19 days in California Itinerary

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

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Alcatraz Island and Cable Car Museum. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at California Academy of Sciences and Computer History Museum. Explore San Francisco's surroundings by going to Google Android Lawn Statues (in Mountain View) and Palo Alto (Stanford University & Hewlett Packard Garage). And it doesn't end there: take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, make a trip to Painted Ladies, see a show at Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, and pause for some photo ops at The Wave Organ.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the San Francisco road trip planner .

Porto Alegre, Brazil to San Francisco is an approximately 20.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. You'll gain 5 hours traveling from Porto Alegre to San Francisco due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Porto Alegre in December, things will get cooler in San Francisco: highs are around 17°C and lows about 8°C. On the 26th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Half Moon Bay.

Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, United States. Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): stroll through Half Moon Bay State Beach and then see the interesting displays at Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia.

Planning Half Moon Bay trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

Getting from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay by car takes about an hour. Other options: do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Half Moon Bay are 17°C, while nighttime lows are 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. Take the guesswork out of planning a Monterey vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Half Moon Bay to Monterey takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and shuttle; or take a bus. In December in Monterey, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Fri) to allow time for the car ride 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. On the 25th (Wed), kick back and relax at Point Lobos and then do a tasting at Joullian Vineyards & Winery.

To see reviews, maps, photos, and other tourist information, read our Carmel online driving holiday planner .

Carmel is just a short distance from Monterey. Expect a daytime high around 19°C in December, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Wed) so you can go by car to San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short, is a city in the U.S. To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the San Luis Obispo trip planner .

You can drive from Carmel to San Luis Obispo in 3 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In December, daily temperatures in San Luis Obispo can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 6°C. You will have some time to spend on the 28th (Sat) before leaving for 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.

On the 26th (Thu), wander the streets of State Street Underpass.

For other places to visit, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara online attractions planner .

Traveling by car from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Thu) 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.

Take a break from the city and head to La Jolla Cove and Coronado Island. Do some cultural sightseeing at USS Midway Museum and Old Point Loma Lighthouse. You'll find plenty of places to visit near San Diego: Carlsbad (LEGOLAND California & Carlsbad Premium Outlets). There's lots more to do: admire nature's wide array of creatures at San Diego Zoo, see the interesting displays at San Diego Air & Space Museum, walk around Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, and pause for some photo ops at The Unconditional Surrender.

To see where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our San Diego online trip maker .

Getting from Santa Barbara to San Diego by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and flight; or fly. Traveling from Santa Barbara in December, San Diego is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Anaheim.

Anaheim's major attractions are its world-famous Disney entertainment complex, sports teams, and convention center.

On your second day here, make an unforgettable trip to Disneyland Park and then make an unforgettable trip to Downtown Disney.

To find photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Anaheim holiday maker website .

You can drive from San Diego to Anaheim in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. December in Anaheim sees daily highs of 25°C and lows of 9°C at night. You'll have a few hours on the 3rd (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park takes its name from the Joshua tree, a twisted, spiky tree with bayonet-shaped leaves at the top that's one of the few plant species hardy enough to thrive in the extreme climate of the Mojave Desert.

On the 3rd (Fri), take in nature's colorful creations at Cholla Cactus Garden, then stroll through Split Rock, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Keys View.

For maps, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Joshua Tree National Park trip maker .

You can drive from Anaheim to Joshua Tree National Park in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus, flight, and car. Traveling from Anaheim in January, things will get a bit cooler in Joshua Tree National Park: highs are around 19°C and lows about 5°C. On the 4th (Sat), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off 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.

Appreciate the collections at The Broad and Petersen Automotive Museum. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at California Science Center and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Pack the 6th (Mon) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's lots more to do: immerse yourself in nature at Santa Monica State Beach, enjoy breathtaking views from OUE Skyspace LA, stop by Hollywood & Highland, and explore the world behind art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

For where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Los Angeles online travel planner .

Drive from Joshua Tree National Park to Los Angeles in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of car and bus. Traveling from Joshua Tree National Park in January, things will get somewhat warmer in Los Angeles: highs are around 24°C and lows about 11°C. You'll have a few hours on the 8th (Wed) to wrap things up before traveling home.