The thrill of exploring new places is as innate to human nature as the joy of savoring a delicious meal. No place better exudes this than California, with its stunning natural beauty, diverse cities and neighborhoods, and vibrant arts and cultural scenes. While the travel industry offers many exciting opportunities, the rise of mass-produced bus tours has sometimes left travelers feeling rushed and disconnected. It’s a shame when a once-in-a-lifetime trip doesn’t fully capture the essence of the destination.
Airbnb Experiences recaptures the authenticity of travel by putting that control in the hands of the two parties where it belongs — you, the traveler, and the locals who know the destination better than anyone. This allows for a curated experience that’s personalized, honest, and — importantly — puts your travel dollar into the local community.
To put this into perspective, let’s say you’re an arts and culture lover planning a trip to two of California’s iconic cultural hubs, San Francisco and Los Angeles. You’ve never been. And while the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign are on your list, the trip won’t be complete until you connect with the local art scenes. Uncovering unique “foodie” experiences in each city would be icing on the cake.
There are some things you want to avoid, as well. The idea of shuttling around in a massive tour bus sounds dull. Wandering through galleries without a point of direction? No thanks. Rather, say hello to your new local connections, curated through Airbnb Experiences.
We hope you fall in love with the transformative power of people-led travel experiences! Matador Network partnered with Airbnb to produce this content and may collect a small commission from the links on this page.
California two ways: An art-filled trip begins in San Francisco
The Curated Tour of SF’s Modern Art Scene on Airbnb Experiences connects you with local artists in the vibrant heart of San Francisco’s modern art scene, the Minnesota Street Project. You’ll start the evening with a welcome toast and appetizers in the host’s gallery, where you’ll hear from the artists building the project and making art more accessible to residents and visitors. Then comes the gallery hopping. With local artist Eleanor Harwood, the mastermind behind Eleanor Harwood Gallery and Board President of the San Francisco Art Dealer’s Association as your host, you’ll walk through the district’s galleries to view the works and have the chance to converse with an artist or gallery owner along the way.
Tours offered on Friday and Saturday evenings
From $75 per person
A unique taste of the Bay Area
Tours offered weekly and by request
From $100 per person
Heading south to the palm trees
After a few engaging days in the City by the Bay, it’s time to head south to the vibrant beaches and street life of Los Angeles. The city is widely known for the culinary offerings of its diverse neighborhoods such as Koreatown, Little Ethiopia, and Chinatown. But LA also has a large West African diaspora and the bold, aromatic spices of this region’s cuisine are increasingly common across the city. There’s no better way to wrap up a long travel day than with a home-cooked West African feast in Hollywood. Chef Tolu Eros welcomes guests into his Hollywood apartment to experience the cuisine of his native Nigeria and the surrounding region via a three-course family-style dinner. Expect a rich feast accented by ginger, cumin, and chili peppers, along with hearty grains like rice, millet, and sorghum. Chef Eros pairs the meal with stories of the cuisine’s origin and its role in shaping food culture around the world.
Experience offered on Thursday nights
Price: From $180 per person
A journalist’s eye on the LA Arts District
The following afternoon it’s time to dive into the art scene of Los Angeles to see how it compares with what you experienced up north. Join local arts and culture journalist Hadley Meares for an exclusive tour of the historic Los Angeles Arts District. Meares guides her guests through galleries big and small, stopping off in Little Tokyo to sample the street eats along the way. The most unique aspect of touring with Hadley is her deep knowledge not only of the city’s art scene but of what actually makes good art — as a writer and tv personality she’s told the stories of artists around the world, and you’ll glean that knowledge as you move through the district. The tour caps with a craft brew from a local brewery.
Tours offered on Friday and Saturday afternoons
From $30 per person
Mastering a craft with an interesting heritage
Of course, it wouldn’t be Los Angeles if things didn’t get a little, well, mystifying. Hyungi Park is a Korean-American artist with a unique discipline — crafting natural incense. In her natural incense making course you’ll learn how incense comes together as you craft your own, while learning the history of incense and its practical uses (including as a perfume). You’ll come away with your creation to take home in a pine wood box, the perfect memento to bring home for when you want to recall the trip you took to experience California, two ways.
Tours offered Thursday thru Sunday and by request
From $64 per person