12 days in United States Itinerary

Steeped in cultural and historical heritage, Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of U.S. democracy, as it was once the meeting place for the country's Founding Fathers.

On the 3rd (Mon), admire the masterpieces at Philadelphia Museum of Art, examine the collection at Delaware State Police Museum and Education Center, take an in-depth tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, admire the masterpieces at Rodin Museum, then visit Society Hill, and finally steep yourself in history at Todd House.

To find traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Philadelphia trip website.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from your home destination to Philadelphia. In October, daily temperatures in Philadelphia can reach 69°F, while at night they dip to 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can drive to Dover.

Dover is the capital and second-largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. Start off your visit on the 4th (Tue): steep yourself in history at John Dickinson Plantation and then sample the tasty concoctions at Fordham Brewing Co..

For maps, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Dover attractions app.

Traveling by car from Philadelphia to Dover takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. In October in Dover, expect temperatures between 69°F during the day and 51°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Washington DC.

The capital of the United States, the District of Columbia contains the lion's share of the country's most treasured monuments, memorials, and public museums.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Wed): appreciate the history behind National World War II Memorial, explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Art, get a sense of history and politics at Library of Congress, then get a sense of history and politics at United States Capitol, and finally get a sense of history and politics at White House. Keep things going the next day: take an in-depth tour of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, get a new perspective on nature at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, pause for some photo ops at Washington Monument, then pause for some photo ops at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and finally appreciate the history behind Lincoln Memorial.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, read our Washington DC holiday app.

You can drive from Dover to Washington DC in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 71°F, and evening lows to 54°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) so you can catch the flight to San Francisco.

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

Start off your visit on the 7th (Fri): admire the natural beauty at Japanese Tea Garden, snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, then take in the pleasant sights at Lombard Street, and finally step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island.

To see reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our San Francisco driving holiday planner.

You can fly from Washington DC to San Francisco in 7 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of subway and train. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time is minus 3 hours. In October, daytime highs in San Francisco are 73°F, while nighttime lows are 56°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Los Angeles.

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 8th (Sat): take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, examine the collection at The Getty Center, cruise along Mulholland Drive, then stop by Amoeba Music, and finally see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory.

To see reviews, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, go to the Los Angeles trip planner.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from San Francisco in October, expect Los Angeles to be somewhat warmer, temps between 82°F and 62°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) so you can go by car to Palmdale.

Palmdale is a city in the center of northern Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California. Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sun): learn about all things military at Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, see the interesting displays at Blackbird Airpark, then stop by Antique Asylum, and finally hike along Barrell Springs Trail.

For maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Palmdale trip itinerary app.

Drive from Los Angeles to Palmdale in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Los Angeles in October, expect slightly colder with lows of 50°F in Palmdale. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can 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.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Mon): see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum and then let the kids burn off some steam at Balboa Park.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, you can read our San Diego road trip planner.

Getting from Palmdale to San Diego by car takes about 3 hours. Traveling from Palmdale in October, plan for a bit warmer nights in San Diego, with lows around 64°F. On the 11th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly to New York City.

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

New York City is known for sightseeing, museums, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the pleasant sights at Central Park, wander the streets of Times Square, contemplate the long history of 9/11 Memorial, and take in panoramic vistas at Empire State Building.

To find reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our New York City trip planner.

Getting from San Diego to New York City by flight takes about 7.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 3 hours traveling from San Diego to New York City due to the time zone difference. In October, New York City is slightly colder than San Diego - with highs of 70°F and lows of 57°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to take a train back home.