www oribay.tours

• Special last minute offer & great price
• Maximum discounts for any cruise trip.
• Priority support.
• International
• Looking for cruises?
• Start your search here
• View your favourite cruises

Luxury Cruises

• Mid-range Cruises

Budget Cruises

• Family Cruises
• Honeymoon Cruises
• Small Boat Cruises
• New Cruises 2024
• Cat Ba Island Cruises

Lan Ha Bay Cruises

Bai tu long bay cruises, day cruises.

• 1 Night Cruises
• 2 Night Cruises
• All Halong Bay Cruises (223)
• Cruise Packages

Private Cruises

• Best of 2024
• Destinations
• Halong bay weather
• Interactive map
• Travel updates
• Private Transfers
• Cruise Itineraries
• Cruise Price
• Guest's Reviews 2024
• 2024 Brochures
• Customer's Testimonials
• +84.946.505.505

Find your perfect cruise

Search, compare & book over 100 multi-day cruises in Halong bay.

• All trip types

Mid-Range Cruises

• Best Cruises
• New Cruises
• Cruises with Hai Phong departure
• All durations
• 2 days / 1 night
• 3 days / 2 nights
• 50 - 100 USD
• 100 - 250 USD
• 250 - 400 USD

Explore Halong Bay With Our Best Tour Collection

Peony Cruise 2 Days

The ship was well-equipped. Activities were great. Overall a memorable experience but maybe 4-star. It was not as expected for …

Genesis Luxury Regal Cruise 2 Days

Everything was amazing. We could not ask for more. The staff was the best!

Capella Cruise 2 Days

Exceptional service. Food was so delicious! Recommended!

Orchid Classic Cruise 2 Days

The staff could not be better. They were friendly and always tried their best to meet our requests. Facilities were …

Ambassador Cruise 2 Days

Such a nice time with the best cruise in Halong Bay!

Heritage Cruise Binh Chuan 2 Days

Beautifully decorated room. Lovely staff. Beautiful views. Busy schedule.

Best Halong Cruise Packages 2024

Choose between many excellent cruise + hotel packages with free round-trip airport transfer, accommodation in Hanoi and cruise stay for the lowest price.

Best of Luxury: Oriental Jade Hotel + Stellar of the Seas Cruise

Hot deal: San Grand Hotel + Paradise Sails

Luxury Duo: Sofitel Legend Metropole + Paradise Cruise

Family Getaway: Somerset Hotel + Orchid Cruise

Cruise vacation for everyone.

Private Charter Cruises

Discover Halong Bay Top Destinations

No trip to Vietnam will be complete without a visit to Halong Bay. Known as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay appeals to world-wide tourists by its picturesque natural scenery.

Why Choose HalongBayTours?

We had a very pleasant two weeks in Vietnam and a highlight was the Halong Bay trip. It was all made very easy for us booking online with Halong Bay Tours. David Chapman & Veronica Love , United Kingdom

Serving thousands of tourists visiting Halong Bay each year, we are proudly the most specialized tour agency for Halong Bay. Travellers and professionals worldwide appreciate us for:

• Knowledge: Highly experienced consultants with local insights
• Service: Outstanding service with a heart and many smiles
• Trust: We guarantee your satisfaction and deliver tours as promised
• Value: You get the most and the best value for your trip
• Protection: We do our best to protect your interest in whatever circumstances
• Flexibility: Tour customization and free trip cancellation up to 15 days before departure

Travel Guide & Updates

Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay: Which One Should I Choose?

Halong Bay Airport: Which Airports Near Halong Bay is Better?

Halong Bay in March - A truly great month to visit Halong Bay

The most festive month of the year - Halong Bay in February

Meet our team.

We are proud of our excellent team who are not only pleasant to work with but will also bring you an unparalleled experience when booking your tour. Our past travelers have enjoyed our punctual response, ultimate care and smiling face and we believe that we will make you feel the same way.

Our Customers' Happy Moments

Delivering trips that last forever as fond memories of Vietnam - that is our ultimate commitment. We are proud to have been, and continue to be, a passionate companion for travelers worldwide visiting Halong Bay. Get inspired with these broad smiles and happy faces through our guests' photos.

In The Media

Browse cruises by name.

• Peony Cruise
• Capella Cruise
• Genesis Luxury Regal Cruise
• Orchid Classic Cruise
• Grand Pioneers Cruise (formally Essence Grand)
• Indochine Premium Cruise
• Nostalgia Cruise
• Ambassador Cruise
• Heritage Cruise Binh Chuan
• Indochine Cruise
• Paradise Elegance Cruise
• Ambassador Signature Cruise
• Doris Cruise
• Stellar of the Seas Cruise
• La Casta Regal Cruise
• Venus Cruise
• Elite of the Seas
• Orchid Trendy Cruise
• La Casta Cruise
• Mon Cheri Cruise
• Orchid Premium Cruise
• Catherine Cruise
• Amanda Luxury Cruise
• Athena Luxury Cruise
• Le Theatre Cruise
• Hermes Cruise
• Indochina Sails Cruise
• Signature Royal Cruise
• Bhaya Cruises
• La Regina Grand Cruise
• Heritage Line Ylang Cruise
• Bhaya Premium Cruise
• Hera Grand Cruise
• Emperor Cruise
• La Regina Legend Cruise
• Signature Cruise
• Aspira Cruise
• Dragon Legend Cruise
• Paradise Grand
• Athena Royal Cruise
• Starlight Cruise
• Alisa Premier
• Paradise Peak Cruise
• Heritage Line Ginger Cruise
• Heritage Line Violet
• Margaret Cruise
• Rita Cruise
• Au Co Cruise
• Scarlet Pearl Cruise
• Aphrodite Cruise
• Pelican Cruise
• Emeraude Cruise
• Valentine Cruise
• Royal Wings Cruise
• Alisa Cruise
• Ancora Cruise
• Sena Cruise
• Lily Cruise
• La Pandora Cruise
• Erina Cruise
• V'Spirit Cruises
• Paradise Sails
• Rosy Cruise
• Dragon Pearl Junks
• Sapphire Cruise
• Renea Cruise
• M'Gloria Cruise
• Victory Star Cruise
• La Regina Royal Cruise
• Oasis Bay Party Cruise
• Calypso Cruise
• Prince Cruise
• L'Azalee Cruise
• Syrena Cruise
• LaFairy Sails
• Gray Line Cruise
• Paloma Cruise
• Carina Cruise
• Jasmine Cruise
• Maya Cruise
• Stellar Cruise
• Adela Boutique Cruise
• Huong Hai Junk
• Petit White Dolphin Cruise
• Amira Cruise
• Amanda Cruise
• Swan Cruise
• Mila Lux Cruise
• Mila Cruise
• Phoenix Cruise
• Le Journey Luxury Cruise
• Hera Classic Boutique Cruise
• Oriental Sails
• Victory Cruise
• Treasure Junk
• Halong Party Cruise
• La Regina Classic 1
• La Regina Classic 2
• Aclass Legend Cruise
• JadeSails Cruise
• Ambassador Day Cruise
• La Casta Daily Cruise
• Phoenix Day Cruise
• Alova Premium Day Cruise
• Emeraude Min Cruise
• Pamela Cruise
• La Muse Cruise
• Amethyst Cruise
• Orchid Day Cruise
• Iris Cruise Halong
• Halong Catamaran
• Legend Halong Private Charter
• Emeraude Premium Private Charter
• Melody Private Charter Cruise
• Signature Cruise Private Charter
• Glory Legend Private Charter Cruise
• Paradise Luxury Private Charter Cruise
• Pelican Luxury Private Charter Cruise
• Au Co Private Charter Cruise
• L'Amour Junk Private Charter
• Paradise Peak Private Charter Cruise

official tourism bureau

Antique Car Museum

Take a step back in time and visit Skip Duggan’s Antique Car Museum. This antique car collection was lovingly gathered by Charles “Skip” Duggan. The Antique Car Museum is dedicated to Skip in his memory. Skip was a lover of family and wanted to create a place where families could get together and learn while having a great time. We honor his tradition which founded Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center and invite you to share your family time with us.

Aquatic Visitor Center

The Aquatic Visitor Center, a historic former state fish hatchery, is operated by Ohio Sea Grant & Stone Laboratory in partnership with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Activities include inspecting Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through hands-on displays, observing and identifying live fish in aquaria, and discovering current research to protect Lake Erie. Children under 16 can fish for free off the dock. The AVC is free and open to the public. Check the website for hours of operation.

Butterfly House

Put-in-Bay’s Butterfly House at the Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center offers visitors a unique viewing experience of hundreds of different exotic butterflies in their beautiful atrium filled with plants, fountains and sculptures. The butterflies on display are not native to the United States and precautions are used so they cannot escape their home in the atrium. Visitors walk amongst the butterflies and can purchase butterfly specimens and posters in the gift shop to help remember their trip.

Chocolate Café and Museum

A delicious attraction just outside of downtown, Put-in-Bay! The Chocolate Café offers many chocolates, sweets and treats including ice cream, pastries and cakes. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a cup of the popular, hot chocolate! The museum features exhibits about how chocolate is made and more. Sit inside the café or enjoy the outdoor seating in the Biergarten!

Crystal Cave

Beneath the grounds of Heineman Winery lies a subterranean marvel, Crystal Cave, the world’s largest recorded geode. Discovered in 1897, this natural wonder is a hidden gem on Catawba Avenue, offering a unique spectacle with its walls adorned in shimmering celestite crystals—a substance once used in the manufacturing of fireworks.

A visit to Crystal Cave is an enchanting addition to the Heineman Winery tour, allowing guests to delve into an otherworldly realm that beautifully contrasts the sunlit vineyards above. The cave’s cool, mystical environment invites exploration and the chance to witness geological history up close.

The tours provide an insightful look into the cave's discovery, its formation, and the unique characteristics of celestite crystals, without the mention of prices to ensure the description remains evergreen. With tours available from May through October, each visit is a journey through time, from 11:15 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, and from 12:15 PM to 5 PM on Sundays.

Crystal Cave is a testament to the island’s geological diversity and is a must-see for nature enthusiasts and curious minds. For more details on the cave tours and to plan a visit that complements your wine experience, please explore heinemanswinery.com/crystalcave. Engage in the full Put-in-Bay experience where the legacy of winemaking meets the wonders of the natural world at Crystal Cave.

