18 days in West Coast Itinerary

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

Explore hidden gems such as Ed Munro Seahurst Park and Snoqualmie Falls. For shopping fun, head to Pike Place Market or Elliott Bay Book Company. Step out of Seattle to go to Issaquah and see Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, which is approximately 52 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Chihuly Garden and Glass, enjoy the sand and surf at Alki Beach, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Seattle Aquarium, and admire all the interesting features of Safeco Field.

To find traveler tips, maps, photos, and tourist information, read Seattle trip planner .

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Seattle is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. Traveling from Dubai to Seattle, you'll gain 12 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Dubai in July, things will get colder in Seattle: highs are around 30°C and lows about 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to travel to Carmel.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Kids will enjoy Pfeiffer State Beach and Carmel City Beach/Carmel River Beach. Visiting Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Seventeen Mile Drive will get you outdoors. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Carmel: Big Sur (McWay Falls & Partington Cove). Next up on the itinerary: trek along Point Lobos State Reserve and look for gifts at The Cheese Shop.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Carmel road trip planner .

Getting from Seattle to Carmel by combination of flight, shuttle, and bus takes about 7.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. Traveling from Seattle in July, expect Carmel to be a bit cooler, temps between 23°C and 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 17th (Tue) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Tioga Pass and Lembert Dome. Take a break from the city and head to Taft Point and Tuolumne Meadows. There's lots more to do: explore the striking landscape at Sentinel Dome, admire the sheer force of Bridalveil Fall, trek along Panorama Trail, and make a trip to Olmsted Point.

To find ratings, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Yosemite National Park vacation builder tool .

Getting from Carmel to Yosemite National Park by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. When traveling from Carmel in July, plan for somewhat warmer days and little chillier nights in Yosemite National Park: temperatures range from 32°C by day to 8°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time to drive to San Francisco.

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

Bring the kids along to Armstrong Redwood State Reserve and Exploratorium. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Bay. Take a break from San Francisco with a short trip to Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, about 1h 30 min away. The adventure continues: head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, tee off at Lincoln Park, and take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf.

To find other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the San Francisco journey maker tool .

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of taxi, bus, flight, and subway. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in July, plan for slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in San Francisco: temperatures range from 26°C by day to 16°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.