12 days in California Itinerary

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

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Tue): get a new perspective on nature at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and then explore the world behind art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Keep things going the next day: kick back and relax at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, examine the collection at The Getty Center, then get curious at California Science Center, and finally see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory.

For traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles trip itinerary planner.

Athens, Greece to Los Angeles is an approximately 18-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Athens to Los Angeles is minus 10 hours. When traveling from Athens in January, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Los Angeles: temperatures range from 24°C by day to 11°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) so you can go by car to Palm Springs.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Thu): look for all kinds of wild species at Coachella Valley Preserve, shop like a local with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and then take an in-depth tour of Palm Springs Air Museum. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the ancient world of Indian Canyons, explore the stunning scenery at Tahquitz Canyon, and then explore the world behind art at Palm Springs Art Museum.

To see more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Palm Springs day trip planning site.

Getting from Los Angeles to Palm Springs by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Palm Springs can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to drive to San Diego.

Divided into neighborhoods with distinct characters and cultural heritages, San Diego sits just north of the Mexican border and offers visitors a blend of tourist attractions, including a lively nightlife, diverse cuisine, and a thriving musical scene.

On the 6th (Sat), immerse yourself in nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and then kick back and relax at La Jolla Cove. On the next day, see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum, then take a tour of Maritime Museum of San Diego, and then pause for some photo ops at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

To see more things to do, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read San Diego trip itinerary maker website.

You can drive from Palm Springs to San Diego in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sun) early enough to fly to Big Sur.

A sparsely populated area with stunning views, Big Sur attracts artists and tourists traveling California’s scenic Highway 1.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Mon): take in the dramatic scenery at McWay Falls, kick back and relax at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and then stroll through Pfeiffer State Beach.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Big Sur trip maker site.

Getting from San Diego to Big Sur by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from San Diego in January, with highs in Big Sur at 19°C and lows at 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Mon) to allow time to travel 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Parsons Memorial and Yosemite Museum Gallery. Step out of the city life by going to Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite, Tunnel View. categoryPhrases.sentence.On_the_day_spend_an_exhilarating_day_on_the_slopes_at. There's still lots to do: take in the dramatic scenery at Vernal Fall, contemplate the long history of Pioneer Yosemite History Center, and look for all kinds of wild species at McGurk Meadow.

For where to stay, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park vacation maker tool.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Big Sur to Yosemite National Park. When traveling from Big Sur in January, plan for little chillier days and colder nights in Yosemite National Park: temperatures range from 7°C by day to -12°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Thu) so you can travel to San Francisco.

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

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Fri): step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island, then take a tour of SS Jeremiah O'Brien, then steep yourself in history at Golden Gate Bridge, and finally see the interesting displays at Walt Disney Family Museum.

For reviews, photos, maps, and tourist information, read our San Francisco trip itinerary planner.

Explore your travel options from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco with the Route module. While traveling from Yosemite National Park, expect a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in San Francisco, ranging from highs of 17°C to lows of 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly back home.