Gibraltar Island Tours

Gibraltar Island is a tiny 6.5 acre island in the middle of Put-in-Bay and is home to The Ohio State University’s Biological Field Station, F.T. Stone Laboratory. Visitors take a guided walking tour of the island including stops at Perry’s Lookout, the glacial grooves and historic Cooke Castle before learning more about the research being conducted at Stone Lab.

Griffing Flying Service

Griffing Flying Service: The privacy and convenience of private air charter flights allow business travelers to remain productive during their journey, making the most of their time by conducting meetings, working on projects, or preparing for presentations. Unlike commercial flights, private air charters have more lenient baggage policies, enabling travelers to bring oversized or specialized items without the worry of additional fees or restrictions. Potentially the BEST reason to fly Griffing is that we’re pet-friendly, allowing you to travel with your furry companions without the stress and complications that can arise when flying commercially.

Heineman’s Winery

Heineman's Winery, deeply rooted in the heritage of Put-in-Bay, has been an emblem of winemaking excellence since its establishment in 1888 by Gustav Heineman. The winery continues to thrive under the stewardship of Gustav's great-great-grandson, Dustin Heineman, who carries the torch of this family legacy with pride and dedication.

The memory of Louis and Edward Heineman, who were pivotal in the winery's story until their passing, is honored and cherished. Their passion and influence remain integral to the winery's spirit and guide its future.

Offering tours from May through October, the winery provides a journey through the fascinating Crystal Cave and the art of viticulture. Following the tour, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary tasting of wine or grape juice, showcasing the unique flavors developed from the island's vineyards.

Visitors can relax in the wine garden, sipping on a selection from over 21 different wines produced on-site, including the exquisite ice wine—a testament to Heineman's winemaking prowess. The garden offers a peaceful setting to enjoy a platter of cheese, fruit, and crackers, perfectly paired with their wines.

As a tribute to its history and a toast to its future, Heineman’s Winery invites connoisseurs and novices alike to share in the experience of local winemaking. For more about the winery's history, offerings, and to plan your visit, explore their website at heinemanswinery.com. Step into the story of the Heineman family with each glass of wine, a blend of tradition, and the essence of Put-in-Bay.

Helicopter Tours by Paratus Air

Looking for a way to enhance your visit to Put-in-Bay? Choose from one of two options to see the islands in a truly unique way! Put-in-Bay helicopter tours are open from the second weekend of May through the end of September! Please call our office at 914-FLY-HELI to schedule your helicopter tour today. The “Put-in-Bay Tour” shown above takes you on a trip around South Bass Island. You’ll see gorgeous, bird’s-eye views of Cedar Point, Port Clinton and, of course, the beautiful Put-in-Bay itself. Starting at $39.99 per person, minimum two (2) passengers, maximum three (3) passengers per trip.

Island Air Taxi

Island Air Taxi provides air service for South Bass, Middle Bass, North Bass, Kelleys Island, and Port Clinton. Fly in a Piper Cherokee Six with Club Seating that can carry five passengers or cargo. Flights can be scheduled from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, year around. Island tours are available May to September. Call or text (419) 573-2960 to schedule your flight.

Lake Erie Islands Historical Society

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society offers a glimpse into Put-in-Bay’s past. More than 6,000 square feet of display area features the original sprawling resort hotels such as the Hotel Victory, wine making, a movie on the island’s history, and artifacts from the old Put in Bay Car Races. You’ll also find examples of island memorabilia (Put-in-Bay souvenirs), and I-LYA (Inter-Lake Yachting Association) artifacts. Located off Catawba Avenue behind the Put-in-Bay Town Hall on Town Hall Lane. Watch a free history film and view a collection of model ships and ferries, some made by island craftsmen. Adult admission is $7. Seniors $4, Groups $4 each Veterans and Children free. Open daily 11-5pm from the first of May through September.

Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center

Come have a wild good time at the Nature and Wildlife Center! Meet some of the native wildlife of the islands including turtles and snakes. See honeybees at work or sit and watch the birds at our wildlife viewing window. Learn about monarch butterflies, birds, island geology, and wildlife of the islands and North America. Enjoy both our indoor and outdoor ponds and take a peaceful walk on our nature trail. There's lots to do and learn and don't miss our FREE Wild Tuesday event, every Tuesday 1-3 in the summer!

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is a symbol of the long-lasting peace enjoyed by the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The 352-foot Doric column has an observation platform that offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding islands and mainland. The National Park Service visitor center, located at 180 Toledo Avenue, offers a 15-minute free movie on the War of 1812 and Battle of Lake Erie. The visitor center also has a display of artifacts, including a British musket, a scale model of the US Brig Lawrence–Perry’s flagship–and a large flat hull diorama of the Battle of Lake Erie as Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry crossed through cannon fire to reach the US Brig Niagara and change the course of the battle. Tickets to visit the Observation Deck of the Memorial can be purchased in the visitor center.

Perry’s Cave

Historical documents show that men under the command of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry discovered this limestone cave 40 feet underground during their occupation of the island in 1813. Perry used the underground stream in Perry’s Cave for drinking water during the hot summer prior to the “Battle of Lake Erie”, fought on September 10, 1813. This pivotal naval engagement was fought during the War of 1812. The water in the stream is a consistent 50 degrees year-round.

Put-in-Bay Antique Car Parades

The Put-in-Bay Antique Car Parade, it's a Sunday tradition! The Skip Duggan Antique Car Club was established in 2006 and at last count had 123 members. There are in excess of 200 antique cars on Put-in-Bay, including 26 Model T and 46 Model A Fords...and counting!

Sunday Car Parades: There are more antique and classic vehicles per capita on Put-in-Bay than anywhere else in the world! Historic and classic cars parade the island roadways and downtown every Sunday afternoon. The parade starts at the Twine Shanty (close to the Miller Ferry Lime Kiln dock) and winds it's way through Perry's Cave Family Fun Center and through the downtown area. Parades start at approximately 2:15 PM. Be sure to wave back as the cars pass by!

Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki

Our tiki cruises are slow paced and relaxing to soak up the beauty of the Put-in-Bay harbor. Listen to your favorite tunes and crack open a cold one on our 60-minute cruises at Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki!

Put-in-Bay Winery

Nestled on the serene waterfront with Gibraltar Island as its picturesque backdrop, Put-in-Bay Winery invites visitors to indulge in an experience that tantalizes the senses. At this destination, one can engage in educational tours, delight in curated tastings, and savor light snacks, all while taking in the stunning views of Put-in-Bay’s harbor.

The winery is housed in the historic Doller Mansion, a Victorian, Italianate masterpiece once home to Valentine Doller, a key island entrepreneur and former mayor. The mansion, dating from the period between 1866 and 1885, not only serves as an emblem of the island’s rich history but also as a charming venue for social gatherings.

Guests are encouraged to explore the heritage of the Dollar House and to sample a selection of the winery’s offerings. With options ranging from the dry sophistication to the sweet pleasures, or the chance to curate your own flight from an array of Put-in-Bay Wines, Pelee Island vintages, and other celebrated wines, the winery caters to all palates.

Put-in-Bay Winery is also the perfect locale for hosting a memorable social event. The grand lakeside front yard of the Doller Mansion extends an invitation for large gatherings and events, offering a breathtaking panoramic view capable of hosting up to 400 guests. Its picturesque gazebo and expansive backyard create the perfect setting for weddings, receptions, company picnics, and family reunions, with ample space for dancing and socializing.

For those planning more intimate occasions, the interior of the historic Doller Mansion provides a cozy yet elegant space for birthday celebrations, cocktail parties, or dinner gatherings, comfortably accommodating 15 to 60 guests.

Put-in-Bay Winery is a destination where history, beauty, and the joy of winemaking converge. It's a place that promises not just a glass of wine, but a sip of Put-in-Bay’s heritage. For those looking to delve deeper into the winery's story, explore their offerings, or to plan an unforgettable event, please visit putinbaywinery.com.

With its exceptional service, historical charm, and premium wines, Put-in-Bay Winery stands as a jewel in the crown of the island's attractions, making it an essential experience for visitors and a distinguished choice for event planners in the bars, tours and activities, and weddings categories.

South Bass Island Lighthouse

Owned and operated by Ohio Sea Grant, visitors to the South Bass Island Lighthouse can climb the tower for a beautiful view and learn about the history of this national historic place. Free and open for tours 11 a.m-5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays from June 19-July 18, 2017 or by appointment (groups of 10 or more, $3 pp). The grounds are open dawn from dusk most days, but are occasionally closed for private events.

The Put-in-Bay Tour Train offers a 55-minute narrated historical tour of Put-in-Bay and makes stops at several attractions, including Heineman Winery, Perry Cave’s Family Fun Center & Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial. Ticket booth located at the Depot. Group rates available for school, wedding and tour groups.

• Request A Quote
• Senior Tour Club
• Bus Hire, Charters & Conferences
• Hawke’s Bay Wine Tours
• Testimonials

Hawke's Bay's Favourite Tour Company

Hawke’s bay tours & charters.

with Bay Tours

Hawke’s Bay and Napier are hidden gems for tourism in New Zealand. Home of the iconic Art Deco architecture, world-class wineries, breweries and cideries and some of the highest sunshine hours in the country. The best way to enjoy our region is with guidance of local experts in tours. Bay Tours will introduce you to the best of Hawke’s Bay with our private wine tours, Hawke’s Bay Twilight Tour bespoke charters and sightseeing experiences. 

Bay Tours and Charters have been hosting visitors to Hawke’s Bay and taking senior tours for over 40 years, and while every tour brings something new, we’ve got the experience, knowledge and skill to make your tour a memorable one. Every day we strive to over-deliver.

Take a look around and see what we can offer you. Got any questions? We’re here to help

Small Group Tours Designed For Seniors

Bay tours senior tour club.

For nearly 40 years, our Tour Club has offered our members wonderful single-day and multi-day tours and activities. We take care of the planning, so you can focus on enjoying yourself.

A huge range of exciting excursions

Bespoke charters, wedding transport & conferences.

Planning an event, or want to do something different for a special occasion? We can help you out with comfortable, safe transport, or setting up the perfect itinerary.

Bespoke wine tours hosted by local experts

Private hawke's bay wine tours.

We offer a diverse range of Hawkes Bay private wine tour options, to fit all tastes, schedules and group sizes. We work with you to plan the best stops and activities and to ensure your day runs smoothly. We also offer visits to breweries, the iconic Te Mata peak lookout, craft shops, artisan food producers and Art Deco city tours.

