The 8 Best City Tours in California
California offers an array of city experiences that go beyond the usual sightseeing. Its diverse cities are filled with unique attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, and opportunities for adventure. Whether you’re craving a playful scavenger hunt, a deep dive into urban sights, or an interactive challenge, California’s city tours have something for all. Many tours are flexible, some are budget-friendly, and others offer personalized experiences — perfect for every style of traveler.
In this guide, we’ll compare a variety of options, from smartphone scavenger hunts in Tahoe City to private custom tours in San Francisco. We’ll help you decide which adventure best suits your interests, schedule, and budget — so you can make the most of your time in the Golden State.
Quick Overview
This list includes interactive scavenger hunts in cities like Tahoe City, Modesto, Clovis, Fairfield, and El Monte, with prices ranging from $10 to $24.50 per person or group. These fun activities are perfect for families or groups interested in exploring on their own schedule. For a more personalized experience, the 10 Hours Private City Tour in San Francisco offers a flexible, private guided day. Each tour provides a different way to see California’s cities, whether through games, challenges, or customized itineraries.
Below, we explore each option in detail to help you find the best fit for your trip.
1. Tahoe City Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game
Starting with a fun and flexible way to explore Tahoe City, this smartphone-based scavenger hunt combines sightseeing with game play. Over approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, your group follows clues on your device, solving puzzles while uncovering both major attractions and lesser-known spots around Lake Tahoe’s charming town. Since you play at your own pace and any time, it’s ideal for fitting into a busy schedule or avoiding large groups.
What makes this tour stand out is the interactive scoring system and leaderboard, which adds a friendly competitive element. You’ll see Lake Tahoe, Truckee River, and other scenic sights while working together to beat the high score. Since there’s no in-person guide, you can start whenever it suits you, making it perfect for families or tech-savvy travelers.
Reviews are limited but highly positive, with a perfect 5.0 rating from one reviewer. At just $24.50 per person, it offers great value for a personalized, self-guided experience.
Bottom Line: A lively, tech-driven way to discover Tahoe City’s highlights at your own pace — fun for families and groups wanting an active, interactive experience.
2. Jurupa Valley City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Zombie Scavengers
For an adventure that mixes city exploration with a zombie apocalypse theme, this Jurupa Valley scavenger hunt is a hit among groups craving an unusual challenge. It takes about an hour and costs $20 per group (up to 10 players). Using an app, you’ll be tasked with finding survival items scattered throughout the city and completing zombie-themed challenges.
What makes this experience distinctive is the survivor-versus-zombies storyline, with points earned for strategic item collection and clever challenge completion. Your remote host provides guidance via chat, adding a reassuring touch without sacrificing independence. This game mechanics promote teamwork and quick thinking, making it a great choice for families, friends, or team-building groups.
While there are no reviews yet, the engaging theme and straightforward gameplay make it appealing. The low cost and short duration make it accessible and easy to try on a whim.
Bottom Line: A playful, fast-paced way to combine city exploration with a zombie-themed challenge—perfect for those seeking an active, story-driven game.
3. Fairfield City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Zombie Scavengers
If exploring a city with a zombie twist sounds appealing, the Fairfield scavenger hunt offers roughly an hour of game play for just $20 per group. As with the Jurupa Valley version, you’ll use an app to find items and complete challenges to survive the fictional zombie outbreak.
This hunt emphasizes strategic item hunting and puzzle solving, with the added fun of competing for the longest survivor title. The remote host remains available via chat for any questions, giving a sense of support without a guided tour. It’s a good option for groups that want to combine city sights with immersive storytelling, and it’s suitable for a broad age range.
While reviews are not yet available, the straightforward format and affordable price make this a convenient choice for a quick, engaging activity.
Bottom Line: An entertaining way to see Fairfield through a zombie lens, suitable for groups of friends or families seeking a lighthearted adventure.
4. 10 Hours Private City Tour in San Francisco – Chartered Tour
For those who prefer a tailored, in-depth experience, the 10 Hours Private City Tour in San Francisco offers a comprehensive exploration of the city’s top sights. Priced at $526 per group (up to 3 people), this tour provides personalized itineraries designed around your specific interests, whether that’s iconic landmarks, neighborhoods, or hidden corners.
Your dedicated driver is familiar with San Francisco’s streets and attractions, ensuring smooth navigation. The vehicle is comfortable, and the flexible schedule allows you to spend more time at places you love or skip those less interesting. This is ideal for visitors who want a private, personalized experience rather than a cookie-cutter group tour.
