18 days in California & Las Vegas Itinerary

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

San Francisco is known for nature, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, examine the collection at de Young Museum, and take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf.

For photos, reviews, maps, and tourist information, refer to the San Francisco day trip planning website.

Dublin, Ireland to San Francisco is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -8 hour difference. Traveling from Dublin in March, things will get somewhat warmer in San Francisco: highs are around 21°C and lows about 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can travel to San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short, is a city in the U.S. On the 14th (Sat), identify plant and animal life at Monarch Butterfly Grove, then take a leisurely stroll along Pismo Pier, then look for gifts at SLO Sweets, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Morro Rock.

To find photos, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the San Luis Obispo trip itinerary planning website.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. While traveling from San Francisco, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in San Luis Obispo, ranging from highs of 25°C to lows of 10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time 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.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara and then savor the flavors at Food & Drink. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Santa Barbara County Courthouse, take a stroll through State Street Underpass, then get to know the resident critters at Santa Barbara Zoo, and finally take a leisurely stroll along Stearns Wharf.

To see photos, ratings, and tourist information, read our Santa Barbara travel itinerary planner.

Getting from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. In March, daily temperatures in Santa Barbara can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) early enough to 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.

Explore Los Angeles' surroundings by going to Anaheim (Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, &more). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, enjoy the sand and surf at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, get in on the family fun at Universal Studios Hollywood, and see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory.

For where to stay, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Los Angeles day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Santa Barbara in March, Los Angeles is a bit warmer at night with lows of 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 21st (Sat) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Sat): go all around town with City Tours. Keep things going the next day: pause for some photo ops at Cabrillo National Monument and then meet the residents at San Diego Zoo.

To find ratings, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the San Diego trip planner.

Traveling by car from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. Traveling from Los Angeles in March, you will find days in San Diego are slightly colder (24°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) early enough 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 24th (Tue), explore the stunning scenery at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, take in nature's colorful creations at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, then make a trip to Fountains of Bellagio, and finally take in panoramic vistas at High Roller. Keep things going the next day: see the interesting displays at The Mob Museum, then shop like a local with The Strip, and then enjoy breathtaking views from Stratosphere Tower.

To find maps, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Las Vegas trip planner.

Fly from San Diego to Las Vegas in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 27°C in March, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Thu) to allow time for travel back home.