Experienced, Friendly Team

We’ve been Hawke’s Bay’s favourite tour company since 1982 because we seek to delight our customers by planning and delivering tours and excursions that exceed their expectations.

Safe, Luxury Fleet

We pride ourselves on offering a premium selection of modern vehicles to suit your needs. Our fleet is maintained to the highest standards by qualified specialist mechanics.

Free Door To Door Collections

Simply pack your bag and be waiting by your front door (or hotel) to be picked up and whisked away on your guided tour . Simply let us know where you are staying and we will do the rest!

Ready to book? Or want to know more?

Email the office for a no obligation quote

Latest Blog Posts

2nd covid-19 wave – 6 things you can do to support local new zealand businesses, how to support locally owned tourism & hospitality businesses in new zealand, what wine can you find in hawke’s bay, bay tours & charters.

Bay Tours and Charters is Hawke’s Bay’s leading tour operator offering Wine Tours, Bespoke Charters, and other holiday activities in this beautiful region since 1982.

Proudly 100% kiwi owned and operated

If you require private luxury transport ,  limo hire , or charters, visit the Black Rose Limos website.

• tripadvisor

Email: [email protected]

Freephone: 0800 868 742

International: +64 6 845 2736

Address: 26 Turner Place Onekawa Napier 4110 New Zealand

Our Services

• Hawke’s Bay Wine Tours
• Hawke’s Bay Tour Club
• Cruise Visitors
• Terms & Conditions

© 2024 Bay Tours. All Rights Reserved. Website by watsie

Sonoma Zipline Adventures

Review Highlights

“ It's been a couple of years since the last time My family has done zip lining , but it was a great experience. ” in 109 reviews

“ We did the Challenger Course , which was made up of various zip-lines, rapells, and a few suspension bridges. ” in 19 reviews

“ We decided to treat ourselves during Covid and stay in one of the new Tree Houses that they recently opened. ” in 16 reviews

Show more review highlights

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

6250 Bohemian Hwy

Occidental, CA 95465

Serving Occidental Area

You Might Also Consider

Premier Jazzman Limo

Isabella G. said "I usually don't write reviews, even when I do visit a place; however, I felt compelled to today. Today, I was expected to fly into SFO late at night. Unfortunately, my flight was completely cancelled due to weather and I will not be…" read more

in Town Car Service, Party Bus Rentals, Limos

All Day Wine Tours

Privately owned & operated chauffeured in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicle dedicated to Wine Tours and Transportation accommodating up to 11 passengers with driver suggested locations & reservations for dining and wineries. Call to… read more

in Wine Tours

Amenities and More

3 More Attributes

About the Business

Business owner information

We offer 2.5 hours of zip line thrills in the Northern California Redwoods. We've got 2 great courses. Our Forest Flight Course can be done during the day or at night. Check out our "Zip the Day Away Special!" Book 2 flights on the same day and save! Our Tree Tops Course is one of the most popular with multiple zip lines and sky bridges. Marvel at panoramic forest views and deep ravines during this eco-educational adventure of a lifetime. We're a soaring adventure that's green, family-friendly and educational. Open year-round and is located 30 minutes west of Santa Rosa, CA. Reservations are required! The hours for flights vary with the season, so please call or check our website for more information! Perfect for Team Building for companies from the North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, San Francisco, and Sacramento! …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

For TREE TOP COURSE, if we go in end of December, which time would be the best (9:45am, 10:15am, 10:45am, 12:15pm, 12:45pm, 1:45pm)? Thanks!

After lunch may be better or it will be cold I would think!! It is awesome enjoy

Is there a waitlist in case of cancellations? there's only 1 person spots left and i need 2 spots

People also searched for

Ropes Course

Campgrounds

Tourist Attractions

Scenic Drive

Obstacle Course

Hiking Trails

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

1109 reviews

Had a great Zip Line tour with Rachel and Xander. We were a big rambunctious group but they did a great job of keeping us focused but still having fun. I was wary about spending that much money but it was definitely worth it, glad we did the Tree Tops tour because it was faster and higher, which I think is more bang for your buck. The longest zip was 1500 feet long IT WAS AWESOME. A heads up though that the company partners with a religious organization so there are bible verses at every single platform and around the entire area. I thought that was really weird but thankfully we didn't get any religious talk from our guides, it's just posted around so you can sort of choose to engage or not.

We booked this experience last minute with the receptionist after seeing the sign for it on the way to the Sonoma coast. When we originally booked the experience we were a bit nervous since it was the "fastest and longest" zip line in Northern California. However, after going through the experience we had a wonderful time with our lead guide Bruce and Grace. Bruce was a personality, it felt that he had been put on this Earth to curate this experience for us. He was always there to make every situation fun and lighthearted. Grace was also very thoughtful and helpful in making sure everyone was safe and informed. Overall we had a fantastic time and look forward to trying one of their night zip line experiences sometime!

What a beautiful area. First time to zipline. The staff was incredible and very funny. An exceptional experience for sure. Also want to add the place had great vibes. Will be bringing my husband and I'll be excited to be doing this again. Thank you for an amazing time.

We had a fantastic adventure at Sonoma Zipline! I mean, where do I start? From the friendly professional greeting in the parking lot, to the zip guides, to the food service at our treehouse yurt - everything was spot on! We really appreciated the communication from the staff too. We always knew what to expect and when, which is really pleasant and helpful. The staff, the staff, the staff. This is the key to it all. Everyone was super friendly, kind, caring, and professional. The zip guides where just fantastic. I cant say enough good things about everyone we encountered. Whoever does the hiring and training here should get a raise! Great work. We did the treehouse overnight stay with two zip courses. Highly recommend it! We started at about noon and where back out to our car at noon the next day - like clockwork. We were served a charcuterie board, dinner and then breakfast the next morning in our yurt! Nothing like eating a fresh cooked meal while 60 feet high in a gorgeous redwood forest.

5+ STARS goes to Gita and Micah for making my first Zip lining experience such a great memory. It was so fun. Going into this with my friend, I was a little apprehensive. When choosing which tour to do, I chicken out of the Tree Top Tour and went for the Forest Flight Tour. But now after doing it... bring it on! The whole operation runs very well. Booking your reservations and completing all the paperwork online and most of all, safety. I had booked for a party of 2 on a Thursday at 10:30 AM. It was a perfect day. We arrived 1/2 hour before our scheduled time as per instructed. Check-in was a breeze especially if you do your paperwork online. To note: they do weight you on a scale. A truck then picks you up and takes you to the next level where you meet your guides and get suited up, go through all the safety guides, the OFF YOU GO! I loved Micah calm sense of humor and Gita's energy. Both of them worked well as a team. They made us all feel relaxed and safe while giving us confidence in what we were doing. When were were done, we all repelled to the forest floor and remove all gear. A couple things to take note: you can place all your valuables in a basket for your group only that they keep safe upon your return. You can bring your cell but if you don't have a zipped pocket it's a risk you take... BUT no worries, during your tour, there are a few cameras that catch you as a group and individually zipping and repelling. You can review and purchase the photos in the gift shop for a reasonable price. In our group Gita also took photos of us with her phone and Air-dropped the transfer of photos to each person phone when back on land. LOVED IT! I'm HOOKED! Ready for the Tree Top Tour.

See all photos from Melody K. for Sonoma Zipline Adventures

Just got back from the over night treehouse experience! I'll keep it short. Just a dad hand his two girls (12 & 10). Zip line was fun. The guides were patient and had plenty of puns to keep the experience "tree-rific". The diner was delicious and the kids loved the crème brûlée for dessert. Breakfast was more than we could eat. Besides the super long zip line the funnest part was actually enjoy the zipping with the other personalities in our group. Doing a fun and new (for the most part) thing often brings out a naturally happy and supportive vide. At least in our group. All in all a 5/5 with the kids.

My sister and I had an amazing time at Sonoma Zipline Adventures! Our guides, Dario and Grace, were outstanding. They made us feel safe, excited, and ensured we had a blast. Their enthusiasm and fun facts about the Redwoods added so much to the experience. Their patience and matched humor with us and the other duo in our group helped turn our nerves into excitement and thrill! The views were breathtaking, but it was Dario and Grace who made our adventure truly unforgettable. If you're looking for a thrilling zipline experience, Sonoma Zipline Adventures is a must!

This is the beginning of their longest zipline!

We have been to Sonoma Zipline Adventures 3 times now, it's a tradition we've made for our anniversary. We love the area and the the redwoods so much, it's such a happy beautiful place. Every time we visit, the staff are so welcoming, bubbly, and fun. I feel like our safety is top priority. The staff are well trained and they maintain a great balance of professionalism and fun. Our guides this time, Noah & Raegan, were an absolute blast and they did their job so well. There are 2 courses to choose from and we like the Tree Tops course best, although they're both great. We will be back for the night zip soon! Thanks for all of the fun!

Tree Tops Course for our 10th anniversary

The guides were amazing. We had so much fun. Highly recommend. I will definitely go again.

Everything was top notch and worth the cost! The whole experience is fun from start to finish with the guides the icing on the cake. I would encourage you to do the course with the highest and longest cable-

263 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Bike Tour Sonoma

Bike Tour Sonoma’s all-electric fleet will make your journey through the vineyards fun for all skill levels. Tackle rolling hills and longer distances with ease, and arrive to your wine tastings ready to enjoy. Our pedal-assist… read more

in Wine Tours, Bike Rentals, Bike Tours

Russian River Railbikes

Russian River Railbikes are offering scenic railbike tours starting in Cloverdale, CA and extending north along the Russian River valley. We go over a bridge, through a tunnel, by a vineyard and ending at a scenic location… read more

in Historical Tours

Collections Including Sonoma Zipline Adventures

San Francisco Date Ideas

By Liuyin S.

Wine Country Escapades

By Janice C.

Non-eating activities

Anti Corporate

By Hector G.

Sonoma Stuff

By Scott B.

Marin & Wine Country

Fun Summer Activities

By Kevin B.

Wine Country With Kids

By Ashley K.

Healdsburg/Windsor

Date Activities in Sonoma County

By Katrina G.

