California Walking & Hiking Tours

Hike in the distinctive desert beauty of Joshua Tree National Park and peruse the chic galleries and eclectic boutiques of Palm Springs. Or enjoy sublime hikes to serene waterfalls and spectacular panoramas in Yosemite. California’s natural treasures are dense and dramatic enough to keep any explorer occupied for a lifetime. If you’ve been California dreamin’, come explore the Golden State with Backroads on one of our California tours—you won’t be disappointed!

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20 Trips

Field of Yucca trees, mountain range in background.

Guest hiking among arid terrain, desert plant in foreground.

Four guests hiking up hill, surrounded by yellow grass and hills.

Leader posing between two large boudlers.

Shot of a lone palm tree.

Walking & Hiking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Walking & Hiking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases

4 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $2,899/person

Guests swimming in river, mountain in background.

Shot of the Ahwahnee Lodge.

Deer eating grass.

Two guests embracing in front of a large lake, blue sky and mountain in background.

Guest/leader on mountaintop, forest floor in background.

Walking & Hiking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Yosemite Walking & Hiking Tour

National Park's Dramatic Half Dome & Waterfalls

6 days

Levels 1-4

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,499/person

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Guest cycling down road, waving to camera, palm trees lining road on their left.

Wide shot of ship fleet on water.

Two guests and a guide being shown large assortment of wine bottles.

Four guests in kayaks, Cali coast, large cloud and birds in background.

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Wine Country Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches & Vineyards on California's Palm-Lined Coast

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,049/person

Field of Yucca trees, mountain range in background.

Guest hiking up desert boulder, craggy sandstone rocks in background.

Group of guests cycling through Palm Springs neighborhood.

Four guests hiking up hill, surrounded by yellow grass and hills.

Guest cycling past palm tree, desert landscape behind him.

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Multi-Adventure Tour

Desert Wonders & National Park Magic

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $3,449/person

Shot of old mission building in Santa Barbara.

Four guests taking a selfie, orange tree behind them.

Guest/leader under an orange tree, smiling at camera.

Bird's eye shot of the Ojai Valley Inn during sunset.

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & Kids

Santa Barbara to Ojai Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches & Vineyards on California's Central Coast

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $3,899/person

Beach with city in the background

Wide shot of ship fleet on water.

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Four guests rounding a corner, hilltop houses and Cali hills in background.

Charcuterie platter, apples, cheeses, salami, olives, etc.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Older Teens & 20s

Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Valley Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches & Vineyards on California's Palm-Lined Coast

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,099/person

Group of guests hiking is desert, surrounded by bushes and hills.

Field of Yucca trees, mountain range in background.

Leader posing between two large boudlers.

Shot of a lone palm tree.

Group of guests hiking is desert, surrounded by bushes.

Walking & Hiking

Families with 20s & Beyond

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Walking & Hiking Tour—4-Day Getaway

National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases

4 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $2,999/person

Field of Yucca trees, mountain range in background.

Close-up of red cactus flower.

A woman hiking on a dirt path

A woman hiking up a hill in the desert with mountains in the background

A woman hiking in the desert with mountains in the background

Walking & Hiking

Women's Adventures

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Women's Walking & Hiking Tour—4-Day Getaway

National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases

4 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $2,899/person

Wide shot of a green vineyard.

shot of a desert resort's pool accomodations.

Four guests walking along golden coast, ocean to their left.

Shot of vineyard, foggy hilltop in distance.

Close-up of red wine grapes.

Walking & Hiking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Napa Valley & Sonoma Walking & Hiking Tour

Vineyards, Redwoods & Pacific Coastline

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,699/person

Shot of grapevines, cacti in foreground.

Wide shot of ship fleet on water.

Guests at BR lunch underneath shady trees.

California vineyard during sunrise.

Guest cycling down California farm road, cows and hills in background.

Multi-Adventure

Families with 20s & Beyond

Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Valley Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches & Vineyards on California's Palm-Lined Coast

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,699/person

Guests hiking through grassy field, mountains in background.

