15 days in California Itinerary

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

Your day by day itinerary now includes Union Square, Alcatraz Island and Crissy Field. There's still lots to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, don't miss a visit to Lombard Street, hunt for treasures at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, and take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf.

To see reviews, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read San Francisco trip planner.

Houston to San Francisco is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Houston to San Francisco due to the time zone difference. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Houston in December: high temperatures in San Francisco hover around 59°F and lows are around 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Thu) to allow time for the car ride to Big Sur.

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

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has been added to your itinerary. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): take in the views from Bixby Bridge and then admire the majestic nature at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

To see reviews, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Big Sur sightseeing tool.

You can drive from San Francisco to Big Sur in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 62°F in December, and nighttime lows around 43°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) so you can go by car to Santa Barbara.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a solid vacation destination with its wide beaches, renowned wineries, and some of California's finest shopping and dining options.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Shoreline Park as well as Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Start off your visit on the 26th (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Douglas Family Preserve, then wander the streets of State Street Underpass, then admire the masterpieces at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and finally walk around Shoreline Park. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the long history of Old Mission Santa Barbara, then walk around Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens, then meet the residents at Santa Barbara Zoo, and finally take a leisurely stroll along Stearns Wharf.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Big Sur to Santa Barbara takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or take a bus. December in Santa Barbara sees daily highs of 67°F and lows of 41°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sun) to allow enough 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.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and Boardwalk and Hollywood Walk of Fame. On the 28th (Mon), get to know the fascinating history of Hollywood Walk of Fame, tour the pleasant surroundings at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Santa Monica Pier.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles trip maker.

You can drive from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Santa Barbara in December, expect a bit warmer with lows of 49°F in Los Angeles. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes is a town in Mono County, California, the county's only incorporated community. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Mammoth Lakes: Bishop (Laws Railroad Museum & Keough's Hot Springs). categoryPhrases.sentence.On_the_day_spend_an_exhilarating_day_on_the_slopes_at. There's still lots to do: fly down the slopes at Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center, contemplate the waterfront views at Convict Lake, stroll through June Mountain, and indulge your thirst for a good beer at June Lake Brewing.

To see maps, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Mammoth Lakes online journey planner.

Getting from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Prepare for cooler weather when traveling from Los Angeles in December: high temperatures in Mammoth Lakes hover around 46°F and lows are around 14°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) so you can take a bus 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.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Mariposa Grove, Yosemite, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and other attractions you added. On the 1st (Fri), admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, admire the sheer force of Yosemite Falls, then explore the striking landscape at El Capitan, and finally fly down the slopes at Badger Pass Ski Area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Sat): admire the sheer force of Bridalveil Fall, then get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, and then trek along Mariposa Grove.

For photos, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read Yosemite National Park day trip planning app.

Getting from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park by bus takes about 3.5 hours. In December in Yosemite National Park, expect temperatures between 46°F during the day and 14°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sat) so you can travel to Sacramento.

The capital city of America's most economically significant state, Sacramento is an important stop for any politico.

On the 3rd (Sun), admire the landmark architecture of Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, then explore the galleries of Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Sacramento Zoo, and finally stroll through Capitol Park.

For other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Sacramento journey planner.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to Sacramento takes 3.5 hours. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in January, plan for a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in Sacramento: temperatures range from 58°F by day to 39°F at night. You will have some time to spend on the 4th (Mon) before leaving for home.