People Also Viewed

Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Balloon Rides

Safari West

Getaway Adventures

Sonoma Valley Trail Rides

Five Brooks

Trapeze Pro

Vintage Aircraft Company

SOAR Inflatables & Russian River Adventures

Triple Creek Horse Outfit

Horse N Around Trail Rides

Best of Occidental

Things to do in Occidental

People found Sonoma Zipline Adventures by searching for…

Day Trips Occidental

Family Fun Occidental

Hiking Trails Occidental

Hot Air Balloon Rides Occidental

Hot Air Balloons Occidental

Outdoor Activities Occidental

Ropes Course Occidental

Scenic Drive Occidental

Sonoma Canopy Tours Occidental

Tourist Attractions Occidental

Wine Tasting Occidental

Zipline Tours Occidental

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Other Places Nearby

Find more Tours near Sonoma Zipline Adventures

Find more Ziplining near Sonoma Zipline Adventures

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

• Park History
• Points of Interest
• Current Weather
• Glacier Bay Seasons
• Trip Planning
• Getting Here
• Environmental Sustainability
• Cornell Lab Bird Tracking
• Policies & Information
• Photos & Videos
• Glacier Bay Lodge
• Bartlett Cove Campground
• Fairweather Dining Room
• Glacier Bay Day Tour
• Sample Itineraries
• Whale Watching
• Guided Kayaking & Rentals
• Flightseeing
• National Park & Ranger Programs
• Explore Gustavus
• Group Travel
• Request for Proposal
• Lodging Specials
• Member Programs
• Email Sign Up
• Retrieve Reservations

Taking You Back in Time

Spend the day on the waters of Glacier Bay and see magnificent tidewater glaciers, ancient snow-capped mountains, whales, stellar sea lions, rare birds such as puffins, coastal bears, seals, eagles, and so much more.

Aboard our comfortable, high-speed catamaran, you'll travel through dramatically different ecosystems - moving from the fully developed rainforest that surrounds Glacier Bay Lodge to the lichen-encrusted rocks that exist on the edges of the massive tidewater glaciers of the park.

Midway through the day, the catamaran arrives at the faces of the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, two towering masses of ice and snow rising 245 feet above the ocean and stretching another 100 feet beneath the water. The ice that calves from the face of the two glaciers is an average of 200 years old - so in a way, watching the ice break off of the glaciers is like watching the passage of time. This great Alaska vacation will leave you speechless.

This tour is the only scheduled day tour permitted inside Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Advance Reservations Highly Recommended.

Tour Information

This eight-hour voyage is a grand experience that promises you a lifetime of memories - so book it now! 

Cancellation Policy

Reservation cancellations more than 72 hours prior to tour will receive a refund less a $25 cancellation fee per tour ticket. Reservation Cancellations within 72 hours prior to tour will result in full deposit forfeiture.

Payment Policy

Advanced payment is required at time of booking reservation(s). Payment may be made by credit card only.

Coast Guard Regulations

Due to Coast Guard Regulations, prior to boarding the vessel photo I.D. may be required. All passengers boarding the vessel are subject to screening and inspection of person, baggage or cargo. 

• Entertainment
• Celebrities
• Ticket Sales

trending now

Boeing employees 'humiliated' that upstart rival SpaceX will...

Computer executive, 66, with bladder ailment sues for $1.5M after...

North Korea table tennis champs face punishment for 'grinning' in...

Zach Wilson's final Broncos audition couldn't have gone better

Gunman who killed 5 in LI murder-suicide was son distraught over...

Russia launches massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine: Kyiv

Little League World Series' unreal finish had everything

PhD student accused of killing her friend's newborn baby could...

Breaking news, sebastian bach of skid row extends 2024 tour. get tickets today.

Sebastian Bach is leaving “Skid Row” and returning to the road.

Starting in September, the 56-year-old Canadian rocker will embark on his 35-concert, North American ‘Child Within The Man Tour’ in support of his recently-released fifth studio album with the same name.

Midway through the run, he’s slated to stop in at Sayreville, NJ’s Starland Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 2.

As of now, there are no New York dates on the North American run.

“We will give you a 100% LIVE rock ‘n’ roll show,” Bach shared in a press release. “No tapes, no fakes, all real, all the time cuz that’s the only way we know how to do it! Come and see a real rock ‘n’ roll show while it still exists.”

He’s bringing some friends along for the ride, too.

On select dates, Bach will be joined by Tesla , Ace Frehley and Lita Ford .

Fans can purchase tickets for all upcoming ‘Child Within The Man’ shows on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale is Friday, Aug. 23.

Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.

Sebastian Bach tour schedule 2024

A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues, special guests and links to buy tickets can be found below.

Rocktropolis 2024

On Sept. 20, Bach will headline alongside Frehley, Saliva frontman Josey Scott and Saving Abel singer Scotty Austin at Johnson City, TN’s Roctropolis.

If you want to go to the one-day extravaganza at the Freedom Hall Civic Center, you can grab tickets as soon as today .

Sebastian Bach set list

Based on our findings, Bach pays tribute to his Skid Row tenure at live shows.

For a closer look at what he brings to the stage, here’s what he performed at a Las Vegas gig in July 2024, according to Set List FM .

01.) “What Do I Got to Lose?” 02.) “Slave to the Grind” (Skid Row song) 03.) “Here I Am” (Skid Row song) 04.) “Big Guns” (Skid Row song) 05.) “Sweet Little Sister” (Skid Row song) 06.) “18 and Life” (Skid Row song) 07.) “Can’t Stand the Heartache” (Skid Row song) 08.) “Freedom” 09.) “Piece of Me” (Skid Row song) 10.) “Everybody Bleeds” 11.) “Monkey Business / Tom Sawyer / Monkey Business” 12.) “Love of a Lifetime (acapella) / Heaven and Hell” 13.) “I Remember You” (Skid Row song) 14.) “(Hold On) To the Dream” 15.) “Rattlesnake Shake” (Skid Row song) 16.) “American Metalhead” (PainmuseuM cover) 17.) “Youth Gone Wild”

Sebastian Bach new music

On May 10, Bach dropped his fifth solo album “Child Within The Man.”

Made up of 11 blistering tracks, Bach sounds just as fired up and urgent as he did back in his Skid Row days.

Personally, we can’t get enough of the soaring “Everybody Bleeds,” anthemic “(Hold On) To The Dream” and barnstormin’, foot-stompin’ good time “What Do I Got To Lose?”

Don’t skip the punk-metal “F.U.” either. It’s a blast.

For more, you can find “Child Within The Man” in its entirety here .

Sebastian Bach special guests

At each Bach gig, fans can expect to catch a fellow metal icon before Bach wails.

To reacquaint you with the trio of high-profile openers, here are their most streamed tracks on Spotify:

Ace Frehley: “New York Groove”

Tesla: “Love Song”

Lita Ford: “Close My Eyes Forever”

Huge stars on tour in 2024

For those about to rock, we have some suggestions.

Here are just five iconic acts you won’t want to miss live these next few months.

•  Alice Cooper with Rob Zombie

•  Mötley Crüe

•  Judas Priest

•  Sammy Hagar

•  Iron Maiden

Who else is out and about? Take a look at our list of the 50 biggest concert tours in 2024 to find the show for you.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy , New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren will tour Wisconsin next week to talk economy for Harris-Walz campaign

GREEN BAY — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren will tour Wisconsin as an economic surrogate for Democratic presidential nominee  Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, next Monday and Tuesday.

It will be the second time the Massachusetts senator visits America's Dairyland in the 2024 presidential election cycle.

"I am thrilled to be back in Wisconsin to share their message directly with voters and underscore the stakes of this election for Wisconsinites," the senator said through the Harris campaign.

Her first visit to Madison and Eau Claire in June stressed reproductive access for women, an issue that may decide the election for many swing voters in Wisconsin , a state crucial to win for both parties in November. At the same time, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, often regarded as her kindred political spirit, was talking to Wisconsinites on the economy .

It's Warren's turn to stump on the issue that the state's voters rank ahead of all others in this election.

She will highlight Harris' economic agenda released last week centered around housing affordability, medical debt, food costs and child care issues that the campaign says will be enacted within the first 100 days of taking office, as well as job creation.

Warren will begin her tour in Grafton, outside of Milwaukee, make her way up Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, and end her Monday in Door County. She will start off her Tuesday morning in Green Bay, arrive in Appleton by lunchtime, and end the day — and the tour — in Oshkosh.

The senator's tour

Monday, aug. 26.

Grafton, 12:30 p.m.

Manitowoc, 3 p.m.

Door County, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Green Bay, 10:15 a.m.

Appleton, 12:15 p.m.

Oshkosh, 2:15 p.m.

More event details will be added as provided by the Harris-Walz campaign.

Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and politics in northeast Wisconsin. Contact him at 920-431-8247 or [email protected].

Jeff Dunham performing at Pensacola Bay Center for 'Artificial Intelligence' tour

Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is bringing his " Artificial Intelligence" tour to Pensacola this November.

Dunham will perform at the Pensacola Bay Center on Nov. 21. Tickets are available now at JeffDunham.com  and  TicketMaster.com .

According to his website, Dunham received a toy ventriloquist dummy for Christmas at age of 9, began to practice, and started dreaming of characters "who could say what nobody else would dare."

Dunham is now known for his cast of characters that includes his hyperactive sidekick Peanut, the cranky old man Walter, the self-explanatory Jose the Jalapeno on a Stick, the redneck cliché NASCAR-loving Bubba J, the utterly befuddled Achmed the Dead Terrorist, and Url, the basement dwelling social media smart-phone addict. 

Dunham has been named Billboard’s Top Comedy Tour three years in a row, cited by Forbes as the third highest paid comedian behind Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, his website says. With 3.6 million YouTube subscribers and 11 million Facebook followers, he has amassed over a billion views and sold over 7 million DVDs.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Dunham has nine record-breaking comedy specials to his credit – two were Comedy Central’s most viewed specials of their respective years ("Minding the Monsters," 2012; "Controlled Chaos," 2011), and his "Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special," 2008, remains the network’s highest rated program of all time, according to Dunham's website. His NBC primetime special, "Unhinged," ranked as the time period’s top non-sports program on the "Big Four" networks, rebroadcast six weeks later on Comedy Central to become its top rated special of 2016.

Tickets for his Pensacola show are currently listed at $61 plus fees on ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

For more information visit pensacolabaycenter.com or jeffdunham.com .

