16 days in United States Itinerary

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

Family-friendly places like Disneyland Park and The Grove will thrill your kids. Take a break from the city and head to Venice Beach and Boardwalk and Dolphin & Whale Watching. Next up on the itinerary: stop by Bergamot Station.

To see ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles trip builder site .

Use the Route module to see travel options from your home to Los Angeles. In December in Los Angeles, expect temperatures between 69°F during the day and 49°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to go by car to San Diego.

Divided into neighborhoods with distinct characters and cultural heritages, San Diego sits just north of the Mexican border and offers visitors a blend of tourist attractions, including a lively nightlife, diverse cuisine, and a thriving musical scene.

Visiting La Jolla Cove and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve will get you outdoors. For shopping fun, head to Gaslamp Quarter or Liberty Public Market. Change things up with a short trip to Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine (about 48 minutes away). Next up on the itinerary: meet the residents at San Diego Zoo.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, use the San Diego trip itinerary builder website .

Traveling by car from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. December in San Diego sees daily highs of 68°F and lows of 51°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) 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 30th (Mon), kick back and relax at Fort Funston National Park, then head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, then buy something for everyone on your list at Ferry Building Marketplace, and finally stop by Fog City News. Here are some ideas for day two: get curious at Exploratorium, tour the pleasant surroundings at Baker Beach, and then examine the collection at Cable Car Museum.

To find reviews, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our San Francisco trip itinerary planning app .

Traveling by flight from San Diego to San Francisco takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from San Diego in December: high temperatures in San Francisco hover around 59°F and lows are around 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) to allow time to drive to South Lake Tahoe.

High in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the shore of one of America’s most scenic lakes, South Lake Tahoe captures the spirit of the outdoors and serves as a hub for tourism activities surrounding the lake.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): kick back and relax at Sand Harbor, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then immerse yourself in nature at Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

To find photos, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our South Lake Tahoe road trip tool .

Drive from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of train, flight, and bus. When traveling from San Francisco in December, plan for slightly colder days and colder nights in South Lake Tahoe: temperatures range from 45°F by day to 19°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) to allow time to travel to Las Vegas.

Nicknamed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert in the southern section of Nevada.

On the 3rd (Fri), look for all kinds of wild species at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and then get a taste of the local shopping with The Strip. On the next day, browse the different shops at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, then admire the local landmark of Fountains of Bellagio, and then take in breathtaking views at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

For ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Las Vegas trip builder app .

Do a combination of bus and flight from South Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from South Lake Tahoe in January, plan for a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in Las Vegas: temperatures range from 59°F by day to 40°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Grand Canyon National Park.

The size, shape, and color of Grand Canyon National Park combine to leave an impression on visitors as deep as the canyon itself.

Get outdoors at Nature & Wildlife Tours and Canyon Village Marketplace. There's still lots to do: take in breathtaking views at Grand Canyon South Rim, trek along Bright Angel Trail, tour the pleasant surroundings at South Kaibab Trail, and engage your brain at Yavapai Geology Museum.

For where to stay, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read Grand Canyon National Park online journey planner .

Getting from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or do a combination of flight and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park. When traveling from Las Vegas in January, plan for little chillier days and cooler nights in Grand Canyon National Park: temperatures range from 44°F by day to 15°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Death Valley National Park.

Extreme heat and dryness create extreme landscapes in Death Valley National Park.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Wed): cruise along Artists Dr, explore the activities along Badwater Basin, and then explore the striking landscape at Zabriskie Point.

To see photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Death Valley National Park online trip planner .

You can drive from Grand Canyon National Park to Death Valley National Park in 7 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. The time zone difference moving from Mountain Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Grand Canyon National Park in January, things will get somewhat warmer in Death Valley National Park: highs are around 58°F and lows about 35°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) early enough to drive back home.