10 days in California Itinerary

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Bolinas Beach and then browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace. On the next day, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Alcatraz Island, then take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf, and then get a taste of the local shopping with Union Square.

To see where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our San Francisco trip builder tool .

New York City to San Francisco is an approximately 9-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also fly; or drive. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to San Francisco is minus 3 hours. In October, daily temperatures in San Francisco can reach 73°F, while at night they dip to 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg is a coastal city along State Route 1 in Mendocino County, California. Kick off your visit on the 7th (Mon): enjoy the sand and surf at Seaside Beach, stroll through Pudding Creek Beach, shop like a local with Highlight Gallery, then stop by Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle's Children's Books, and finally kick back and relax at Noyo Headlands Park.

To find reviews, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Fort Bragg trip planner .

You can drive from San Francisco to Fort Bragg in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. While traveling from San Francisco, expect a bit warmer days and slightly colder nights in Fort Bragg, ranging from highs of 79°F to lows of 46°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) so you can go by car to Cambria.

Cambria is a seaside village in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California State Route 1 (Highway 1). On the 8th (Tue), step into the grandiose world of Hearst Castle, then take in the exciting artwork at artifacts gallery, then shop like a local with Ephraim Pottery West Gallery, and finally stroll through Moonstone Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: identify plant and animal life at Piedras Blancas, look for all kinds of wild species at Elephant Seal Rookery, and then take in nature's colorful creations at Cambria Nursery & Florist.

To see where to stay, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read our Cambria travel itinerary planner .

Traveling by car from Fort Bragg to Cambria takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 83°F, and evening lows to 46°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Wed) so you can go by car to Carmel.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. On the 10th (Thu), take a stroll through Ocean Avenue, stroll through Carmel River State Beach, and then admire the majestic nature at Point Lobos.

To find photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Carmel trip planning app .

You can drive from Cambria to Carmel in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi, train, and bus; or do a combination of car and bus. When traveling from Cambria in October, plan for slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in Carmel: temperatures range from 70°F by day to 52°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Yosemite National Park.

Massive granite mountains, towering waterfalls, groves of Giant Sequoia trees, and wilderness as far as the eye can see distinguish the landscape of Yosemite National Park.

On the 11th (Fri), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, then explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point, then hike along Panorama Trail, and finally admire the masterpieces at Yosemite Museum Gallery. On the 12th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Lembert Dome and then trek along Tuolumne Meadows.

To see ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Yosemite National Park journey maker app .

Traveling by car from Carmel to Yosemite National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and car; or do a combination of bus, shuttle, flight, and car. Traveling from Carmel in October, plan for cooler nights in Yosemite National Park, with lows around 28°F. On the 13th (Sun), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.