Shot of the Ahwahnee Lodge.

Guests swimming in river, mountain in background.

Deer eating grass.

Leader and two guests hiking on trail.

Walking & Hiking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Yosemite Easygoing Walking Tour

Dolce Tempo Journey from National Park's Dramatic Half Dome to Waterfalls

6 days

Levels 1-2

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,799/person

Guest rock climbing with desert vista behind them.

Field of Yucca trees, mountain range in background.

Wide shot of craggy vista, person w/ hands in the air in foreground.

Leader posing between two large boudlers.

Group of guests riding on desert road, hills in background.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Older Teens & 20s

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Desert Wonders & National Park Magic

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $3,799/person

Wide shot of Glacier Point.

Smoothly flowing stream.

Shot of the Ahwahnee Lodge.

Guests swimming in river, mountain in background.

Deer eating grass.

Walking & Hiking

Women's Adventures

Yosemite Women's Walking & Hiking Tour

National Park's Dramatic Half Dome & Waterfalls

6 days

Levels 1-4

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,499/person

Group of guests riding single-file through a desert neighborhood.

Shot of a cactus with colorful flower.

Two young guests rock climbing.

Two guests smiling for camera, one is leaning on the other's shoulder.

Child rock climbing on sandy cliffside.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & Kids

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Desert Wonders & National Park Magic

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $3,949/person

Three guests hiking through valley, mountains all around them.

Group of guests walking on trail, one smiling at camera.

Guest posing with bike. Sun, trees and mountain behind him.

Two guests posing on mountaintop, valley in background below them.

"GLACIER POINT" sign in foreground, guests and mountain in background.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Older Teens & 20s

Yosemite Multi-Adventure Tour

National Park's Giant Sequoias & Iconic Half Dome

6 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,999/person

Four guests walking along golden coast, ocean to their left.

Vibrant yellow and green grapevines, fog in distance.

Three guests amidst grapevines.

Two folks posing at night, fire beside them.

Three guests around lunch table, beers in hand.

Walking & Hiking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Napa Valley & Sonoma Easygoing Walking Tour

Dolce Tempo Journey amid Vineyards, Redwoods & Pacific Coastline

5 days

Levels 1-2

Premiere Hotels

From $5,099/person

"GLACIER POINT" sign in foreground, guests and mountain in background.

Deer among the greenery of a forest.

Six young guests with their bikes, all giving thumbs-ups.

Hiking family, stream to their left, mountains in background.

Shot of the Ahwahnee Lodge.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & Kids

Yosemite Multi-Adventure Tour

National Park's Giant Sequoias & Iconic Half Dome

6 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,599/person

Wide shot of mountains at sunset.

guests hike a sunny trail in yosemite

a group of Backroads guests on a hike

Wide shot of redwood trees.

hikers cross a bridge over a roaring waterfall

Walking & Hiking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Yosemite Valley Walking & Hiking Tour

National Park’s Springtime Waterfalls & Wildflowers

5 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,399/person

Shot of person crossing stream on fallen log, mountain in background.

Group of guests walking on trail, one smiling at camera.

Guest posing with bike. Sun, trees and mountain behind him.

"GLACIER POINT" sign in foreground, guests and mountain in background.

Three guests hiking through valley, mountains all around them.

Multi-Adventure

Families with 20s & Beyond

Yosemite Multi-Adventure Tour

National Park's Giant Sequoias & Iconic Half Dome

6 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,999/person

Wide shot of flowery meadow, mountains in background.

two women with hiking poles hike in yosemite

Wide shot of Yosemite Falls.

A hiker stops to take a photo

Guest hugging a large redwood tree.

NEW

Walking & Hiking

Women's Adventures

California's Yosemite Valley Women's Walking & Hiking Tour

National Park’s Springtime Waterfalls & Wildflowers

5 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Plus Hotels

From $4,399/person

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