19 days in California Itinerary

Indulgence is the name of the game in Calistoga.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Mon): trek along Howarth Park, then identify plant and animal life at Safari West, and then step into the grandiose world of Castello di Amorosa. Keep things going the next day: shop like a local with Sebastopol Center for the Arts, immerse yourself in nature at Armstrong Redwood State Reserve, and then learn about winemaking at Cast Wines.

For more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Calistoga trip planning website .

Mumbai, India to Calistoga is an approximately 29-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Mumbai to Calistoga is minus 13 hours. In November, Calistoga is colder than Mumbai - with highs of 22°C and lows of 5°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Tue) early enough to go by car 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. Explore hidden gems such as Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Partington Cove. Hawthorne Gallery and Venture Gallery will appeal to museum buffs. Venture out of the city with trips to Pfeiffer State Beach (in Big Sur) and Monterey Bay (in Monterey). There's still lots to do: immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos, take in the architecture and atmosphere at San Carlos Cathedral, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Carmel River State Beach.

To see where to stay, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Carmel road trip planning app .

Traveling by car from Calistoga to Carmel takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, flight, shuttle, and bus; or do a combination of taxi, flight, and bus. Traveling from Calistoga in November, Carmel is a bit warmer at night with lows of 9°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can go by car to San Simeon.

When you arrive in tiny San Simeon, which lies halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you can see why William Randolph Hearst chose this coastal locale for his famous hilltop castle.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Sat): kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas, then identify plant and animal life at Elephant Seal Rookery, and then take in the exciting artwork at artifacts gallery. On the next day, stroll through Moonstone Beach, take in the dramatic natural features at Morro Rock, and then take in the exciting artwork at Fiona Bleu Gallery.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our San Simeon vacation planner .

You can drive from Carmel to San Simeon in 3 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and car. Expect slightly colder evenings in San Simeon when traveling from Carmel in November, with lows around 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to drive 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 Olmsted Point and Nature Center at Happy Isles will get you outdoors. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Bodie State Historic Park and Mono Lake County Park. Spend the 22nd (Thu) exploring nature at Elizabeth Lake, Yosemite National Park. Next up on the itinerary: explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point, trek along Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls, and take some stellar pictures from Tunnel View.

To find more things to do, reviews, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park route maker site .

You can drive from San Simeon to Yosemite National Park in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and taxi. While traveling from San Simeon, expect a bit cooler days and much colder nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 14°C to lows of -8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) to allow time to travel to Independence.

Independence is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California. On the 23rd (Fri), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Manzanar National Historic Site. Here are some ideas for day two: steep yourself in history at California Historical Landmark 507, examine the collection at Museum of Western Film History, then hike along Horseshoe Meadow Trail, and finally see a world frozen in time at Cerro Gordo Mines.

To see ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Independence trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to Independence takes 3 hours. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Yosemite National Park in November; daily highs in Independence reach 21°C and lows reach -2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) so you can travel to Death Valley National Park.

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

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Fall Canyon and Wildrose Peak Trail. Get in touch with nature at Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin. There's still lots to do: contemplate the long history of Eureka Mine, don't miss a visit to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and get great views at Dante's View.

To see traveler tips, photos, maps, and more tourist information, use the Death Valley National Park road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Independence to Death Valley National Park takes 2 hours. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Independence in November since evenings lows in Death Valley National Park dip to 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel back home.