15 days in California Itinerary

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Get in touch with nature at Point Lobos and Pfeiffer State Beach. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Carmel River State Beach and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Venture out of the city with trips to Monterey Bay (in Monterey) and Big Sur (McWay Falls & Partington Cove). There's still lots to do: stroll through Asilomar State Beach, take in the architecture and atmosphere at San Carlos Cathedral, and do a tasting at Dawn's Dream Winery.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Carmel road trip website .

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Carmel is an approximately 22.5-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also do a combination of flight, shuttle, and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 12 hours traveling from Dubai to Carmel. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Dubai in February: high temperatures in Carmel hover around 20°C and lows are around 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) early enough to drive to San Simeon.

When you arrive in tiny San Simeon, which lies halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you can see why William Randolph Hearst chose this coastal locale for his famous hilltop castle.

On the 6th (Wed), stroll through Piedras Blancas, then do a tasting at Moonstone Cellars, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Elephant Seal Rookery. On the 7th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the striking landscape at Morro Rock, then shop like a local with Cambria Nursery & Florist, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Moonstone Beach.

To find photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our San Simeon day trip planning app .

Traveling by car from Carmel to San Simeon takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Carmel in February since evenings lows in San Simeon dip to 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Thu) early enough to go by car 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Glacier Point and Tunnel View. Explore hidden gems such as Yosemite Falls and Valley View. Go for a jaunt from Yosemite National Park to Mammoth Lakes to see Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center about 1 hour away. On the 10th (Sun), spend an exhilarating day on the slopes at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. There's more to do: don't miss a visit to Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center.

To find photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Yosemite National Park day trip tool .

Traveling by car from San Simeon to Yosemite National Park takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and taxi. While traveling from San Simeon, expect slightly colder days and colder nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 10°C to lows of -9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to travel to Philo.

Philo is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California. Step out of the city life by going to Point Arena - Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument and Big River. Do some cultural sightseeing at Husch Vineyards and Barra of Mendocino Winery. Explore Philo's surroundings by going to Gualala Point Regional Park (in Gualala) and Jug Handle State Reserve (in Mendocino). There's still lots to do: identify plant and animal life at Montgomery Woods State Reserve, do a tasting at Lula Cellars, and experience rural life at Pennyroyal Farm.

To see reviews, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Philo tour planner.

You can drive from Yosemite National Park to Philo in 6 hours. Another option is to fly. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in February, expect nights in Philo to be much warmer, around 4°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Wed) so you can travel to San Francisco.

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

Start off your visit on the 14th (Thu): snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island, and then wander the streets of Fisherman's Wharf. Keep things going the next day: take in the awesome beauty at Twin Peaks and then take a stroll through SoMa.

To see where to stay, maps, photos, and more tourist information, read our San Francisco trip itinerary website .

Drive from Philo to San Francisco in 2.5 hours. Traveling from Philo in February, plan for somewhat warmer nights in San Francisco, with lows around 10°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.