18 days in San Francisco & San Diego Itinerary

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

Your inner history buff will appreciate Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Bridge. Head to Union Square and Ferry Building Marketplacefor plenty of shopping. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Francisco: Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (in Berkeley) and Safari West (in Santa Rosa). And it doesn't end there: take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, take a stroll through SoMa, get curious at California Academy of Sciences, and admire the majestic nature at Marin Headlands.

For more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the San Francisco road trip planning tool.

Manchester, UK to San Francisco is an approximately 16-hour flight. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from Manchester to San Francisco due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Manchester in August; daily highs in San Francisco reach 26°C and lows reach 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to 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.

Relax by the water at La Jolla Cove and Black's Beach. Let the collections at USS Midway Museum and San Diego Model Railroad Museum capture your imagination. Change things up with a short trip to Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine (about 48 minutes away). Spend the 18th (Sun) exploring the fascinating underwater world at SeaWorld San Diego. Next up on the itinerary: immerse yourself in nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, kick back and relax at Children's Pool, pause for some photo ops at Cabrillo National Monument, and have unforgettable encounters with a shark diving experience.

To see reviews, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read San Diego road trip planning site.

You can fly from San Francisco to San Diego in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from San Francisco in August, plan for a bit warmer nights in San Diego, with lows around 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) so you can travel back home.