10 Adrenaline-Fueled Things to Do in California
If lying on a sunny California beach isn’t enough for you, there are plenty of heart-pounding things to do in the Golden State. From facing off with great white sharks in San Diego, to getting in the passenger seat of a Nascar motor at the Auto Club Speedway, here are Culture Trip’s best activities for adrenaline junkies on America’s West Coast.
1. Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour
Activities
Gaining speeds of nearly 40mph (64kph), this unique aerial tour of Catalina island will take you 600ft (180m) above sea level and provide the most spectacular views as you soar across the landscape with the Pacific Ocean gleaming below. Five different ziplines take you from platform to platform, while an informative guide will provide interesting information about the island at each stop.
2. Cave Rappelling in Moaning Cavern
Natural Feature
Strap up and abseil down California’s largest cavern. This dark, vertical chamber will require you to rappel 165ft (50m) from top to bottom. Once at the floor, you can choose to continue the adventure by squeezing through narrow burrows on a two-hour cave adventure. Be prepared to get on your stomach and wriggle through tight, claustrophobic passageways with suitably labeled nicknames such as Meat Grinder and Pancake Squeeze.
3. Extreme Hike at Half Dome
Tours
5. Hollywood iFly Indoor Skydiving Experience
Amusement Park
It’s not quite jumping out of a plane, but this unique experience will get your pulse racing as you fly in the air above a giant vertical propeller. The wind tunnel is appropriate for anyone over the age of three and is the perfect chance to show off some mid-air acrobatics. Push yourself and see how long it will take to perform your first somersault.
6. Top Gun and Air Combat Experience in San Diego
Activities
Ever wondered what it’s like to be Tom Cruise? Well, now’s your chance to find out in this Top Gun experience. Climb into the cockpit of an Extra 330LC and feel the G-force as you twist and turn upside down in either an acrobatic flight or a dogfight race against a friend. Fly the plane yourself – with the assistance of a trained pilot – or take to the passenger seat and embark on the craziest airborne roller coaster ride of your life.
7. RocketBoat, San Francisco
Natural Feature
This boat really does go as fast as the flame painted on the bow might suggest. It’s a 30-minute wild ride from Fisherman’s Wharf, jetting at speeds of up to 60mph (97kph) around San Francisco Bay, past Alcatraz, underneath the Bay bridge, alongside Oracle Park. You’ll get stunning views of the city’s skyline – if you’re able to see through the wind being blasted into your face, that is.
8. Shark Cage, San Diego
Natural Feature
Stare Jaws in the eyes as you come head to head with one of the deadliest killers in the ocean. Take the long, beautiful boat journey out into Mexican waters towards Guadalupe island, renowned for being one of the most popular destinations for great white sharks in the world. A metal cage will be the only thing between you and Jaws as you submerge into the Pacific Ocean.
9. Bridge to Nowhere Bungee Jump, Azusa
Bridge, Forest
10. Allen Berg Racing Schools, Salinas
Architectural Landmark
Get to race a formula car around the professional circuit Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey County. You can have your very own personal instructor to teach you the ins and outs of the carbon fiber machine, then put the pedal to the metal and unleash your inner Lewis Hamilton as you fly around this nail-biting track.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
- Post ID: 1001547443
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload