15 days in Western US Itinerary

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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Glacier Point and YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours. And it doesn't end there: trek along Tuolumne Meadows, tour the pleasant surroundings at Nevada Falls Loop, explore the striking landscape at Taft Point, and take a memorable drive along Tioga Pass.

For where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park online driving holiday planner.

Des Moines to Yosemite National Park is an approximately 10-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Des Moines to Yosemite National Park. Expect colder evenings in Yosemite National Park when traveling from Des Moines in July, with lows around 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) to allow time to travel to San Francisco.

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

On the 29th (Thu), snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, then take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf, and then head off the coast to Alcatraz Island. Keep things going the next day: go for a walk through Lombard Street, then examine the collection at Exploratorium, and then buy something for everyone on your list at Ferry Building Marketplace.

For other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, use the San Francisco trip builder site.

You can drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco in 4 hours. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in July, plan for slightly colder days in San Francisco, with highs around 73°F, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 57°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough to travel to Glacier National Park.

The glaciers from which Glacier National Park takes its name mostly dissipated eons ago, but they left behind a scoured landscape of high and steep mountain peaks, sparkling lakes, lush alpine meadows, and thick forests.

Glacier National Park is known for nature, scenic drive, and trails. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: hike along Iceberg Lake Trail, take a memorable drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road, contemplate the waterfront views at Iceberg Lake, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Swiftcurrent Falls.

To see photos, traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Glacier National Park trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Glacier National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and car. The time zone difference when traveling from San Francisco to Glacier National Park is 1 hour. Traveling from San Francisco in July, you will find days in Glacier National Park are a bit warmer (85°F), and nights are slightly colder (49°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can drive to Yellowstone National Park.

An exceptionally diverse landscape and varied wildlife have made Yellowstone National Park one of America's most popular parks.

Family-friendly places like Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake will thrill your kids. There's lots more to do: take in the natural beauty of Grand Prismatic Spring, get outside with Morning Glory Pool, take a pleasant ride with Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters, and take in the awesome beauty at Mount Washburn.

To see photos, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Yellowstone National Park travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park in 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car, bus, and taxi. In August, Yellowstone National Park is a bit cooler than Glacier National Park - with highs of 70°F and lows of 38°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.