17 days in California Itinerary

Anaheim's major attractions are its world-famous Disney entertainment complex, sports teams, and convention center.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Thu): make an unforgettable trip to Disneyland Park.

For other places to visit and tourist information, use the Anaheim itinerary planner.

Johannesburg, South Africa to Anaheim is an approximately 28-hour flight. The time zone changes from South Africa Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -10 hour difference. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Johannesburg in May, with highs in Anaheim at 30°C and lows at 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) early enough to drive to Santa Barbara.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a solid vacation destination with its wide beaches, renowned wineries, and some of California's finest shopping and dining options.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Fri): awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the long history of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, then steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Santa Barbara Zoo, and finally take in the waterfront at Stearns Wharf.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara online trip planner.

You can drive from Anaheim to Santa Barbara in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or fly. Traveling from Anaheim in May, things will get slightly colder in Santa Barbara: highs are around 25°C and lows about 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) early enough to 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.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Hearst Castle, take a memorable drive along Moonstone Beach Dr, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Moonstone Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: look for all kinds of wild species at Piedras Blancas, don't miss a visit to Ragged Point Overlook, then identify plant and animal life at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop, and finally learn about winemaking at Hearst Ranch Winery.

For photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the San Simeon trip planner.

Traveling by car from Santa Barbara to San Simeon takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Santa Barbara in May, expect nights in San Simeon to be about the same, around 10°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 32°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) 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 21st (Tue), don't miss a visit to Fairy Tale Cottages of Hugh Comstock, kick back and relax at Carmel River State Beach, then immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos, and finally take in the views from Bixby Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed): identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.

To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Carmel tour planner.

You can drive from San Simeon to Carmel in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. While traveling from San Simeon, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Carmel, ranging from highs of 21°C to lows of 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can drive to San Francisco.

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

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, take in the pleasant sights at Fisherman's Wharf, and then snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge. On the next day, wander the streets of SoMa, then stroll around Golden Gate Park, and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Filbert Street Stairs.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the San Francisco attractions planner.

Getting from Carmel to San Francisco by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to travel to Yosemite National Park.

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.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Sat): take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls, take some stellar pictures from Yosemite, Tunnel View, then take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point, and finally don't miss a visit to Olmsted Point. On the 26th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get great views at Washburn Point, admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, then stroll through Nevada Falls Loop, and finally trek along Panorama Trail.

For where to stay, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Yosemite National Park online trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park takes 4 hours. Traveling from San Francisco in May, plan for little chillier nights in Yosemite National Park, with lows around 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Death Valley National Park.

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

Explore hidden gems such as Dante's View and Badwater Basin. Next up on the itinerary: take in the dramatic natural features at Zabriskie Point, take some stellar pictures from Aguereberry Point, take a memorable drive along Artists Dr, and make a trip to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

To see maps, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Death Valley National Park tour site.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to Death Valley National Park takes 4.5 hours. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in May, you will find days in Death Valley National Park are somewhat warmer (33°C), and nights are much warmer (15°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.