17 days in California Itinerary

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

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Wine Tours & Tastings and San Francisco Bay. Get a sense of the local culture at Alcatraz Island and Fisherman's Wharf. There's lots more to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the sea views from Fort Point, contemplate the long history of SS Jeremiah O'Brien, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Grace Cathedral.

To find photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the San Francisco holiday builder tool.

Genoa, Italy to San Francisco is an approximately 17.5-hour combination of train and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Genoa to San Francisco is minus 9 hours. In August, San Francisco is little chillier than Genoa - with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Crescent City.

Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. On the 8th (Tue), tour the pleasant surroundings at Stout Grove, then immerse yourself in nature at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and then take an in-depth tour of Battery Point Lighthouse.

For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Crescent City online trip planner.

Fly from San Francisco to Crescent City in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from San Francisco in August, things will get a bit cooler in Crescent City: highs are around 20°C and lows about 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) early enough to fly to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. state of California, on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. Kick off your visit on the 9th (Wed): stroll through Pfeiffer State Beach, then admire the majestic nature at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and then immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos. On the next day, kick back and relax at Carmel River State Beach and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see reviews, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Monterey trip itinerary planning app.

You can fly from Crescent City to Monterey in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and shuttle. When traveling from Crescent City in August, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Monterey: temperatures range from 24°C by day to 16°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) 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.

Visiting Glacier Point and Bridalveil Fall will get you outdoors. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Yosemite, Tunnel View and Tioga Pass. There's still lots to do: take in the dramatic scenery at Vernal Fall, explore the striking landscape at Half Dome, look for all kinds of wild species at Nature Center at Happy Isles, and hike along Lembert Dome.

To see other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, use the Yosemite National Park tour itinerary website.

Explore your travel options from Monterey to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. When traveling from Monterey in August, plan for somewhat warmer days and a bit cooler nights in Yosemite National Park: temperatures range from 32°C by day to 7°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Mon) so you can travel to Death Valley National Park.

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

On the 15th (Tue), explore the stunning scenery at Golden Canyon, take in the dramatic natural features at Zabriskie Point, take in the dramatic natural features at Devil's Golf Course, contemplate the waterfront views at Badwater Basin, then cruise along Artist's Drive, and finally get great views at Dante's View.

To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Death Valley National Park trip planning site.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to Death Valley National Park. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in August, plan for a bit warmer days in Death Valley National Park, with highs around 43°C, while nights are much hotter with lows around 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) so you can travel 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.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Wed): see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then explore the striking landscape of Cabrillo National Monument, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Cabrillo Tide Pools. Keep things going the next day: see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum and then tour the pleasant surroundings at La Jolla Cove.

To find ratings, photos, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our San Diego online trip maker.

Getting from Death Valley National Park to San Diego by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of car and flight. While traveling from Death Valley National Park, expect colder days and about the same nights in San Diego, ranging from highs of 30°C to lows of 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can drive to Los Angeles.

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

On the 18th (Fri), take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, enjoy the sand and surf at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, then see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, then get to know the fascinating history of Hollywood Walk of Fame, and finally see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory.

To find reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read our Los Angeles day trip planner.

You can drive from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from San Diego in August, expect nights in Los Angeles to be about the same, around 22°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 34°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Fri) so you can fly back home.