosemite National Park on a private full-day tour from San Francisco. Travel with your own private group in a luxury vehicle and customize the itinerary to your interests, taking in top sites like Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls. Your guide shares commentary on Yosemite's history and wildlife, provides two bottles of champagne, and offers optional free time to explore on your own.

Explore a shady oasis and rugged canyons on a 4-hour 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.

Experience Palm Springs' wilder side with admission to The Living Desert, a zoo and botanical garden that showcase desert plants and wildlife from around the world. Explore the 1200-acre (486-ha) property on hiking trails and extensive tram lines that cross ecosystems from Africa, the Americas and the Australian Outback. Watch for the park's 450 animals as you learn how they adapt to life in earth's most arid places, and enjoy live shows, animal feedings and family-friendly activities aimed at education and conservation.

Knock out must-see sights and some must-have photo ops while getting a workout on this moderate-intensity hiking tour in Los Angeles. Follow your guide up the paths that lead to Griffith Park's iconic Hollywood sign while listening to engaging commentary on Tinseltown's history. The hike is steep, but moves at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops. Entrance to the Griffith Park Observatory included.

Set out on a spectacular dune buggy adventure on the sands near Pismo Beach, CA, approximately 1.5-hours north of Santa Barbara. For 2-hours you'll whip across dunes and zoom alongside the coastline past crashing waves in either a single or multi-person 4WD vehicle, enjoying what locals truly consider 'off-roading.' This is actually the only public beach in the state where driving is allowed. Instruction is included, so no need to worry if you've never ridden in a dune buggy before.

Walk amongst one of the world's oldest living things: the Giant Sequoia trees of Yosemite National Park. The Tuolumne and Merced Groves are home to some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. Reaching heights of 300 feet (91 meters) and living thousands of years. The hike can be customized depending on the group and your guide carries water purification and first aid equipment and other necessities. All profits from this tour support youth summer camp programs in Yosemite.

Explore the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park by SUV or van on a 5-hour tour from Palm Springs. Drive over the San Andreas Fault and up steep canyons to scenic viewpoints, and take a guided hike to Hidden Valley. You'll learn from your guide about the history and wildlife of the high and low desert, and get great photo ops of the sculpture-like rock formations.

Fish for white sea bass or yellowtail off the coast of California on this full-day angling excursion from Newport Beach. Cruise down Orange County's beautiful coastline and out into deepwater angling territory for the best shot at a prize catch. Breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks are available onboard for purchase.

Explore the otherworldly landscape of Joshua Tree National Park with a customized, guided hiking tour that takes in the best of the region. Tailor the trip to your interests and abilities, and walk to soaring granite formations with sweeping views of the arid terrain. Learn about the plants and animals that thrive in this unique ecosystem, then see Joshua Tree's fascinating geological history laid bare in the rock record. Choose between a 1- or 2-day hiking tour, and immerse yourself in one of America's most distinctive National Parks.

Run across Hoover Dam and stop for the perfect photo op on this trail run from Las Vegas. Start your 8-mile (13-km) run at the Historic Railroad Tunnels trailhead, which follows an old railroad bed in Lake Mead National Park. Follow your guide through five tunnels dug into volcanic ridges, delight in vistas of Lake Mead and search for bighorn sheep. This 4-hour running tour includes refreshments and hotel transport.

Cast your line into the Sacramento River on a full-day, guided fishing trip with a professional river guide from Redding. Board a custom-built drift boat or jet boat, and navigate the current to spin or fly fish for steelhead and Rainbow trout. Learn to fish for the first time, or improve your skills with tips from your expert guide, and enjoy stunning views of river banks that attract a thriving population of deer, bald eagles and mountain lions.

Spend a day on the links with a golf pro. This, executive experience includes a private tee time hosted by a golf pro, who offers swing critiques and pro tips during your 18 holes. Your group has the use of two golf carts and is presented with one or two bottles of wine upon arrival. Request a specific golf course at booking, or the tour team will recommend one based on your tastes and skill level. Lunch is available at the golf course of your choosing (additional cost).