The Best Food Neighborhoods in the USA

Y ou don't need the internet to tell you that there's good eating in San Francisco's Chinatown, Miami's Little Havana, New Orleans's French Quarter, or Charleston's everywhere. These neighborhoods are the stuff of legend-their reputations precede them. But what about lesser-known global food havens in places like St. Louis, Missouri; Boise, Idaho; and Dearborn, Michigan? What does their multicultural existence say about what it means to be American?

Admittedly, our interpretation of the word "neighborhood" is loose here. In some cases, it's a tidy number of blocks nestled between clear cross streets. In others, the thoroughfare runs like a life-sustaining artery through multiple neighborhoods, feeding the divergent communities that flock to them. What all 12 districts and strips that follow have in common are the sheer number of immigrant-, BIPOC-, and women-owned businesses that thrive there; the intrepid foodies who support them in droves; and, of course, ridiculously delicious food.

And so, we introduce AFAR's best food neighborhoods in the United States, in no particular order . . .

Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, New York

It's arguably the best food stretch in the best food borough in the best food city in the world-which sounds like an exaggeration until you step out of the Roosevelt Ave–Jackson Heights train station at 74th Street and, moving a few blocks in any direction, see the mind-boggling number of eateries at your disposal. Indian, Bangladeshi, Filipino, Ecuadorian, Italian-Queens has it all. It's why global food tour operator Culinary Backstreets has run daily walking tours here since 2017, and it will introduce a Jackson Heights–exclusive route next year. "Roosevelt Avenue is a gritty, dirty, messy, crazy, busy, vibrant street," says head tour guide Esneider Arevalo, who was born in Colombia but moved to Jackson Heights when he was 18. Arevalo knows food, too: His mom, octogenarian Maria Piedad Cano, is the original Arepa Lady -a lawyer turned street cart vendor who famously got her start selling arepas under the elevated 7 train.

For breakfast: Order a matcha latte and heart-shaped onigiri (rice balls stuffed with pickled plum, kimchi pork, or bacon and eggs) from 969 NYC Coffee, a homey café run by Japanese expat Oda Mitsumine.

For lunch: Phayul (37–59 74th St., second floor; 718-433-9682) is a no-frills favorite for steamed or fried Tibetan momos stuffed with juicy beef and comforting thenthuk, a soup with chewy, hand-pulled noodles and your choice of beef, chicken, or veg.

For dinner: A royal feast awaits at Argentinian restaurant La Fusta, technically in Elmhurst but under five minutes from the 82nd Street station on Roosevelt Ave. Here, grill platters are heaped high with morcilla (blood sausage), tira de asado (beef short rib), molleja (chicken gizzards), and chinchulines (beef intestines). Bring friends-and a shopping bag for leftovers.

For coffee and dessert: La Gran Uruguaya (85-02 37th Ave., 718-505-0400) presents a beautiful selection of cakes and pastries, some with Italian influence (e.g., cannolis stuffed with dulce de leche). The panaderia doubles as a sports bar, so settle in with a cup of coffee, a slice of chajá (peach meringue cake), and watch a fútbol match on TV with the locals.

It's 5 o'clock, now what? Terraza 7 is a go-to spot for live Latin jazz and Afro Colombian music plus rummy cocktails like the Currulao, a blended ice drink made with mango and pineapple.

Tip from a local: "When you first walk into Aroma Brazil (75–13 Roosevelt Ave., 718-672-7662) , you're confronted with an insane array of salads, salsas, rice and beans, fried yucca, and plantains, all sold by the pound," says Arevalo. "You could go crazy just on the buffet, but save space on your plate and go to the window with the master griller. He'll tell you what he's grilling that day- picanha [rump cap], sausages-and you tell him how well you want it done. Everyone goes for the skirt steak, but I love the beef rib. And don't skip dessert: The passion fruit mousse is outstanding, the Brazilian flan divine."

East Amarillo Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas

At the husband-and-wife-run African Safari Restaurant (5945 E. Amarillo Blvd., 806-471-0490), on the far east end of the food corridor that is East Amarillo Boulevard (aka Route 66), immigrants from Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia eat crispy fried goat, chicken drumsticks, and tilapia with capellini pasta in tomato sauce (a Somali standard) and generous plates of surbiyaan (Somali-style basmati rice). There are prayer rugs in the corner and soccer on the TV, because this is more than just a place to fill your belly; it's a community hub. It's hardly the only one dotting this diverse stretch of highway. Other draws include South Asian grocers, Mexican paleterias selling ice pops and ice cream, Salvadoran pupuserias, and eateries specializing in Chinese, Laotian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine.

For breakfast: At African Safari Restaurant, try a steaming cup of Somali chai with canjeero or sabaayad (flatbreads popular in Somalia), plus a filling order of fuul (fava beans stewed to creamy perfection in an herbaceous tomato sauce). If you're feeling adventurous at 9 a.m., know that the goat liver with onions gets rave reviews.

For lunch: Go wild on a plate of pupusas from El Carbonero . The griddled corn cakes are stuffed with beans, cheese, pork rinds, jalapeño, loroco flower, and every combination therein.

For dinner: Start with plates of Lao beef jerky with sticky rice and lemongrass-y chicken larb at pan-Asian restaurant Golden Lotus . For your main, you can do no better than a hearty bowl of hu tieu , seafood noodle soup brimming with shrimp, squid, and crab meat.

For dessert: Grab a real-fruit ice pops from taqueria cum paleteria El Mexicano (4509 E. Amarillo Blvd., 806-372-5123), available in coconut, strawberries and cream, tamarind, and mango with chile.

For a spicy snack: You can't beat the pickled Cheetos at Tropico : Hot Cheetos topped with chunks of pickle, lemon, chamoy, and chile. A watermelon rusa, garnished with pineapple and mango and served with a flechazo (a straw coated in chamoy and chile powder), will wash it all down.

What to bring home: A jar of fermented tea leaves from Aye San Bu Myanmar Market (5621 E. Amarillo Blvd., 806-331-5325), so you can make authentic laphet ( pickled tea leaf salad ) long after your trip.

The Grove in St. Louis, Missouri

Once the beating heart of St. Louis's gay and lesbian bar scene, and now ground zero for young foodies, the Grove has everything: craft beer, kombucha , barbecue, soul food, from-scratch doughnuts , and enough international fusion ( Korean Mexican ! Ivorian Senegalese !) that you could eat your way around the world in the span of a single square mile. Even more impressive: Many of the indie businesses in this district have committed to lowering their environmental impact by setting up sustainable operations, partnering with the 501c3 nonprofit Green Dining Alliance to keep them accountable.

For breakfast: Songbird 's egg sandwiches are king. Aged white cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, and a perfectly runny, farm-fresh egg are squished between two slices of toasted sourdough. Heaven.

For lunch: Get your grilled kebab fix at Sameem , the first-and only-Afghan restaurant in Missouri, pre-gamed with a velvety bowl of hummus from Sultan Mediterranean .

For dinner: At Chao Baan , the Prapaisilp family whips up dishes from Isaan, or northeastern Thailand, including khao soi (curry soup) and khao tod nam sod (crispy rice salad) . At Creole with a Splash of Soul , passionate home cook Ronda Walker honors her roots with Cajun wings, 'gator bites, and po'boys.

For dessert: Try a King Cake cone, Gooey Butter ice cream sandwich, or waffle cone "nachos" with three scoops of your favorite flavors from Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream , a recent transplant to the Grove.

For a casual date night: Grace Meat + Three lives up to its name with epic choose-your-own-adventure platters. (For the record, we'd pick fried chicken with honey-glazed cornbread, mac and cheese, and collard greens.)

It's 5 o'clock, now what? Explore the funky, forward-thinking beers at Rockwell Beer Co. , a brewery housed in repurposed shipping containers, or alternate between boozy slushies and stiff cocktails (the West Grove Sour is made with Four Roses bourbon, bonded brandy, lemon, egg white, and a red wine reduction) at the divey-fun Platypus bar.

Tip from a local: "Pork steak is a very big St. Louis thing," says Gerard Craft, a Midwest dining pioneer and owner of more than half a dozen restaurants via his Niche Food Group (including brassWELL , the burger joint inside Rockwell). "They can be chewy and overcooked, but Beast Butcher & Block makes a very thick pork steak sandwich and it's one of the best uses of barbecue I've ever had in my life. Legit."

Pork steak is a very big St. Louis thing. They can be chewy and overcooked, but Beast Butcher & Block makes a very thick pork steak sandwich and it's one of the best uses of barbecue I've ever had in my life. Legit.

Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota

They don't call it Eat Street for nothing. Just south of downtown, the global thoroughfare features myriad African, Asian, and Latin American grocery stores and halal meat markets, an all-night diner ( the Nicollet Diner ), Malaysian restaurant Peninsula , German biergarten Black Forest Inn , Greek gyro shop Christos , Trinidadian hole-in-the-wall Harry Singh's Original Caribbean Restaurant , farmers' market stalwart Rainbow Chinese , pho stars Pho 79 and Pho Tàu Bay , and beloved bánh mì purveyor Lu's Sandwiches .

For breakfast: Tacos from the new Eat Street location of Centro , where owner Jami Olson, chef Jose Alarcon, and pastry director Ngia Xiong do supernatural things with eggs, house-made chorizo, and glittery guava rolls.

For lunch: Feel the burn of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen 's One Love Special: a combo plate with fire-grilled jerk chicken, slow-roasted jerk pork, coconut rice and beans, sweet fried plantains, island slaw, and a lip tingler of a sauce.

For dinner: At Quang , an always-bumping Vietnamese restaurant that's been family-owned since 1989, broke U of M students bump elbows with Mayo Clinic physicians. They come for the enormous egg rolls, stay for the beefy noodle soups ( bun bo hue is a fiery beef-and-pork hock stew with rice noodles), and lose their minds over surprise desserts like che dau, a sticky rice pudding made with black-eyed peas and coconut cream.

For dessert: Sample the finest fruits of Southeast Asia at long-running Malaysian restaurant Peninsula , where the options for satisfying a sweet tooth include mango sticky rice, roti canai stuffed with stinky-ripe durian, and the always impressive Snow White, house-made coconut milk dressed up with pineapple and lychee jellies and a sticky rice ball.

It's 5 o'clock, now what?: Order a maple-infused Old Fashioned at Bûcheron , a new French American restaurant from Adam and Jeanie Ritter. Seats at the bar and counter are reserved for walk-ins, and you can't go wrong with small bites such as smoked eel tartine and venison tartare with egg yolk and spruce tips.

