Top California Cooking Classes

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your go-tos, this Carmel-by-the-Sea Macaron Baking Class with a Mater Chef is a great choice. Not only will you learn how to make these French delights from scratch, you’ll also get tips to make things easier as you go from a master chef featured on the Cooking Channel. This hands-on baking class is fun for groups and for solo enthusiasts.

Grab a group of friends for a day of wine-tasting fun in the Santa Ynez Valley. It's an all-inclusive tour and you can sample a wide range of locally produced wines without worrying about who's going to drive home after. Visit three wineries where you'll learn more about the wine-making process, see the vineyards, and enjoy a picnic lunch at one.

Learn how to make macarons from a master chef in Oakland, California. These delicate French pastries are difficult to master, but you’ll learn how to make your own from scratch with hands-on guidance from experienced pastry chefs, including how to create the perfect butter cream filling, how to pipe your macaron and other insider tips. You’ll end up with a dozen macarons to enjoy afterwards.

Enjoy an introduction to classical French cooking, and prepare your meal right in your local host's home, with this one-on-one, hands-on class. Choose between lunch and dinner start times, and get ready to roll up your sleeves. You'll learn to prepare a three-course meal of French-inspired treats from your host (a former French resident), from cheesy gougères to ratatouille and beyond. At the end, sit down to enjoy your meal together, with wine on the side.

For a one-of-a-kind meal in San Diego you won't find any restaurant, join a local chef in her home for an Indian fusion cooking class. This private, hands-on culinary experience starts with a lesson in authentic Indian cooking techniques as you help prepare a 3-course menu using fresh ingredients. Connect with both Californian and Indian-American culture as you cook together, and then sit down to share the meal with your friendly host and instructor.

From the Hollywood sign to the sunny beaches of Santa Monica to the glitz of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is so full of iconic sights it can be tricky to see them all. This guided tour seamlessly transports you by coach to all of the city's top attractions—from Venice Beach to the Sunset Strip to Griffith Park and more—so that you don't need to worry about missing a thing.

See the sights of Hollywood on this tour by open-top Mercedes minibus, which allows you to enjoy unobstructed views as you go. Traveling with an on-board guide, you'll pass by attractions such as the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, and movie studios. Plus, get a look at some of the mansions where past and present stars have lived.

If you fancy yourself a foodie or culture enthusiast, don’t miss this walking tour of San Francisco’s Little Italy—the neighborhood of North Beach. Voted one of the 15 best foodie tours in the USA by U.S. News, join an insider guide and experience a slice of the top things to do in North Beach, such as tasting coffee and witnessing bread being freshly made. Soak up the lively atmosphere of one of the city’s most popular districts as you learn about its cafes and bakeries and see landmarks like Saints Peter and Paul Church.

Stroll through North Beach and Chinatown, two of San Francisco's most vibrant neighborhoods on this food and walking tour. Discover the spots only locals know for dim sum, coffee, and other treats while you learn about the history and culture of these diverse districts from your knowledgeable guide. Samples make up enough for a meal so come hungry!

Spend an evening on the San Francisco Bay during this dinner cruise, including a 3-course gourmet meal of fresh, local ingredients prepared on board. After dinner, dance to the DJ's music or enjoy the nighttime views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline from the exterior deck.

For one of the best wine country tours from San Francisco, combine a visit to Northern California wine country with a Muir Woods experience for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discount price, allowing you to see and taste the delights of Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. You’ll begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument, staring up in wonder at the towering redwood trees. Then you'll visit three lovely wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with tastings included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge and have free time on Sonoma Plaza to buy lunch if you haven't opted to upgrade to the gourmet lunch option.

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

Explore San Francisco and Alcatraz on this 2-in-1 tour. Hop aboard a ferry for a scenic ride to Alcatraz and enjoy the award-winning audio walking tour. Plus, enjoy a coach tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about the City by the Bay through visits to top attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Presidio, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this walking tour with a small group. Stop by shops selling authentic Chinese crafts and pottery, as well as hard-to-find herbs and produce. A variety of tastings add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, and other treats. Listen to guided commentary and ask plenty of questions as you explore.

Learn to surf at one of California’s most famous spots during this introductory surfing class at Venice Beach. This class is suitable for all levels, whether it's your first time surfing or you are advancing your skills. Spend some time training on the beach, then hop in the Pacific Ocean for instruction in the water, followed by time for practice.

Come aboard the Privateer for a beautiful sailing journey along the San Francisco Bay where you can enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day—sunset. Coast along as you spot out Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate bridge, all with a drink of choice in your hand.  

Tijuana has renewed mainly because the craft beer scene in the city. Using San Diego as an inspiration but with its own authentic Mexican personality Tijuana has position itself as the main capital of craft beer in Mexico. With over 50 breweries and 20 tap rooms along the city there it a lot to discover.

Learn the secrets of perfect homemade pizza with this cooking class in San Francisco’s historic Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Step inside a local home and try your hand at tossing dough and mixing up toppings alongside your guide, optionally sipping on a drink during the BYOB class. After cooking, sit down and enjoy your pizza accompanied by two side dishes.

Renowned for its rich soil and beautiful weather, Napa Valley is an ideal growing climate for vegetables and fruit. Above the Valley up in the rolling mountains you'll find our no-till market garden filled with diversity of all kinds. Over 40 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers growing alongside our rich ecosystem and wildlife. Here you'll be able to learn hands-on regenerative farming methods while soaking in the sun off the beaten path.

Enjoy a private and authentic market tour and cooking class in a local home with host BA, a public health professional. BA is a passionate home cook and baker, who loves trying new and healthy recipes. She is well travelled and has lived in a few cities, so she loves mixing international flavors with local, seasonal produce. Also, accommodating dietary needs is her specialty! As she is lactose-free, her son is vegetarian, and many of her friends are gluten free. Buy fresh, seasonal produce at the market and then join BA in her home kitchen for a 2 hour hands-on cooking class. After you cook, join BA and her sons (if they are home) at the dining table to relish the meal you helped prepare. • Guided visit of a local Farmer’s Market in Long Beach, CA • Hands-on cooking class in a local's home in Long Beach, CA • Introduction to American culture and cuisine • 100% private activity • Experience a farm to table experience • Lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class in a local home with your host Jeffrey, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who loves the idea of combining his love of cooking with his love for meeting people from around the world. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class will take place in a local home kitchen where Jeffrey will teach you how to make 2-3 traditional Californian dishes. After cooking, you will enjoy your meal together in your hosts' townhouse. • Private cooking demo in a local home • 100% private activity • Experience Californian hospitality in a residential West Hollywood neighborhood • Vegetarian and gluten free options available

• This online experience is perfect for groups of friends, families, team-building events and end of year office parties • His class will be conducted via Zoom and the link will be shared with you after booking • James will demonstrate the process step by step and will provide cooking tips and tricks • James is a professional chef based in the Bay Area

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class in a local home with host Shuo who first started cooking after moving to the states at 17 away from his family when he missed his favorite childhood dishes. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class will take place in a local home kitchen where Shuo will teach you how to make 2-3 traditional Chinese dishes from his family recipes. After cooking, you will enjoy your meal together in your hosts' home. • Cooking lesson in a local home • Introduction to Chinese-influenced dishes • 100% private activity • Experience American-Chinese hospitality in a residential Belmont neighborhood • Vegetarian and gluten free options available

• 2 1/2 hours of Authentic Italian Cuisine • Demonstration and presentation of a sample • Mentoring and Historic-Artistic Curiosity • This class is good for any skill level