15 days in California Itinerary

Created using Inspirock California trip maker
Make it your trip
Drive
1
San Jose
— 1 night
Drive
2
Cambria
— 1 night
Drive
3
Santa Monica
— 1 night
Drive
4
Cabazon
— 1 night
Drive
5
Death Valley National Park
— 1 night
Drive
6
Mammoth Lakes
— 2 nights
Bus
7
Yosemite National Park
— 3 nights
Drive
8
Calistoga
— 2 nights
Drive
9
San Francisco
— 2 nights

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San Jose — 1 night

Capital of Silicon Valley

The metropolitan center of Silicon Valley, San Jose considers itself a global city.
To find more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read our San Jose day trip planning tool.

San Francisco to San Jose is an approximately 1-hour car ride. You can also take a bus; or take a subway. Expect a daytime high around 29°C in October, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Sat) to allow time for the car ride to Cambria.
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Parks · Outdoors · Tours · Museums

Cambria — 1 night

Cambria is a seaside village in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California State Route 1 (Highway 1). To see traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Cambria road trip app.

Getting from San Jose to Cambria by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of train and taxi. When traveling from San Jose in October, plan for somewhat warmer days in Cambria, with highs around 33°C, while nights are a bit cooler with lows around 9°C. You'll have a few hours on the 8th (Sun) to wrap things up before traveling to Santa Monica.
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Parks · Outdoors · Shopping · Nature

Santa Monica — 1 night

Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land

A famed resort town since the early 20th century, Santa Monica sits on the picturesque Santa Monica Bay, bordered on three sides by the city of Los Angeles.
To find traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Santa Monica trip website.

Traveling by flight from Cambria to Santa Monica takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. When traveling from Cambria in October, plan for slightly colder days in Santa Monica, with highs around 29°C, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can go by car to Cabazon.
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Parks · Outdoors · Tours · Nightlife

Cabazon — 1 night

Cabazon is a census-designated place (CDP) in Riverside County, California, United States. To see ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Cabazon online day trip planner.

Getting from Santa Monica to Cabazon by car takes about 2 hours. When traveling from Santa Monica in October, plan for a bit warmer days in Cabazon, with highs around 39°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Death Valley National Park.
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Shopping · Wildlife · Parks · Fun & Games

Death Valley National Park — 1 night

Hottest, Driest, Lowest

Extreme heat and dryness create extreme landscapes in Death Valley National Park.
Kick off your visit on the 10th (Tue): contemplate the waterfront views at Badwater Basin, explore and take pictures at Artist's Drive, then explore the striking landscape at Zabriskie Point, and finally take in breathtaking views at Twenty Mule Team Canyon.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Death Valley National Park journey planning site.

Drive from Cabazon to Death Valley National Park in 4.5 hours. Traveling from Cabazon in October, expect Death Valley National Park to be little chillier, temps between 30°C and 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can take a bus to Mammoth Lakes.
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Nature · Parks · Outdoors · Scenic Drive

Mammoth Lakes — 2 nights

Mammoth Lakes is a town in Mono County, California, the county's only incorporated community. Mono Lake Vista Point has been added to your itinerary. Here are some ideas for day two: get great views at Mono Lake Vista Point and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Mary.

To see maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Mammoth Lakes travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Death Valley National Park to Mammoth Lakes takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. When traveling from Death Valley National Park in October, plan for little chillier days in Mammoth Lakes, with highs around 22°C, while nights are much colder with lows around -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to take a bus to Yosemite National Park.
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Nature · Parks
Side Trip

Yosemite National Park — 3 nights

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.
Yosemite National Park is known for nature, sightseeing, and trails. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point, take some stellar pictures from Washburn Point, admire the sheer force of Yosemite Falls, and cruise along Tioga Pass.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Yosemite National Park using our trip planner.

Traveling by bus from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In October, daytime highs in Yosemite National Park are 22°C, while nighttime lows are -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Calistoga.
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Parks · Nature · Outdoors · Trails

Calistoga — 2 nights

Indulgence is the name of the game in Calistoga.
Make your Calistoga itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to Calistoga. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Yosemite National Park in October, with highs in Calistoga at 30°C and lows at 9°C. On the 18th (Wed), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to San Francisco.
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Wineries · Tours · Parks · Outdoors

San Francisco — 2 nights

City by the Bay

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.
San Francisco is known for sightseeing, nature, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: stroll through Alcatraz Island, take in nature's colorful creations at Japanese Tea Garden, take some stellar pictures from Twin Peaks, and take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf.

To find maps, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the San Francisco tour planner.

Getting from Calistoga to San Francisco by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. Traveling from Calistoga in October, expect nights in San Francisco to be somewhat warmer, around 15°C, while days are slightly colder, around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.
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Parks · Neighborhoods · Museums · Childrens Museums

California travel guide

4.2
Specialty Museums · Wineries & Vineyards · Beaches
The Golden State
The country's most populous state, California includes landscapes that range from the forested northern coast to harsh southern deserts. Sandwiched right in the middle of the state is a fertile valley, home to farms, vineyards, and orchards. California's cities offer diverse attractions, from amusement parks and upscale shops to award-winning restaurants and innovative art galleries. Outside the state's big urban centers, places to visit include some of the nation's most rugged national parks, ancient forests, towering mountain peaks, and ski resorts. More than just a surfing destination famous for its beaches and winding coastal roads, California also boasts one of the world's largest economies, bolstered by the booming tech industries.
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San Luis Obispo County travel guide

4.1
Wineries & Vineyards · Castles · Gift & Specialty Shops
The Central Coast
Separated from major metropolitan areas, coastal San Luis Obispo County has preserved its rural character. It includes many small communities with a strong agricultural heritage, and preserves a sense of old California. Many visitors on holiday come here to browse the excellent farmers' markets or tour world-class vineyards. The county offers plentiful outdoor vacation ideas, with beaches, rolling hills, and the Santa Lucia mountain range nearby. You can also take side trips to the area's larger towns, with their historical downtown districts, shopping destinations, and museums.
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Napa Valley travel guide

4.3
Wineries & Vineyards · Wine Tours & Tastings · Castles
Thanks to a Mediterranean climate and idyllic location in Northern California, Napa Valley is one of the top wine producing regions in the world. This, coupled with the area's breathtaking scenery, abundance of quaint B&Bs, and exquisite local gastronomy, makes Napa Valley one of the country's most popular spots for peaceful weekends and romantic getaways. While wine tasting and vineyard tours are the traditional things to do, the region offers a variety of other attractions, including hot air balloon rides, spa treatments, and trips aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.
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