21 days in California Itinerary

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Abbot Kinney Boulevard and El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Do your shopping at Amoeba Music and Melrose Trading Post. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Los Angeles: Santa Monica (Montana Avenue, Bergamot Station, & more). Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at Will Rogers State Beach, browse the different shops at The Grove, look for gifts at Hollywood & Highland, and explore the activities along Santa Monica Bay.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Los Angeles trip itinerary builder .

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Los Angeles is an approximately 17-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of flight and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 5 hours traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles. September in Los Angeles sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 22°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) to allow enough time 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. On the 17th (Mon), stop by The Cheese Shop, immerse yourself in nature at Asilomar State Beach, and then immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Carmel road trip planning site .

Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Los Angeles to Carmel takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight, shuttle, and bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Los Angeles in September, with highs in Carmel at 26°C and lows at 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) early enough 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.

Take a break from the city and head to Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome. Spend the 21st (Fri) exploring nature at Elizabeth Lake, Yosemite National Park. There's much more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Nature Center at Happy Isles, see the interesting displays at Yosemite Museum Gallery, don't miss a visit to Yosemite Village, and trek along Panorama Trail.

For more things to do, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Carmel to Yosemite National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Carmel in September since evenings lows in Yosemite National Park dip to 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can drive to San Francisco.

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

Get some cultural insight at Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz Island. You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at China Beach and Rockaway Beach. There's lots more to do: browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace, enjoy the sand and surf at Marshall’s Beach, take in the awesome beauty at Twin Peaks, and make a trip to Ghirardelli Square.

For photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our San Francisco trip itinerary app .

Getting from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of taxi, bus, flight, and subway. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in September, plan for somewhat warmer nights in San Francisco, with lows around 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) so you can drive to St. Helena.

The city of St.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Thu): learn about winemaking at V. Sattui Winery, learn about winemaking at Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards, then learn about winemaking at Pride Mountain Vineyards, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Safari West.

For traveler tips, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our St. Helena online travel route planner .

Drive from San Francisco to St. Helena in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and taxi; or do a combination of subway and bus. Traveling from San Francisco in September, expect nights in St. Helena to be little chillier, around 12°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 34°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) to allow 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.

Step out of the city life by going to La Jolla Cove and Black's Beach. Visit Mission Beach Park and La Jolla Shores Park for some beach relaxation. The adventure continues: look for all kinds of wild species at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, kick back and relax at Children's Pool, shop like a local with Gaslamp Quarter, and meet the residents at San Diego Zoo.

For maps, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, read our San Diego travel route planner.

Getting from St. Helena to San Diego by combination of taxi and flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus, subway, and flight; or drive. When traveling from St. Helena in September, plan for slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in San Diego: temperatures range from 30°C by day to 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.