Tip from a local: "There's a small restaurant in the back of Colonial Market grocery store where we often grab lunch," say Gabriella Grant-Spangler, co-owner of Bebe Zito Ice Cream , an anchor tenant in the bustling Eat Street Crossing food hall on Nicollet. "We love the cinnamon coffee, which is not fancy but feels special, and the consistently great birria tacos, which come with a wonderful dipping broth. It feels like a hug."

We love the cinnamon coffee, which is not fancy but feels special, and the consistently great birria tacos, which come with a wonderful dipping broth. It feels like a hug.

Bench in Boise, Idaho

Boise's famous Basque Block , a stateside collection of Basque restaurants, pintxos bars, and cultural institutions, gets all the attention, but the Bench neighborhood is home to a broader swath of food-including Afghan pastries, Cuban paninis, and a Bosnian-owned café serving sour cabbage and goulash ( BoEx ). It's a go-to for people who want to taste the world but don't want to dig out their passport-even more so during Treasure Valley's annual Refugee Restaurant Week.

For breakfast: Pair a Turkish coffee with mohamra (walnut dip) and lambajun (flatbread sprinkled with meat) at Food Land Market , a bistro/bakery/coffee shop founded by Iraqi refugee Hana Mutlak.

For lunch: For 16 years, Argentinian Mexican couple Monica and Luis Bremmer have lured locals to Tango's Empanadas with their delectable meat pockets. The Gaucho (ground beef, eggs, onions, olives, bell peppers, and spices) is a classic, but the chocolate-spiked mole chicken sparks conversation.

For dinner: Carne con papas and pollo frito a la Cubana are just two of the crowd-pleasers at CasaBlanca Cuban Grill , a decade-old eatery that executes owner Karina Sotera's grandmother's recipes to a tee.

For dessert: The magical saffron pudding and pistachio baklava at Sunshine Spice Cafe , a bakery run by two Afghan sisters who've been nominated for a James Beard Award.

What to bring home: Seed packets from Snake River Seed Cooperative or Galloping Gertie's goat milk caramels made with Idaho huckleberries from artisan marketplace Lark & Larder .

Tip from a local: "I still find myself charmed and surprised by the range of cuisines and establishments peppering both busy thoroughfares and sleepy neighborhood corners," says Laurie Pearman, founder of Common Ground Coffee & Market , opening in the Bench this spring. " Das Alpenhaus Deli is one of my favorites for their daily hot lunches, large market, and annual Oktoberfest. You can't beat their schnitzel sandwich."

Columbia City in Seattle, Washington

In this historically diverse enclave in southeast Seattle, you'll find American standards like biscuits and gravy at all-day breakfast spot Geraldine's Counter , wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza at Tutta Bella , build-your-own injera platters at Eritrean/Ethiopian haunt Kezira Cafe, chicken shawarma at Bananas Grill , vegan-friendly avocado curry at Bua 9 Thai Cuisine , and whole-fried tilapia or dry-fried goat with a side order of chapati or ugali at Kenyan staple Safari Njema Restaurant . When Korean Hawaiian bruncherie Super Six closed, it was a blow to the neighborhood, but co-owners Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison then turned a one-time auto repair shop into an outpost of Marination , complete with Korean Hawaiian–inspired lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service, plus a full bar.

For breakfast: The colorful Tacos El Asadero bus (3513 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-9977) serves desayuno seven days a week. Options include breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and machaca, a shredded, dried, and rehydrated beef dish that is popular in northern Mexico.

For lunch: Lil Red Jamaican BBQ & Soul Cuisine is not for the indecisive. Erasto "Red" Jackson does meat-succulent brisket, lip-smacking barbecue chicken, jerk chicken, jerk pork, pulled pork, smoked sausage, even whole snapper-very, very well. Once you make up your mind, you're then faced with a panoply of sides: greens, yams, plantains, mac and cheese, rice and peas . . . and wait, what's that? Lumpia and coco bread, too? Mercy!

For dinner: The sustainability-first, nose-to-tail menu at Evan Leichtling and Meghna Prakash's Off Alley changes with the whims of a hyper-local market, but there's always something interesting on the pass: rabbit kidneys on toast, grilled oysters with horseradish ice,and so on. The wines are excellent, and the kitchen has mastered desserts (blackberry pastry, Dutch babies) that incorporate seared foie gras.

Must-try coffee shop: Cayenne mochas and cashew milk lattes come with a side of rare vinyl at Empire Roasters and Records . The hybrid café/record store also makes waffles if you're feeling peckish.

What to bring home: Fine olive oil, dried beans, and local honey from Persephone Market, a sweet little wine shop and artisanal pantry located next to Sicilian jewel La Medusa .

South Valley/Barelas in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Settled in the 1600s, this neighborhood is the oldest in Albuquerque. It hugs the Rio Grande and Camino Real, a colonial-era trail that once led all the way to Mexico City and is now home to the South Broadway Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center . The latter houses Torreón , the largest concave fresco in North America, and the destination restaurant La Fonda del Bosque , where you may be tempted by the Chinese barbecued duck quesadilla or Albuquerque French Dip, served with a green chile red wine au jus. The area has a wealth of old-school panaderias and Mexican and New Mexican restaurants. Some have even made their way into popular culture, appearing on shows both real ( Man vs. Food ) and fictionalized ( Better Call Saul ).

For breakfast: La Mexicana Tortilla Co. , founded in 1932, is best known for its breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, hash browns, and your choice of hot dogs, Spam, chorizo, bacon, sausage, or carne adovada : pork smothered in red or green chile sauce and blanketed in melted cheese.

For lunch: The nearly century-old El Modelo is popular with actors filming in the area. The stuffed sopapilla-bursting with chile chorizo, refried beans, cheese, and lettuce-is the thing to get, but you can't go wrong with the chile relleno burrito or fresh tamales.

For dinner: Black-owned Nexus Brewery + Smokehouse made its bones with brisket and burnt ends, but the catfish tacos and Enterprise sandwich (pulled pork, brisket, and hot links topped with green chile and coleslaw) are nothing to sniff at.

For the 'gram: " Grandma's K&I Diner features the Travis, a 10-pound burrito with fries, smothered with red chili and cheese," says Frank Sandoval, owner of the city's Breaking Bad RV Tours . "It is out of the way but very popular among industry people in the area."

It's 5 o'clock, now what?: Sidetrack Brewing Company offers six-pour flights, cask-conditioned beers, and a maize-lightened German pilsner for anyone watching their gluten intake.

What to bring home: The Rail Yards Market hosts 150-plus vendors every Sunday from May through October. It's a great place to pick up locally made nonperishables, such as as mango-habanero spread from Spice Jams NM , green chile "Christmas" jam from Sandia Spice , green chile beef jerky from DurDe Jerky , and jars of Tio Frank 's New Mexican–style red and green chile sauce.

Tip from a local: " Barelas Coffee House , owned and operated by the Gonzales family for more than 50 years, is the most historic family-owned restaurant in Albuquerque," says Dr. Margie Huerta, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center. "From U.S. presidents to state governors, it's a ‘must' when visiting. Their carne adovada , pork cooked to perfection and smothered in homemade red chile, is truly unforgettable and the energy and vibe of the restaurant only adds to its popularity."

MLK in Chattanooga, Tennessee

This historic neighborhood, formerly known as Ninth Street, covers five blocks between Houston and University streets. It's listed on the National Register as an area of historical significance because it is the birthplace of jazz greats Bessie Smith, Lovie Austin, and Yusef Lateef. In addition to the must-see Bessie Smith Cultural Museum , it's a hub for Black-owned businesses. Briana Garza, owner of Chatt Taste Food Tours , launched her MLK Southern Cuisine Food Tour on Juneteenth 2020; it makes four stops in the neighborhood-all minority-owned businesses disproportionately affected by the pandemic. "I chose MLK because of its history," she says, referencing long-shuttered music clubs, buzzing barber shops, community murals, and restaurants that are still kicking half a century later.

For Sunday brunch: Start with a very Southern hair of the dog (local Velo coffee with a shot of whiskey) at the Bitter Alibi before exploring the three-story restaurant and bar's globally inspired menu. Heavy hitters include cheddar drop biscuits with chorizo gravy, ramen noodles with crispy pork belly, and a Korean rice bowl.

For lunch: Chopped plates are popular around these parts: Try a chopped wiener with hot mustard at the 56-year-old Memo's Grill (430 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.; 423-267-7283) or the chopped chicken at James Massengill's Chatt Smokehouse . (His smoked ribs are no slouch either.) For a picnic with all the fixings, order a family meal from Champy's Chicken , available in four sizes. The biggest bucket comes with 20 pieces of crispy chicken and five large sides.

For dinner: "Fish so good it will smack ya!" reads the sign outside Uncle Larry's Restaurant , named after proprietor Larry Torrence. The uncle in charge knows his way around a fryer, delicately breading and cooking whiting, catfish, perch, and tilapia. If you want to leave room for dessert, trust that the banana pudding and red velvet cake are pure Southern goodness.

For a vegan option: Black-owned pizza chain Slim & Husky's looks out for its animal friends with its Nothin' But a V Thang pie, made with vegan cheese, pepperoni, and sausage crumble, plus spinach, red onion, and mushrooms.

For dessert: Poppytons Patisserie , the current restaurant-in-residence at Proof Bar & Incubator , churns out fruity hand tarts and a mean carrot cake.

What to bring home: A plastic bottle of Uncle Larry's Smack ‘Em sauce-like tartar sauce on steroids. "It's a game changer," says Garza. "The best condiment I've ever had."

Havana Street in Aurora, Colorado

Less than 10 miles east of Denver, Aurora is the third most populous city in Colorado: home to 386,261 residents and more than 250 global restaurants. The Havana Street corridor is particularly dense-the kind of thoroughfare where Indian ( Chutney Indian Cuisine ), Italian ( Bettola Bistro ), Korean ( Tofu Story ), and Sudanese ( Sudan Cafe & Khairat Bakery ) restaurants rub shoulders with century-old diners ( Sam's No. 3 ) and Korean karaoke bars, hot pot restaurants, fried chicken joints, boba tea shops, and bingsu (shaved ice) vendors. From dawn till dusk, you never run out of tasty things to put in your mouth.

For breakfast: Hit up French Asian bakery Tous les Jours for pain au chocolat and walnut caramel scones, plus trickier-to-find treats such as taro cream bread, red bean doughnuts, and honeydew melon buns. The purple ube latte, available hot or iced, is a hit with the Instagram set.

