14 days in California Itinerary

The coast of Southern California might be one of the most densely populated areas of the United States, but a quick hop out to Channel Islands National Park provides a picture of coastal living in the region before human development.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Sat): Head underground at The Sea Caves and then head off the coast to Santa Cruz Island.

To see ratings, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Channel Islands National Park trip itinerary site.

Los Angeles to Channel Islands National Park is an approximately 4.5-hour travel. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Channel Islands National Park when traveling from Los Angeles in May, with lows around 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) to allow time to travel 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 21st (Sun): explore the striking landscape at Skull Rock and then take in nature's colorful creations at Cholla Cactus Garden. Here are some ideas for day two: appreciate the views at Hidden Valley Nature Trail, then take in the dramatic natural features at Keys View, and then identify plant and animal life at Barker Dam Trail.

To see reviews, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read Joshua Tree National Park travel planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Channel Islands National Park to Joshua Tree National Park. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Channel Islands National Park in May, with highs in Joshua Tree National Park at 87°F and lows at 61°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Death Valley National Park.

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

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): take in breathtaking views at Twenty Mule Team Canyon, take a memorable drive along Artist's Drive, contemplate the waterfront views at Badwater Basin, then take in the dramatic natural features at Devil's Golf Course, and finally take an in-depth tour of The Ranch at Furnace Creek. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Wed): take some stellar pictures from Dante's View, take in the awesome beauty at Funeral Mountains, take in the dramatic natural features at Zabriskie Point, then take in breathtaking views at Golden Canyon, then steep yourself in history at Harmony Borax Works, and finally don't miss a visit to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Death Valley National Park road trip app.

Drive from Joshua Tree National Park to Death Valley National Park in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and flight. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Joshua Tree National Park in May since evenings lows in Death Valley National Park dip to 55°F. On the 25th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

On the 26th (Fri), make a trip to General Sherman Tree, take a peaceful walk through Giant Forest, and then stroll through Moro Rock Trail. Keep things going the next day: take in the dramatic scenery at Roaring River Falls, admire the sheer force of Grizzly Falls, then explore the fascinating underground world of Boyden Cavern, and finally explore the wealth of natural beauty at Kings Canyon National Park.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Death Valley National Park to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect a daytime high around 84°F in May, and nighttime lows around 55°F. On the 28th (Sun), you'll 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.

On the 28th (Sun), take in the dramatic scenery at Vernal Fall.

For maps and tourist information, read Yosemite National Park trip app.

Explore your travel options from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. Traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in May, expect nights in Yosemite National Park to be colder, around 34°F, while days are little chillier, around 65°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) so you can travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

In Lassen Volcanic National Park, steaming volcanic mountains give way to alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and pristine mountain lakes.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Tue): witness a stunning natural landmark at Cold Boiling Lake, explore the activities along Manzanita Lake, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Lassen Peak , and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Boiling Springs Lake. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Wed): take some stellar pictures from Hat Creek Rim Overlook, then Head underground at Subway Cave, and then explore the activities along Lake Almanor.

To see traveler tips, reviews, maps, and tourist information, read Lassen Volcanic National Park online visit planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to Lassen Volcanic National Park. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in May, plan for a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in Lassen Volcanic National Park: temperatures range from 84°F by day to 56°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Wed) early enough to go by car to Redwood National Park.

Redwood National Park is home to a tremendous collection of the world's tallest type of tree.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Thu): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Redwood National Park. Here are some ideas for day two: hike along California Coastal Trail and then delve into the lush surroundings at Tall Trees Grove.

To see other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Redwood National Park day trip tool.

You can drive from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Redwood National Park in 5.5 hours. Expect colder weather when traveling from Lassen Volcanic National Park in May: highs in Redwood National Park hover around 60°F, while lows dip to 47°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) so you can go by car back home.