12 days in California Itinerary

On the 17th (Wed), stroll through Venice Beach and Boardwalk and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Hollywood Walk of Fame. On the 18th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the world behind art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, then take a stroll through Rodeo Drive, and then make a trip to Hollywood Sign.

To see more things to do, reviews, photos, and tourist information, use the Los Angeles trip planner.

New York City to Los Angeles is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -3 hour difference. When traveling from New York City in May, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Los Angeles: temperatures range from 28°C by day to 17°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly to Joshua Tree National Park.

On the 19th (Fri), appreciate the views at Hidden Valley Nature Trail, take in the dramatic natural features at Keys View, explore the striking landscape at Hall of Horrors, then take in the dramatic natural features at Skull Rock, then hike along Split Rock, and finally stroll through Arch Rock Nature Trail.

For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Joshua Tree National Park travel route builder.

You can fly from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Los Angeles in May, expect nights in Joshua Tree National Park to be about the same, around 19°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 36°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Santa Barbara.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sat): steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, take in the waterfront at Stearns Wharf, get a taste of local nightlife at Grassini Family Vineyards, do a tasting at Margerum Wine Company Tasting Room, then appreciate the extensive heritage of State Street Underpass, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Cold Spring Tavern.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Santa Barbara trip planning website.

Traveling by car from Joshua Tree National Park to Santa Barbara takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In May, Santa Barbara is a bit cooler than Joshua Tree National Park - with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) so you can drive to Big Sur.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sun): take in the dramatic natural features at Jade Cove, take in the dramatic scenery at McWay Falls, then trek along Partington Cove, then enjoy the sand and surf at Pfeiffer State Beach, and finally take in the views from Bixby Bridge.

For other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Big Sur day trip planning app.

You can drive from Santa Barbara to Big Sur in 5.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. When traveling from Santa Barbara in May, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Big Sur: temperatures range from 21°C by day to 12°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) to allow time to drive to Monterey.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): admire the majestic nature at Point Lobos and then make a trip to Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard.

For photos, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Monterey online trip planner.

Getting from Big Sur to Monterey by car takes about an hour. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In May in Monterey, expect temperatures between 21°C during the day and 12°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can travel to Yosemite National Park.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): trek along Nevada Falls Loop.

To find maps, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Yosemite National Park trip itinerary maker.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Monterey to Yosemite National Park. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Monterey in May since evenings lows in Yosemite National Park dip to 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to travel to San Francisco.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, go to the San Francisco trip itinerary site.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in May, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in San Francisco, with lows of 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) early enough to go by car to St. Helena.

On the 26th (Fri), learn about winemaking at Honig Vineyard & Winery, appreciate the views at Swanson Vineyards Salon, then immerse yourself in nature at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, and finally do a tasting at Modus Operandi Cellars.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our St. Helena driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to St. Helena takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of subway and bus; or take a bus. When traveling from San Francisco in May, plan for a bit warmer days and slightly colder nights in St. Helena: temperatures range from 28°C by day to 10°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) so you can go by car to San Francisco.

To plan San Francisco vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

You can drive from St. Helena to San Francisco in 1.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and subway; or take a bus. Traveling from St. Helena in May, expect nights in San Francisco to be about the same, around 13°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 24°C. You'll set off for home on the 27th (Sat).