16 days in Los Angeles, Utah & New York City Itinerary

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at The Getty Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall. When in Los Angeles, make a side trip to see Disneyland Park in Anaheim, approximately Anaheim away. Pack the 20th (Thu) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's still lots to do: see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory.

For ratings, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Los Angeles trip maker website.

Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles is an approximately 18-hour flight. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -18 hour difference. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Sydney in December, with highs in Los Angeles at 24°C and lows at 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Zion National Park.

Towering cliffs of red, white, and pink Navajo sandstone, stream-carved slot canyons, and big blue sky all characterize Zion National Park.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and LaFave Gallery. Spend the 23rd (Sun) exploring nature at The Narrows. There's more to do: hike along Angel's Landing and explore the stunning scenery at Zion's Main Canyon.

To see other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Zion National Park route maker tool.

You can fly from Los Angeles to Zion National Park in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and car. The time zone difference when traveling from Los Angeles to Zion National Park is 1 hour. Traveling from Los Angeles in December, you will find days in Zion National Park are little chillier (11°C), and nights are cooler (-7°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to drive to Monument Valley.

Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1000ft above the valley floor. Start off your visit on the 25th (Tue): explore the striking landscape at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Monument Valley trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Zion National Park to Monument Valley by car takes about 5.5 hours. When traveling from Zion National Park in December, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Monument Valley: temperatures range from 5°C by day to -7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) early enough to drive to Arches National Park.

Mother Nature kept reaching for red when she painted Arches National Park's 2,000 sandstone arches, resulting in one of the country's more distinctly shaped and colored landscapes.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Wed): take in the dramatic natural features at Delicate Arch and then don't miss a visit to Partition Arch. Here are some ideas for day two: don't miss a visit to Wolfe Ranch, then admire the majestic nature at Dead Horse Point State Park, then look for gifts at Back of Beyond Books, and finally stop by Moab Rock Shop.

For other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Arches National Park journey planner.

Drive from Monument Valley to Arches National Park in 3.5 hours. Traveling from Monument Valley in December, expect slightly colder with lows of -11°C in Arches National Park. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can travel to New York City.

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

New York City is known for museums, nightlife, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the landmark architecture of Empire State Building, take in the pleasant sights at Central Park, take in panoramic vistas at Top of the Rock, and get a new perspective on nature at American Museum of Natural History.

To find reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our New York City trip builder website.

Traveling by combination of car and flight from Arches National Park to New York City takes 11 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and train. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Arches National Park to New York City due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Arches National Park in December: highs in New York City hover around 10°C, while lows dip to 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to travel back home.