15 days in California Itinerary

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

On the 18th (Tue), look for gifts at Amoeba Music. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get a taste of the local shopping with The Grove, hunt for treasures at Santa Monica Farmers Market, then shop like a local with Montana Avenue, and finally get a taste of the local shopping with Third Street Promenade.

To find more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Los Angeles trip builder app.

York, UK to Los Angeles is an approximately 15.5-hour combination of train and flight. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from York to Los Angeles due to the time zone difference. While traveling from York, expect much hotter days and a bit warmer nights in Los Angeles, ranging from highs of 34°C to lows of 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car 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 21st (Fri): stop by Sebastian General Store and then look for all kinds of wild species at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

For other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, go to the San Simeon trip tool.

You can drive from Los Angeles to San Simeon in 4.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of train and taxi. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Los Angeles in September since evenings lows in San Simeon dip to 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) to allow enough time to drive 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. On the 23rd (Sun), enjoy the sand and surf at Carmel River State Beach, stop by The Cheese Shop, and then immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos. On the 24th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the dramatic scenery at McWay Falls, kick back and relax at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Partington Cove, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Pfeiffer State Beach.

To see maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Carmel trip planner.

You can drive from San Simeon to Carmel in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. When traveling from San Simeon in September, plan for little chillier days in Carmel, with highs around 26°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 15°C. You'll set off for Yosemite National Park on the 25th (Tue).

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 off the beaten path and head to Yosemite, Tunnel View and Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. Get outdoors at El Capitan and Olmsted Point. There's much more to do: stroll through Tuolumne Meadows, take in the dramatic natural features at Sentinel Dome, and cruise along Tioga Pass.

For other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, go to the Yosemite National Park trip maker site.

Drive from Carmel to Yosemite National Park in 5 hours. Traveling from Carmel in September, expect little chillier with lows of 3°C in Yosemite National Park. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) so you can travel to San Francisco.

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

Head to Ferry Building Marketplace and Molinari Delicatessenfor plenty of shopping. Visiting Alcatraz Island and Lincoln Park will get you outdoors. There's still lots to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the sand and surf at China Beach, contemplate the long history of City Lights Booksellers, and take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf.

For maps, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our San Francisco road trip tool.

You can drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco in 4 hours. Expect a bit warmer evenings in San Francisco when traveling from Yosemite National Park in September, with lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) early enough to travel back home.