While there are no reviews posted, the emphasis on customization, comfort, and a knowledgeable driver suggests a high-quality, stress-free day. This tour suits travelers with limited time but a desire for an immersive, tailored experience.
Bottom Line: Perfect for travelers who want control over their sightseeing, with flexibility and personalized attention, making it ideal for small groups or couples.
5. Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Modesto by Wacky Walks
If you’re looking for a light-hearted, competitive activity, the Modesto scavenger hunt is a lively two-hour game priced at just $10 per person. Using an app, your team competes in royal tournaments to earn the title of King or Queen, leading your team in finding items and completing challenges around the city.
What makes this tour fun is the royal tournament theme and photo challenges, which add a humorous and engaging twist. It’s ideal for groups wanting a quick, affordable activity that combines sightseeing with friendly competition. The game continues as long as your group wants, making it flexible for different schedules.
While reviews aren’t available yet, the approachable price and playful concept make it a good choice for families or groups of friends wanting a memorable, interactive experience.
Bottom Line: An inexpensive, entertaining way to explore Modesto with a royal twist, perfect for lighthearted groups or casual day outings.
6. Clovis City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest
For a straightforward, interactive city exploration, this Clovis scavenger hunt (Operation City Quest) offers about two hours of fun for $10 per person. Using a mobile app, you’ll submit photos of items and complete challenges scattered around the city at your own pace.
What makes this experience stand out is the leaderboard system that allows you to compare your score against other teams, adding a competitive edge. The remote host provides chat support, ensuring you’re never truly on your own. It’s an excellent activity for families, friends, or solo explorers wanting to discover Clovis with minimal fuss.
Although there are no reviews yet, the low price and flexible format make it an attractive, accessible choice for a quick, engaging day in Clovis.
Bottom Line: A budget-friendly, flexible way to explore Clovis through a fun photo and challenge-based scavenger hunt, suitable for all ages.
7. Fun City Scavenger Hunt in El Monte by Zombie Scavengers
Just like in Jurupa Valley, the El Monte Zombie Scavengers offers a one-hour zombie-themed hunt for $20 per group. Using an app, your team searches for survival items and completes zombie challenges, trying to outscore competing groups.
This version emphasizes strategy and quick thinking as players decide the best order to find objects and complete challenges. The remote host is available via chat, ensuring you’re supported throughout. The theme appeals to those who enjoy interactive, story-based gameplay, especially families or groups interested in a mix of adventure and humor.
While no reviews are posted yet, the simple format and competitive nature make it an appealing short activity that can be easily added to other plans.
Bottom Line: A quick, strategy-focused zombie hunt that’s perfect for groups seeking a fun, themed challenge in El Monte.
8. Bakersfield City Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers
Rounding out our list, the Bakersfield scavenger hunt offers a one-hour zombie survival quest for $20 per group. Using an app, you explore Bakersfield, collecting items needed to survive the apocalypse and completing themed challenges for points.
What makes this experience distinctive is the open-ended exploration — you can search for items in any order, making it highly flexible. The remote host chat support keeps things smooth, and the competitive scoring adds excitement. It’s suitable for groups of friends or families wanting a quick, engaging activity that’s not overly demanding physically.
While no reviews are available yet, its affordability and straightforward gameplay make it an appealing choice for a quick, memorable adventure.
Bottom Line: An accessible, fun zombie-themed scavenger hunt in Bakersfield, ideal for groups interested in a short but engaging challenge.
How to Choose the Right City Tour in California
When selecting a city tour, consider your budget, time constraints, and interests. If you love interactive games and want a flexible schedule, the Tahoe City scavenger hunt or Modesto royal hunt are excellent. For a personalized, in-depth exploration, the San Francisco private tour offers customization but at a higher price.
Budget travelers might prefer the Clovis or Bakersfield hunts for their affordability, while families or groups with a zombie-hunting streak will enjoy the Jurupa Valley or El Monte challenges.
Booking early is recommended, especially for private tours, to ensure availability. Consider the duration and physical activity level—most scavenger hunts are about an hour or two, making them suitable for a quick activity between sightseeing or as a standalone adventure.
Final Thoughts
California’s city tours cater to all kinds of travelers — whether you prefer self-guided challenges, private custom itineraries, or themed zombie hunts. For a laid-back, interactive experience, the Tahoe City scavenger hunt offers a scenic, puzzle-filled adventure. If you’re after a tailored day in San Francisco, the private charter is your best bet.
The zombie-themed scavenger hunts in Jurupa Valley, Fairfield, El Monte, and Bakersfield add a playful, competitive edge for groups seeking fun and laughs. No matter your style, booking early gives you the best chance to enjoy these memorable California city experiences.