16 days in California Itinerary

South Lake Tahoe is known for historic sites, beaches, and outdoors. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: indulge your senses at Wine Tours From Tahoe, tour the pleasant surroundings at Rock House Discount Ski & Snowboard Rentals, trek along Vikingsholm Hiking Trail, and indulge your thirst for a good beer at South Lake Brewing Company.

For photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the South Lake Tahoe trip maker website.

Zurich, Switzerland to South Lake Tahoe is an approximately 16-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 9 hours traveling from Zurich to South Lake Tahoe. Expect slightly colder evenings in South Lake Tahoe when traveling from Zurich in May, with lows around 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Truckee.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Tue): tee off at Tahoe Donner Golf Course, contemplate the waterfront views at Donner Lake, then take in the waterfront activity at Donner Lake Watersports & Marina, and finally don't miss a visit to Rainbow Bridge / Donner Summit Bridge. Here are some ideas for day two: relax and rejuvenate at Spa at Squaw Creek, see what you can catch with Matt Heron Fly Fishing, and then go for a stroll along the water at North Tahoe Marina.

To find more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Truckee online day trip planner.

You can drive from South Lake Tahoe to Truckee in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. May in Truckee sees daily highs of 19°C and lows of 0°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to San Francisco.

San Francisco is known for sightseeing, nature, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, get curious at Exploratorium, and see the interesting displays at de Young Museum.

To see more things to do, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read our San Francisco trip planner.

You can fly from Truckee to San Francisco in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Truckee in May, you will find days in San Francisco are somewhat warmer (24°C), and nights are warmer (13°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Palm Springs.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): appreciate the extensive heritage of Las Palmas, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at San Jacinto Mountain, and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Eureka Peak. Keep things going the next day: see the sights as you ascend with a climbing tour, then hike along Split Rock, and then explore the striking landscape at Wonderland of Rocks.

For where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Palm Springs trip itinerary builder website.

You can fly from San Francisco to Palm Springs in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. When traveling from San Francisco in May, plan for much warmer days in Palm Springs, with highs around 39°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Death Valley National Park.

Death Valley National Park is known for nature, sightseeing, and scenic drive. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take some stellar pictures from Dante's View, tour the pleasant surroundings at Gower Gulch Loop, trek along Red Pass, and take in breathtaking views at Golden Canyon.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Death Valley National Park online trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Palm Springs to Death Valley National Park in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of bus and train. In May, Death Valley National Park is a bit cooler than Palm Springs - with highs of 33°C and lows of 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) so you can catch the flight back home.