For lunch: Just off Havana, Mariscos El Rey Dos is a seafood restaurant with a biblically long menu. Tuck into the ceviche Campechano (lime-cooked shrimp, fish, octopus, squid, crab, and abalone piled atop a tostada), chased with a Michelada.

For dinner: Get ready for the meat sweats. Whether you choose Korean barbecue ( Dae Gee and Shin Myung Gwan are both popular) or Brazilian churrasco ( Aroma do Brazil ), the decadence is real.

For dessert: Embrace a mountainous "snow bowl" at Snowl Cafe , where the shaved ice flavors include sweet potato cheesecake, black sesame, and green tea.

For a carb fix: Head to Sara's Market & Bakery for oven-fresh lavash, simit (seeded Turkish bagels), shirmal (saffron-flavored sweet bread), and barbari (yeast-leavened Iranian flatbread).

It's 5 o'clock, now what?: Round up your happy hour crew for $8 soju and $7 beer at K-pub ThankSool Pocha , every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Late-night haunt: The soju-fueled fun continues at Muse Noraebang & Cafe , a karaoke bar that stays open until 2 a.m. and helpfully serves honghap tang , a hangover soup made with mussels. With eight private rooms and Singapore Slings priced to move, you'll need it.

Tip from a local: "Pick up takeout and go paddleboarding at Cherry Creek State Park ," says Chance Horiuchi, executive director of the Havana Business Improvement District. The park surrounding the 880-acre reservoir has a sandy swimming beach; hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails; and an airfield for flying radio-controlled model aircraft.

Arts District in Los Angeles, California

The late French bistro Church & State (R.I.P.) may have paved the way, but DTLA's Arts District has really come into its own these past few years. The former industrial zone boasts some of the hardest reservations to score (looking at you, Bestia ) and biggest restaurant openings (Enrique Olvera's Damian , Stephanie Izard's Girl & the Goat , etc.) For critics, the skyrocketing trendiness hurts its credibility, while others see the neighborhood as deftly towing the line between destination restaurants packed with out-of-towners and the kind of down-to-earth street grub that keeps locals coming back.

For lunch: East L.A. native Wes Avila started Guerrilla Tacos as a modest little food truck; now it's a full-blown, pilgrimage-worthy taqueria. Order his Taco de Papa, a corn tortilla stacked with crispy Jack cheese, potato-and-mushroom guisado, rajas, and avocado salsa, or the Puffy Pocho, an as-fun-to-say-as-it-is-to-eat, deep-fried flour tortilla packed with ground beef and topped with aged cheddar, pico de gallo, avocado salsa, and chipotle cream.

For brunch: Manuela , tucked inside the sprawling Hauser & Wirth gallery, is a knockout on a Saturday morning: Tour the art, and then settle in for Kris Tominaga's lauded cream biscuits and barbecued oysters with green chile butter.

For dinner: Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis are doing tantalizing things in the name of the Levant at Bavel , just 15 minutes from forever-booked Bestia. While you could feast on nothing but spreads and apps (hummus duck ‘nduja, ocean trout crudo with blueberry and urfa chile oil), you'd be remiss not to order the slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma with pickled vegetables. Even the desserts-think Persian mulberry ice cream or rose-clove chocolate doughnuts-punch above their weight.

It's 5 o'clock, now what?: Throw back a creative cocktail (or three) amid greenery and glowing string lights at Alé Guzman's always packed rooftop eatery LA Cha Cha Chá . The red bell pepper–mezcal Negroni is made with Del Maguey Vida mezcal and mole bitters, while the blue corn tortilla Old Fashioned seduces with Abasolo corn whiskey, nixta elote liqueur, and buttered blue corn masa.

Late-night haunt: From pro skateboarder turned pizzaiolo Salman Agah comes Pizzanista! , a slice joint open till midnight on weekends. His Sundays-only, macaroni-and-cheese pizza is L.A.-famous, but the North Shore pie-La Quercia speck and fresh-cut pineapple on a hand-stretched sourdough crust-is an instant classic.

What to bring home: Raid the shelves at Yangban Society's Super , a mini mart selling canned and bottled cocktails, Korean fruit milks, face masks, incense, and other goods from Asian American–owned businesses. The makgeolli, or sparkling rice wine, is made exclusively for Yangban by L.A.-based sake company Sawtelle.

NuLu in Louisville, Kentucky

NuLu stands for "New Louisville," the East Market District of downtown known for its art galleries, antique shops, and robust food scene. Settle in for slow-roasted lechon asado and classic cancháncharas at Cuban rum bar and restaurant La Bodeguita de Mima , pork belly marinated in doenjang at Korean steakhouse ( Nami ) from celebrity chef Edward Lee, or a jaw-dropping salatim platter from Levantine restaurant Meesh Meesh . The siren calls don't stop there, either: Other NuLu temptations include hot chicken, barbecue, and bourbon-infused bonbons (this is the South, after all).

For breakfast or brunch: The mile-high biscuit sandwiches and pancake corn dogs at Biscuit Belly will fill you for hours. For something lighter, consider the beet-cured salmon tartine from Rosettes , a Parisian-style café inside the newly opened Hotel Genevieve .

For lunch: Explore Cajun and Creole flavors at LouLou on Market , where the midday offerings include jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish étoufée, and oysters on the half shell with a dash of Crystal hot sauce.

For dinner: Chef Bruce Ucán, owner of the Mayan Café , has been entrenched in the NuLu neighborhood for more than a quarter of a century. His tok-sel lima beans-seared the traditional Mayan way with sesame oil, pumpkin seeds, green onions, parsley, and lime-are lionized locally, but don't miss his confited duck in a smokey-rich, 30-plus-ingredient black mole sauce.

For coffee and dessert: Grab a butterscotch latte and an ooey-gooey chocolate-chip cookie from Please & Thank You , a coffee shop-slash-bakery whose cookies are so coveted they ship them by the dozen nationwide.

For a nightcap: Ucán recommends moseying over to Nouvelle Bar & Bottle , a French-inspired wine bar with reds, whites, and what it dubs "a completely irresponsible champagne list." Also Taj , a "sexy bourbon bar" with the occasional live music night and costumed karaoke party.

What to bring home: A tray of Modjeskas from the 103-year-old Muth's Candies . The creamy, buttery, marshmallow-stuffed caramels were named after Helena Modjeska, a Polish actress who fell in love with Louisville after emigrating to the United States in the 1840s.

Dearborn, Michigan

This suburb, less than 15 minutes west of downtown Detroit, is home to one of the country's largest Muslim populations, with scores of treasured restaurants founded by immigrants from Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine. Long-running favorites include Al Ameer and the halal drive-thru at Cedarland , bu t the area offers a delight a minute: microbreweries , pudding trucks , late-night sub hubs , Turkish "pizza" and ice cream , and hookah bars with fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies.

For brunch: Good luck selecting just one dish from the vast menu of Yemeni-American classics at Dellah Coffee & Brunch House . The lahm sighar, made with minced beef, onions, and Hawai‘j spices, is a signature. Or you could try the bubbling shakshuka, its eggs poached to perfection in a rich tomato sauce. Or maybe the pistachio-studded pancakes layered with creamy-sweet ashta, the Middle Eastern answer to clotted cream? Impossible to decide.

For dinner: Pants with an elastic waistband are in order after a meal at Malek Al-Kabob , a Lebanese haunt whose specialties include a "loaded" shawarma (beef or chicken shaved straight from the vertical broiler and piled over fries, then drizzled with a spicy sajji sauce and showered in fresh herbs) and lamb liver sautéed with onion and tomato. Plenty of vegetarian options, too, including a mixed platter that'll be the envy of your Instagram fans.

For coffee and dessert: The Yemeni-owned Qahwah House imports premium organic beans. They're best consumed alongside freshly baked sabaya, a traditional pastry layered with Yemeni butter. The Dearborn-founded microchain stays open late and has an outdoor patio at its Michigan Avenue outpost.

What to bring home: A beautifully arranged box of assorted baklava from Shatila , where the walnut- and pistachio-stuffed phyllo pastries are shaped into miniature roses, bird nests, and other sweet indulgences.

While you're there: Drop by the Arab American National Museum , the only museum dedicated to Arab American culture in the USA. The calendar is packed with exhibitions, art performances, movie nights, food tours, crafting circles, even seed swaps.

This story was originally published in August 2022 and was updated in March 2024 with new information.

Jersey's Leading Luxury Coach Company

Daily excursions with experienced, professional and informative guides.

£22.50 per person

Half Day Floral Country Tour

£30 per person

All Day Island Tour

Postponed until further notice....

Historical Guided Maritime Tour

Explore our beautiful island with Bay Tours Jersey.

Our knowledgeable, professional and friendly guides are waiting to welcome you on board our range of luxury midi coaches for a tour to remember.

Whether you have visited before or are new to the island, you are sure to discover more on an excursion with Bay Tours Jersey.

• Skip to Nav
• Skip to Main
• Skip to Footer
• Saved Articles
• Newsletters

Glittering Tides: Where to Spot Bioluminescence in the Bay Area

Please try again

Every year during the summer or fall, shore waves across the Bay Area are lit up with flashes of beautiful blue light.

This beautiful blue light is caused by millions of tiny bioluminescent plankton called dinoflagellates. But how do these minuscule organisms produce such a dazzling display?

Keep reading for the facts about the science behind bioluminescence, and where you can see it for yourself in the Bay Area.

• Jump straight to: How you can see bioluminescence for yourself in the Bay Area

How do organisms make light?

Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction that happens inside many organisms, from bacteria to squid, shrimp, fungus, fireflies and even starfish.

This is all thanks to a light-emitting molecule in their cells called luciferin, combined with a photo protein called luciferase. This protein creates the chemical reaction between luciferin and oxygen, making these organisms glow.

Different forms of luciferin can produce different colors of light. Fireflies, for example, have a form of luciferin in their cells that emit green light, whereas marine organisms like the dinoflagellates found around the shores of the San Francisco Bay emit blue light.

Why do some organisms produce bioluminescence?

Some species of bioluminescent sea creatures, like some jellyfish, have evolved to become bioluminescent due to their diet. When they eat other bioluminescent organisms, they borrow that chemical that allows them to produce light within their bodies.

Other sea creatures, like angler fish that have that ball of light that glows and lures in prey, and flashes light to repel predators, get their bioluminescence from a certain bacteria called photobacterium.

