The California Virtual Tours and Experiences to Enjoy

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, many of us are hunkering down at home and spending a lot more time on our couches than we normally would. While we can pass the time in self-quarantine by doing virtual online workouts, learning a skill, cooking a new dish, or binge-watching California-made movies and TV shows to keep our minds occupied, it’s tough to stop thinking about all the adventures we could be having instead of practicing social distancing and sheltering in place indefinitely.

Indeed, wanderlust is hard to fight these days. The longer we stay indoors, the more we want to go out and travel. But luckily, we can still do it—virtually. Even though we’re stuck inside our homes, modern technology makes it possible for us to experience the culture, history, and natural wonders of the Golden State through free virtual tours.

Many California institutions, entertainers, and tech companies are creating compelling free online experiences that allow you to witness the state’s unique environs and iconic destinations. Whether you want to wander through a world-famous art museum, see mysterious attractions, or travel to a national park, these entertaining live streams and online experiences can help you escape into another world for a little bit—without having to ditch your PJs and leave the comfort of your cozy throw blanket.

Come for the adorable California farm animals. Stay for the free musical performances. And who knows? These virtual experiences may just inspire you to plan your next IRL California adventure.

The best free virtual tours and experiences to check out now 

Visit California Zoos, Aquariums, and Farms

For all you cool cats and kittens, make a virtual visit to California’s acclaimed zoos for glimpses of lions, tigers, and bears—oh, my! The Oakland Zoo and the San Diego Zoo have live cams dedicated to grizzly bears, pandas, penguins, elephants, and baboons, among other animals.

Both zoos are also offering unique virtual experiences for a subscription fee.

 The Oakland Zoo launched Behind-the-Scenes Live earlier in 2020, which took subscribers inside the zoo five times a week, allowing them to see animals up-close, meet the animal keepers and veterinarians who care for them, and ask questions in real time. While you can no longer subscribe, the previous episodes are available on Oakland Zoo’s website, free of charge. Meanwhile, the San Diego Zoo is providing several different Upgraded Experiences, allowing you to enjoy guided tours and see your favorite animals in action.

For another instant mood boost, check out the cute and furry farm animals at Charlie’s Acres. This nonprofit animal sanctuary in Sonoma is giving educational, family-friendly tours through Airbnb experiences. These virtual tours are designed to show how intelligent the animals are, share their stories of resilience, and display their distinct personalities. If you fall in love with a furry face, you can sponsor an animal and visit him or him in person once the shelter-in-place mandate is lifted.

Children may also experience a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world through the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. They can see sea otters frolic in the waters, watch for birds, meditate with some medusas, play educational games, make natural history posters, and take online courses to learn about everything from tidepools to kelp forests. If you’ve been looking for the best free virtual tours of marine life in California, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Another one to bookmark for the little ones: The Aquarium of the Pacific is offering a variety of online programming, including virtual classroom sessions and livestreams of exhibits where you can spot penguins, sharks, and jellyfish. Listen to whalesong at the online Whales: Voices in the Sea exhibit, watch lectures on a plethora of topics, and keep those brain cells from turning into mush with the Online Learning Center.

Spend the Day at the Beach

As the weather warms up, sheltering in place gets even harder, and many of us would give anything for a beach vacation right now. Luckily, Live Beaches delivers an at-home beach experience through free virtual travel to the coast. Whether you’re dreaming of (virtually) lounging on the shores of Santa Barbara, hitting the San Francisco surf, strolling along the Santa Monica Pier, or taking in the stunning Malibu views, you can find some solace in the impressive collection of California beach cams. 

While it’s not quite the same as feeling sand between your toes and sunshine on your face—save that for once we’ve officially flattened the curve—pour yourself a beverage and don your bathing suit for an online beach getaway that’s as close as you can get to the real thing (at least for now).

Virtual Museum Tours

Tour California Museums

Are you looking for a change from binge-watching reality TV shows that are so awkward yet oddly compelling? (Yes, even the likes of "Love Is Blind.") Why not enrich your mind and dive into the world of culture? Many prestigious museums and art organizations across the state are welcoming visitors online.

They're providing a wealth of resources including educational videos, additional images and details on exhibits, carefully selected tours, and a variety of digital content for everyone to explore from home. Check out some top picks for virtual museum tours and exhibitions in California that you can enjoy right now.

Dinosaur museum virtual tour

• Visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County online for an engaging selection of activities suitable for children, educational resources for teachers, and captivating online videos. Among the highlights is a fascinating video about the smallest dinosaur ever found, resembling a somewhat intimidating hummingbird. This tiny creature's skull was miraculously preserved in a 99-million-year-old amber sphere from Myanmar. Their virtual tours are specifically designed for children and are so intriguing that they can even keep a group of preschoolers completely engrossed (yes, really!).

