15 days in California Itinerary

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

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks. Take a break from the city and head to Armstrong Redwood State Reserve and Fishing Charters & Tours. Explore San Francisco's surroundings by going to Patrick Amiot (in Sebastopol) and Muir Woods National Monument (in Mill Valley). The adventure continues: head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, step aboard SS Jeremiah O'Brien, wander the streets of SoMa, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Filbert Steps.

To find maps, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read San Francisco tour itinerary tool .

Newark to San Francisco is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Traveling from Newark to San Francisco, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Newark in June; daily highs in San Francisco reach 71°F and lows reach 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) 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 15th (Sat), look for all kinds of wild species at Elephant Seal Rookery and then kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Sun): step into the grandiose world of Hearst Castle, cruise along Moonstone Beach Dr, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Moonstone Beach.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for San Simeon using our trip planner.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to San Simeon takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and bus. When traveling from San Francisco in June, plan for warmer days and about the same nights in San Simeon: temperatures range from 93°F by day to 53°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Carmel.

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. Visit Pfeiffer State Beach and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for some beach relaxation. Visiting Carmel River State Beach and Point Lobos will get you outdoors. When in Carmel, make a side trip to see McWay Falls in Big Sur, approximately 56 minutes away. Spend the 18th (Tue) observing fascinating marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour. There's more to do: get to know the fascinating history of Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard and snap pictures at Bixby Bridge.

To see traveler tips, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, use the Carmel itinerary planner.

Getting from San Simeon to Carmel by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and bus. Traveling from San Simeon in June, expect nights in Carmel to be about the same, around 53°F, while days are colder, around 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Taft Point and El Capitan. Take a break from the city and head to Tioga Pass and Tunnel View. Spend the 21st (Fri) exploring nature at Bridalveil Fall. And it doesn't end there: admire the sheer force of Yosemite Falls, trek along Panorama Trail, tour the pleasant surroundings at Tuolumne Meadows, and take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point.

To find reviews, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, read Yosemite National Park holiday app .

Getting from Carmel to Yosemite National Park by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and car; or do a combination of shuttle, flight, and car. While traveling from Carmel, expect somewhat warmer days and slightly colder nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 79°F to lows of 43°F. You'll set off for home on the 24th (Mon).