“And the standard rule of thumb is that, what glows in the ocean attracts and what flashes repel,” said Steve Haddock, a senior scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute who researches bioluminescence organisms. He also runs a citizen science website, JellyWatch.org .

Bioluminescence is a terrific deterrent against predators that would eat these organisms. It also functions like a flashlight for finding and attracting prey. Some organisms use their glowing abilities as camouflage — they turn light on to block out their silhouette, a kind of cloaking device — hiding them from potential predators.

What are dinoflagellates? And how are they related to red tides?

Dinoflagellates are single-celled phytoplankton that are usually invisible to the naked eye. But when they are present in high numbers, they can turn the water a hazy green or even orange, depending on the pigments present in cells of that species. When left alone, dinoflagellates won’t produce any light, but when things like ocean waves, wind, and sea creatures disturb them at night, they become bioluminescent, dazzling with a blue light.

When water temperatures and conditions are just right, blooms of dinoflagellates can grow rapidly and accumulate in high concentrations, causing an event known as a red tide. Red tide is a term generally used to describe when phytoplankton or algae becomes so abundant that it discolors the water, sometimes appearing orange or red.

“So you get a red tide in the daytime and blue tide in the nighttime,” said Haddock.

Can I swim or kayak in bioluminescent waters caused by a dinoflagellate red tide?

A red tide of dinoflagellates is not to be mistaken with the harmful red tides that killed many fish across the Bay Area last year. The species that caused that red tide is called Heterosigma akashiwo, and although classified as not dangerous to humans, this species can suck up all the oxygen that fish need in the water, causing them to die.

Most of the bioluminescent species of dinoflagellates are not dangerous to humans. And it should be fine to kayak or swim in bioluminescent waters, says Haddock. But during a red tide, when the water is murky brown, multiple species of different organisms may be present, including the ones that release toxins that might be harmful to humans and animals.

Some species of dinoflagellates can produce various toxins. Their decomposition releases the toxin into the water, and it can even enter the air and become a problem for marine animals and humans, according to Peter Roopnarine, a curator of geology at California Academy of Sciences.

“Pay attention to your local advisories about water quality, and things like shellfish poisoning,” Haddock advised.

The rule of thumb is: If the water is a murky brown instead of the usual green or blue, it’s best to stay out of the water. Read more about the algal blooms during the red tide in the Bay Area here .

When can I see bioluminescence around the Bay Area?

Johnny Chien, a hobbyist photographer and Bay Area resident captured bioluminescence at Seacliff State Beach and Manresa State Beach in Santa Cruz County last year. He says that when looking for bioluminescence, patience is key.

“It’s one of those natural [phenomena] that is kind of like the Northern Lights,” said Chien. Chien says that because the wind and tide play important roles in the movement of these bioluminescent planktons, it’s worth it to walk around and explore the beaches when you’re out looking for them. “You could have combinations where there are blotches or certain parts of the beach that are active, certain parts are not,” said Chien.

What time of year is best to see bioluminescence?

Bioluminescent planktons are around all year long in our California waters. But it’s only when there’s a high concentration of them that makes for a big bioluminescence event, says Haddock. And the best time to see one of those is usually from June until October.

Predicting a big bioluminescent event is not easy. It depends on many factors like temperature, the weather, wind, and tide. So with that in mind…

Tip #1: Watch the weather

Phytoplanktons like dinoflagellates can reproduce significantly in optimal warm temperatures. Very often, these warm temperatures can cause an increase in dinoflagellate populations, said Roopnarine.

Haddock says that spotting bioluminescence is “best in the fall,” especially on a balmy day in late summer, “where it’s been relatively warm and calm.”

Sometimes conditions occur that lead to massive increases in abundance. These can be seasonal causes, when currents concentrate them in some areas, or when nutrient conditions become very favorable for population increase among bioluminescent planktons, said Roopnarine.

A rainy or windy day followed by a calm day can kick off the sequence of events leading to a bloom. Rainy days will bring nutrients like phosphate and nitrate found in fertilizers used on land into the watershed and eventually into the sea. Wind will cause the mixing of deeper water, which has more nutrients, up to the surface, said Haddock.

Calm waters in a bay where the area is more enclosed and unaffected by the wind, could be a great spot to look for them after a windy or rainy day, said Haddock.

Tip #2: Look for red tides around surf zones

Shreenivasan Manievannan, a professional photographer in the Bay Area, captured a video of the bioluminescence in 2022 in Pacifica when he noticed the red tide event earlier in the day.

“I noticed a distinct change in [color in] the waves in the surf zone,” said Manievannan.

• Tell us: What else would you like to read a guide about right now?

Tip #3: Track those dinoflagellates (or follow those who do)

You might also be able to track dinoflagellates on iNaturalist , a crowdsourced species-identification system.

Also, stay tuned to local aquariums like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and social media updates on bioluminescence events.

Tip #4: Consider the visibility

For the best visibility, catch the bioluminescence on a moonless night or a night during a new moon.

“The darker the night, the better,” said Haddock.

Where can I see bioluminescence around the Bay Area?

Haddock says that if the bioluminescence is very bright, you can see it really well on the shore or on the bluffs overlooking the shore.

But one of his best experiences seeing bioluminescence was on a rowboat in a bay.

“Every drip of water from the paddle would create this concentric ring of lights that went out,” he said. “It’s just amazing.”

The two most common spots to check out bioluminescence are Tomales Bay in Marin County and Moss Landing in Monterey Bay where you can take advantage of a number of bioluminescent tours organized by kayaking companies.

In Santa Cruz county, residents have spotted bioluminescence on the shores of Manresa State Beach in Aptos, Seacliff State Beach, Rio Del Mar State Beach , Shark Fin Cove in Davenport, Platforms Beach and Sumner Beach in Aptos. Big Sur near Bixby Bridge has been known to produce bioluminescence in 2018.

For folks who want to experience this event with others, Haddock advises checking out kayaking companies that offer bioluminescence tours. Bay Area kayak companies like Kayak Connection and Blue Waters Kayaking offer bioluminescence tours every year from June until around November.

What’s it like to go on one of these bioluminescence tours via kayak — especially if you’re already a science lover? In 2023, Bay Area scientist Nuur Shaikh, who majored in biology in college, accompanied almost 20 other friends on a bioluminescence tour in Moss Landing, Santa Cruz , where the tour guides brought them to the bioluminescent hot spots in Elkhorn Slough.

“The current was basically pulling us toward the hot spots. We didn’t really have to row or anything,” she said.

On the way to the bioluminescent hot spots, Shaikh and her group passed by patches of algae. “So you could pick up a piece of algae and you can kind of see the [bioluminescent] plankton that’s stuck on those strands,” she said.

When she twirled her fingers in the water, she said the water would light up for a microsecond, making it look like glitter.

“They kind of sparkle a little,” she said. “They look like fairy dust.”

This story was originally published on August 10, 2023.

Tell us: What else do you need information about?

At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2024. We’ve published clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID , how to cope with intense winter weather and how to exercise your right to protest safely .

So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.

To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy.

Morning Rundown: What's next after the Israel-Hezbollah escalation, Hurricane Hone soaks Hawaii, and body of missing Grand Canyon hiker found

Rep. Matt Gaetz defeats Kevin McCarthy-backed GOP primary challenger

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., won his primary Tuesday, NBC News projects, handing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy a final defeat on his revenge tour. 

Gaetz defeated Navy veteran Aaron Dimmock, who was backed by McCarthy, R-Calif., in the deeply Republican 1st District on the Florida Panhandle.

McCarthy and his allies had targeted Gaetz, along with other Republicans who voted to oust him from the speakership late last year. McCarthy was able to claim only one win, helping to defeat House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R-Va., this summer. Reps. Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Eli Crane of Arizona also fended off primary challenges after they voted to oust McCarthy. 

A McCarthy-aligned super PAC called Florida Patriots PAC spent $3.5 million on ads against Gaetz, according to the ad tracking firm AdImpact. The group ran ads referring to an ongoing Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz over allegations of drug use and sexual misconduct. Gaetz has dismissed the investigation as “frivolous.”

But in a sign that Gaetz was in a strong position heading into the primary, Florida Patriots PAC stopped spending in the race three weeks ago.

Gaetz also got a boost from former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him. Gaetz touted the endorsement on the airwaves, with one TV ad featuring audio of Trump saying Gaetz is “a very good person, and he’s a very capable man. You ever watch this guy on television? Like a machine. He’s great. He loves Florida, and he loves the country.”

McCarthy is betting his effort was not completely in vain, suggesting that it could have dinged Gaetz if he decides to run for statewide office someday. 

“I don’t think he’ll ever be able to run for governor like he wants to,” McCarthy said at last month’s Republican convention, according to The Independent .

Bridget Bowman is a deputy editor for NBC's Political Unit.

SALIDAS EN BARCO

Con el fin de disfrutar de una jornada inolvidable, es importante planificar detalladamente cada escapada y, en ese sentido, Oribay se convierte en el mejor aliado . La experiencia acumulada durante años permite a los promotores de esta propuesta ofrecer diferentes modalidades y rutas a unos precios más que asequibles . La diversión y la seguridad a bordo están garantizadas. Todo ello, de la mano de un patrón profesional y guía especializado con quien el cliente no tardará en congeniar. La buena relación entre ambos resulta crucial para que todo llegue a buen puerto. El patrón se convierte en el aliado perfecto que, en compañía de la naturaleza, asesorará en todo momento para sacar de la jornada de pesca el mayor provecho. Este guía zarpará con la mejor de sus sonrisas del puerto base, ubicado en una ciudad tan ligada al mar como es Donostia-San Sebastián. Descubre todos nuestros servicios .

SLOWFISHING

Spinning, Jigging…

Cetáceos y Aves

CULTURA MARINERA

Pesca artesanal, traineras…

Paseos en Barco, Sol y Luna

Personalizados

TE MANTENEMOS INFORMADO

Pesca de fondo en invierno, jigging con oribay, San Sebastian excursiones de pesca

Costera de la caballa, Cantábrico 2019

¿QUE OCURRE EN ORIBAY TOURS?

#oribaytours

Por favor, ve a la página de ajustes de Instagram Feed para crear un feed.

LOCALIZACIÓN

EN EL MISMO PUERTO DE SAN SEBASTIÁN

OFICINA DE TURISMO

Colaboradores:

Start typing and press Enter to search