15 days in California Itinerary

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 17th (Tue), take in the dramatic scenery at Grizzly Falls.

For other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip planner.

Los Angeles to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Los Angeles in September since evenings lows in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park dip to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) to allow enough time to 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.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): admire the sheer force of Yosemite Falls, admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, 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 next day: get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, then take in the dramatic natural features at Sentinel Dome, then get great views at Valley View, and finally get great views at Washburn Point.

To see maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Yosemite National Park day trip planning website.

Getting from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park by car takes about 7 hours. Other options: drive. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in September: highs in Yosemite National Park hover around 27°C, while lows dip to 3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can travel to San Francisco.

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

Get a sense of the local culture at Alcatraz Island and California State Railroad Museum. Step out of the city life by going to Muir Woods National Monument and Lands End. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Francisco: VJB Cellars (in Kenwood) and Armstrong Redwood State Reserve (in Guerneville). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy breathtaking views from Coit Tower, immerse yourself in nature at Marin Headlands, and walk around Presidio of San Francisco.

To find where to stay, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our San Francisco trip planner.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco takes 4 hours. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in September, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 17°C in San Francisco. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Big Sur.

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

Start off your visit on the 26th (Thu): snap pictures at Big Creek Bridge and then admire the majestic nature at Limekiln State Park.

For reviews, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Big Sur trip planner.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to Big Sur takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. In September in Big Sur, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 15°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 26th (Thu): pause for some photo ops at The Cannery Row Monument. Keep things going the next day: browse the fresh offerings at Pacific Grove Certified Farmers' Market, then identify plant and animal life at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, and then see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To find maps, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Monterey trip itinerary maker tool.

Getting from Big Sur to Monterey by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Monterey can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): kick back and relax at Thousand Steps Beach, identify plant and animal life at Douglas Family Preserve, then wander the streets of State Street Underpass, and finally kick back and relax at Carpinteria State Beach. Keep things going the next day: identify plant and animal life at Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve and Rookery and then look for all kinds of wild species at Santa Monica Mountains.

To find ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara trip planner.

Drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Monterey in September, you will find days in Santa Barbara are somewhat warmer (30°C), and nights are about the same (17°C). On the 1st (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive back home.