10 days in California Itinerary

Avila Beach is an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, located on San Luis Obispo Bay about 160 miles (257 km) northwest of Los Angeles, and about 200 miles south of San Francisco. Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sat): trek along Bluff Trail, then trek along Point Buchon Trail, and then race across the water with a speed boat tour.

To find ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Avila Beach trip maker app .

Fort Leonard Wood to Avila Beach is an approximately 15-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -2 hour difference. While traveling from Fort Leonard Wood, expect warmer days and a bit warmer nights in Avila Beach, ranging from highs of 68°F to lows of 45°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to San Simeon.

When you arrive in tiny San Simeon, which lies halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you can see why William Randolph Hearst chose this coastal locale for his famous hilltop castle.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Piedras Blancas, then identify plant and animal life at Elephant Seal Rookery, and then enjoy the sea views from Piedras Blancas Light Station. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon): explore the historical opulence of Hearst Castle, steep yourself in history at The Old Santa Rosa Creek Chapel, and then kick back and relax at Moonstone Beach.

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our San Simeon sightseeing app .

Drive from Avila Beach to San Simeon in an hour. Traveling from Avila Beach in February, plan for a bit cooler nights in San Simeon, with lows around 38°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can go by car to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 4th (Tue): contemplate the waterfront views at Monterey Bay, stroll through Point Lobos, and then kick back and relax at Del Monte Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Wed): enjoy the sand and surf at Carmel River State Beach, then admire the sheer force of McWay Falls, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, go to the Monterey trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from San Simeon to Monterey takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of car and bus. Traveling from San Simeon in February, Monterey is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 45°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to San Francisco.

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

Escape the urban bustle at Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods National Monument. Your inner history buff will appreciate Twin Peaks and SS Jeremiah O'Brien. There's much more to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, learn about winemaking at Press Club, examine the collection at Exploratorium, and get a taste of the local shopping with Union Square.

To find reviews, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the San Francisco road trip planning website .

You can drive from Monterey to San Francisco in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 62°F in February, and nighttime lows around 48°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can travel back home.