13 days in United States Itinerary

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

Start off your visit on the 18th (Sat): take a stroll through Union Square and then head off the coast to Alcatraz Island. On the next day, examine the collection at Cable Car Museum, browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace, then steep yourself in history at City Lights Booksellers, then take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, and finally let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our San Francisco day trip planning website .

Washington DC to San Francisco is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also do a combination of subway, bus, and flight; or drive. Traveling from Washington DC to San Francisco, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. In May, San Francisco is little chillier than Washington DC - with highs of 69°F and lows of 53°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Mon): take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls, then see the interesting displays at Yosemite Museum Gallery, then look for all kinds of wild species at Nature Center at Happy Isles, and finally explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Tue): cruise along Tioga Pass, then get impressive views of Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Mono Lake County Park.

To see ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Yosemite National Park route planner .

You can drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of subway, flight, bus, and taxi. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from San Francisco in May since evenings lows in Yosemite National Park dip to 34°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can drive to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

With mountain peaks reaching past 4,250 m (14,000 ft) and trees stretching to over 75 m (250 ft) high, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks present nature on a grand scale.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Wed): explore the stunning scenery at Kings Canyon National Park, take in the dramatic natural features at Moro Rock, and then steep yourself in history at General Sherman Tree.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, go to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip planner .

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 5 hours. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in May, plan for a bit warmer days in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, with highs around 84°F, while nights are much hotter with lows around 55°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can go by car to Death Valley National Park.

Extreme heat and dryness create extreme landscapes in Death Valley National Park.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): cruise along Artists Dr, contemplate the waterfront views at Badwater Basin, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Zabriskie Point.

For more things to do, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Death Valley National Park sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Death Valley National Park in 7 hours. In May in Death Valley National Park, expect temperatures between 83°F during the day and 55°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) to allow time to drive to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park takes its name from the Joshua tree, a twisted, spiky tree with bayonet-shaped leaves at the top that's one of the few plant species hardy enough to thrive in the extreme climate of the Mojave Desert.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Fri): stroll through Wall Street Mill, then identify plant and animal life at Barker Dam Trail, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Wonderland of Rocks.

Discover how to plan a Joshua Tree National Park trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Death Valley National Park to Joshua Tree National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Death Valley National Park in May, Joshua Tree National Park is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 61°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) to allow time to drive 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.

On the 25th (Sat), examine the collection at The Grammy Museum, enjoy the sand and surf at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, then enjoy the sand and surf at Will Rogers State Beach, and finally see the interesting displays at The Getty Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Sun): stop by Hollywood & Highland, stop by Bergamot Station, then buy something for everyone on your list at The Grove, then see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory, and finally look for gifts at Amoeba Music.

To see more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles online trip itinerary planner .

Traveling by car from Joshua Tree National Park to Los Angeles takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of car and bus. Traveling from Joshua Tree National Park in May, expect nights in Los Angeles to be about the same, around 59°F, while days are a bit cooler, around 75°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) to allow time 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.

Get some cultural insight at USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego. You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool. Venture out of the city with trips to Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens (in Encinitas) and South Carlsbad State Beach (in Carlsbad). There's lots more to do: stroll through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, kick back and relax at La Jolla Shores Park, and meet the residents at San Diego Zoo.

To find ratings, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the San Diego tour itinerary planner.

Drive from Los Angeles to San Diego in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. Expect a daytime high around 71°F in May, and nighttime lows around 61°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 30th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.