15 days in California Itinerary

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

Step out of the city life by going to Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods National Monument. Do some cultural sightseeing at Golden Gate Bridge and SS Jeremiah O'Brien. Change things up with these side-trips from San Francisco: Armstrong Redwood State Reserve (in Guerneville) and Patrick Amiot (in Sebastopol). And it doesn't end there: get curious at Exploratorium, appreciate the extensive heritage of Filbert Street Stairs, get interesting insight from Tours, and get great views at Twin Peaks.

To find traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip itinerary builder site.

Newark to San Francisco is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and subway. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 3 hours traveling from Newark to San Francisco. Traveling from Newark in June, expect San Francisco to be slightly colder, temps between 71°F and 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) to allow time 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.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop and then kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas. Keep things going the next day: step into the grandiose world of Hearst Castle, explore and take pictures at Moonstone Beach Dr, and then kick back and relax at Moonstone Beach.

For ratings, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our San Simeon day trip planning website.

You can drive from San Francisco to San Simeon in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or do a combination of bus and car. 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. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can 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. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Point Lobos and Carmel River State Beach. Visit Pfeiffer State Beach and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for some beach relaxation. Step out of Carmel with an excursion to McWay Falls in Big Sur--about 56 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, don't miss a visit to Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard, and take in the views from Bixby Bridge.

To see photos, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Carmel online trip maker.

Traveling by car from San Simeon to Carmel takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. While traveling from San Simeon, expect colder days and about the same nights in Carmel, ranging from highs of 68°F to lows of 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls. Discover out-of-the-way places like Yosemite, Tunnel View and Vernal Fall. Spend the 21st (Fri) exploring nature at Bridalveil Fall. There's lots more to do: admire all the interesting features of Tioga Pass, stroll through Tuolumne Meadows, hike along Panorama Trail, and take in the dramatic natural features at El Capitan.

For traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Yosemite National Park trip planner.

You can drive from Carmel to Yosemite National Park in 5 hours. When traveling from Carmel in June, plan for a bit warmer days in Yosemite National Park, with highs around 79°F, while nights are slightly colder with lows around 43°F. You'll set off for home on the 24th (Mon).