18 days in Irvine, Las Vegas & Santa Monica Itinerary

Irvine is a city in Orange County, California, United States. On your second day here, find something for the whole family at Universal Studios Hollywood.

For reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read Irvine day trip planning tool.

Auckland, New Zealand to Irvine is an approximately 17-hour combination of flight and car. You can also do a combination of flight and car. The time zone changes from New Zealand Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -20 hour difference. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Irvine when traveling from Auckland in December, with lows around 11°C. On the 1st (Wed), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

Step out of Las Vegas with an excursion to Hoover Dam in Boulder City--about 50 minutes away. There's much more to do: admire the local landmark of Fountains of Bellagio, take a stroll through The Strip, take in nature's colorful creations at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and make a trip to Stratosphere Tower.

To see reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Las Vegas journey site.

You can fly from Irvine to Las Vegas in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Irvine in January, things will get a bit cooler in Las Vegas: highs are around 17°C and lows about 5°C. You'll have a few hours on the 4th (Sat) to wrap things up before traveling to Santa Monica.

A famed resort town since the early 20th century, Santa Monica sits on the picturesque Santa Monica Bay, bordered on three sides by the city of Los Angeles.

Your day by day itinerary now includes Venice Beach and Boardwalk, The Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, and other attractions you added. On the 4th (Sat), examine the collection at The Getty Center. Here are some ideas for day two: don't miss a visit to Hollywood Walk of Fame, then see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory, then stroll through Santa Monica State Beach, and finally take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier.

For photos, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Santa Monica sightseeing planning website.

Traveling by car from Las Vegas to Santa Monica takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Las Vegas in January, things will get a bit warmer in Santa Monica: highs are around 22°C and lows about 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Irvine.

Venture out of the city with trips to Harbor Beach (in Oceanside), Aquarium of the Pacific (in Long Beach) and San Clemente Pier (in San Clemente). Enjoy Irvine some more: enjoy the sand and surf at Newport Beach, see the interesting displays at Mission San Juan Capistrano, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and have fun and explore at Pretend City Children's Museum.

To find maps, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Irvine holiday maker website.

Drive from Santa Monica to Irvine in an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of tram and train; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can travel back home.