17 days in California Itinerary

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

On the 3rd (Thu), step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island and then explore the activities along San Francisco Bay. On the next day, stroll around Golden Gate Park, then take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, and then don't miss a visit to Ferry Building Marketplace.

For reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the San Francisco online day trip planner.

If you are flying in from United Kingdom, the closest major aiports are San Francisco International Airport, Metropolitan Oakland International Airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and Travis Air Force Base. October in San Francisco sees daily highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Glacier Point and Lembert Dome. There's much more to do: take in the dramatic natural features at El Capitan, take some stellar pictures from Yosemite, Tunnel View, don't miss a visit to Olmsted Point, and hike along Mariposa Grove.

For ratings, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Yosemite National Park route planning website.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park takes 4 hours. Traveling from San Francisco in October, you will find days in Yosemite National Park are a bit cooler (22°C), and nights are colder (-2°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Point Lobos and Monterey Bay. Get out of town with these interesting Monterey side-trips: Big Sur (Bixby Bridge, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, &more). There's still lots to do: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, enjoy the sand and surf at Carmel River State Beach, and stop by Monterey's Tasty Olive Bar.

Before you visit Monterey, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to Monterey takes 5 hours. Plan for much hotter nights when traveling from Yosemite National Park in October since evenings lows in Monterey dip to 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Fri) so you can drive 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.

On the 12th (Sat), step into the grandiose world of Hearst Castle, then cruise along Moonstone Beach Dr, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Moonstone Beach. Here are some ideas for day two: take in nature's colorful creations at Cambria Nursery and Florist, enjoy the sand and surf at Piedras Blancas, then get great views at Ragged Point Overlook, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the San Simeon journey builder tool.

You can drive from Monterey to San Simeon in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and car. When traveling from Monterey in October, plan for a bit warmer days in San Simeon, with highs around 33°C, while nights are a bit cooler with lows around 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Sun) early enough to go by car 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 14th (Mon): awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 15th (Tue): admire the landmark architecture of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, don't miss a visit to Old Mission Santa Barbara, then enjoy the sand and surf at Thousand Steps Beach, and finally take in the waterfront at Stearns Wharf.

To find maps, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara online tour itinerary planner.

Getting from San Simeon to Santa Barbara by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from San Simeon in October, you will find days in Santa Barbara are slightly colder (29°C), and nights are a bit warmer (13°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to drive to Anaheim.

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

Start off your visit on the 16th (Wed): find something for the whole family at Disneyland Park.

To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Anaheim day trip site.

Traveling by car from Santa Barbara to Anaheim takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. Traveling from Santa Barbara in October, things will get a bit warmer in Anaheim: highs are around 34°C and lows about 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Death Valley National Park.

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

On the 17th (Thu), explore the activities along Badwater Basin and then take a memorable drive along Artists Dr. Keep things going the next day: explore the striking landscape at Zabriskie Point, then take some stellar pictures from Dante's View, and then make a trip to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

For where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Death Valley National Park trip website.

Drive from Anaheim to Death Valley National Park in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Anaheim in October: high temperatures in Death Valley National Park hover around 30°C and lows are around 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Fri) so you can travel back home.