Science museum virtual tours

• California Science Center: This top Los Angeles museum has a large collection of grade-specific free virtual museum tours, which are as entertaining as they are educational. If you’re looking for a more hands-on virtual museum experience, check out the previous episodes of “stuck-at-home” science projects. These projects use materials that are probably already in many homes (such as paper towels, vinegar, baking soda, and plastic bags) to make cool, science-related arts and crafts. Activities and instructions are available in English and Spanish.
• Fleet Science Center: This inspiring San Diego museum wants to connect you to the power of science through the broadcasting program FLEETtv. Featuring experiments, hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes interviews, and bloopers, this museum takes free virtual tours to the next level.

Virtual art museum tours

• The Getty: The Getty is a free art gallery and museum you have to check out at least once. Keep your artistic spirits up by perusing the vast collection of The Getty’s online art, books, and videos. The resources include an online exhibit on the celebrated Michelangelo and the Bauhaus school, a downloadable art book about Paul Cezanne’s watercolors, and printable versions of the L.A. institution’s famed art pieces that you can color in yourself.
• Explore the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles from the comfort of your home with their extensive range of digital offerings. Through their YouTube channel, you can dive into a variety of videos, participate in daily online activities like their virtual book club, and enjoy a wealth of other online experiences. These include curator-led gallery tours, recorded conversations with artists, and exclusive peeks into the creative processes behind the artworks. These immersive experiences are designed to give you the sensation of visiting MOCA in person, making it a top destination for virtual museum exploration.
• Are you looking fpor some intellectual nourishment? The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) offers an array of video content that grants an intimate look at various exhibitions. Highlights include "JR: The Chronicles of San Francisco," "Marlon Mullen: The Language of Color," and "Nicole Miller: To the Stars," alongside insights into the creative processes of artists. For those eager to explore museum tours online at no cost, SFMOMA provides a wealth of inspiration.
• For enthusiasts of classical art, Google Arts and Culture presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. This digital collection showcases 157 pieces, ranging from artifacts dating back to the 13th century up to works from 1917. It stands out for hosting one of the most extensive collections of Auguste Rodin's sculptures available anywhere, allowing for a thorough appreciation from anywhere in the world.

Free History Museum Tour

• California State Capitol Museum: This is a free museum virtual tour that lets you take your own steps. Learn about our state capital and its fascinating history by roaming the halls of the Capitol building. Admire the neoclassical and Renaissance Revival architectural styles; view original artworks, furnishings, restored governmental rooms, and historic artifacts; and step outside to explore the lush, 40-acre Capitol Park. 

Unusual online California museum experience

• Dive into the eerie and fascinating world of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, a landmark known for its chilling atmosphere and dubbed one of the most haunted locations in California. For the first time ever, this unique estate is opening its doors virtually, offering guided online tours. Constructed over 36 years by a wealthy widow, this extraordinary mansion features over 200 rooms, 10,000 windows, and an array of architectural wonders including trap doors and spy holes. The virtual 360-degree tour promises plenty of intriguing sights and stories to captivate your imagination.

Enjoy Live Entertainment

Speaking of entertainment: Many prominent Californians are taking to social media to share their talents and lift spirits during this challenging time. Talk show hosts have converted their living rooms to studios, famous chefs are offering online cooking classes, and artists like illustrator Wendy MacNaughton are leading weekday drawing classes on Instagram Live.

Several California musicians are also giving people near and far a reason to sing and dance, so check out these performers the next time you need to shake it off.

• Mad Decent Live: Check out Mad Decent Live’s Twitch schedule for awesome musical performances and talks from the likes of Diplo and more. You’re in for free online experiences full of music, laughs, and an overall good time.
• Michel Franti: East Bay musician Michael Franti and his family launched a Stay at Home World Tour in 2020 with daily Facebook video performances. He continues to frequently livestream on his Facebook page and the sessions are as captivating as ever.
• Cal Performances: University of California, Berkeley is behind this awesome at-home entertainment initiative. Enjoy original, full-length music and dance performances, listen to authors talk about their writing journeys, and more by buying a pass on the website and getting exclusive access.  

Free Online Experiences 

Escape to a National Park

From towering redwoods and granite monoliths to striking desertscapes and snow-capped mountain ranges, the state’s national parks are home to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders. While you may not make it to your favorite national parks in person anytime soon, you can still go on an adventure—albeit virtually—by taking digital tours with Google Earth.

Thanks to advanced mapping technology and 360-degree cameras, you can explore the highest peaks, descend into the deepest valleys, and watch the stars from afar—all from the convenience of your phone, tablet, or computer. Sure, it may not be the same as lacing up your hiking boots and inhaling the crisp, clean air of the wilderness, but it’ll help scratch the wanderlust itch for now.

To take a digital hike, so to speak, go to Google Earth to see a list of the parks with tours available. Simply click on the one you want to see, and you’ll be whisked away to view a series of interactive photos featuring breathtaking trails and vistas. From Joshua Tree National Park to Yosemite National Park, here are the California national parks to explore on a free virtual tour from the comfort of your couch:

• Channel Islands National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Redwood National and State Parks
• Sequoia National Park
• Yosemite National Park
   

Share your favorite virtual experiences with your friends and family so you can enjoy them together and stay connected, wherever you might be sheltering in place.

Which live streams, online museum tours, and virtual experiences do you plan on trying? Let us know in the comments.