11 days in Los Angeles & Phoenix Itinerary

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Carpinteria State Beach and Old Town Temecula. Museum-lovers will get to explore Mission San Juan Capistrano and The Getty Center. Venture out of the city with trips to Oceanside (Oceanside Pier & Dolphin & Whale Watching), Camarillo Premium Outlets (in Camarillo) and Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano (in San Juan Capistrano). And it doesn't end there: immerse yourself in nature at Crystal Cove, take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, stroll through Venice Beach and Boardwalk, and make a trip to Hollywood Walk of Fame.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Los Angeles day trip planning app .

The Route module shows you all the different ways you can get to Los Angeles. August in Los Angeles sees daily highs of 84°F and lows of 66°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to travel to Phoenix.

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. Get outdoors at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Desert Botanical Garden. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and St. Mary's Basilica. Change things up with these side-trips from Phoenix: Spas & Wellness (in Chandler) and Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West (in Scottsdale). And it doesn't end there: browse the different shops at Scottsdale Fashion Square, examine the collection at Musical Instrument Museum, get engrossed in the history at Wells Fargo History Museum, and admire the natural beauty at Japanese Friendship Garden.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Phoenix trip itinerary builder site .

Fly from Los Angeles to Phoenix in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Los Angeles to Phoenix. Expect much warmer weather when traveling from Los Angeles in August: highs in Phoenix hover around 105°F, while lows dip to 83°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.