21 days in California Itinerary

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

Museum-lovers will get to explore California State Railroad Museum and USS Pampanito. Visit Alcatraz Island and Filbert Street Stairs for their historical value. Step out of San Francisco with an excursion to Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley--about 48 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, contemplate the long history of SS Jeremiah O'Brien, take a stroll through Union Square, and take in the pleasant sights at Fisherman's Wharf.

To find other places to visit, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the San Francisco trip builder app.

Berlin, Germany to San Francisco is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Berlin to San Francisco is minus 9 hours. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in August, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to drive 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 Point Lobos and Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard. Venture out of the city with trips to Big Sur (Pfeiffer State Beach, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, &more). There's much more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Carmel River State Beach, contemplate the waterfront views at Monterey Bay, take a memorable tour with Tours, and view the masterpieces at Steven Whyte's Sculpture Studio and Gallery.

To see reviews, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Carmel day trip planning website.

Drive from San Francisco to Carmel in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In August in Carmel, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 16°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to 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.

On the 29th (Sat), steep yourself in history at Hearst Castle, then stop by Amphora Gallery, and then identify plant and animal life at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

To find photos, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our San Simeon trip itinerary planning tool.

Drive from Carmel to San Simeon in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. Traveling from Carmel in August, you will find days in San Simeon are much hotter (40°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) so you can travel to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

With mountain peaks reaching past 4,250 m (14,000 ft) and trees stretching to over 75 m (250 ft) high, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks present nature on a grand scale.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like General Sherman Tree and Giant Forest. There's still lots to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Moro Rock Trail, take in the dramatic scenery at Roaring River Falls, explore the stunning scenery at Kings Canyon National Park, and trek along Congress Trail.

For maps, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip planner.

You can drive from San Simeon to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in 5 hours. Traveling from San Simeon in August, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is a bit warmer at night with lows of 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to travel 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove. Next up on the itinerary: admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, explore the striking landscape at Sentinel Dome, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Panorama Trail.

To find maps, reviews, and tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park online visit planner.

Drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park in 5.5 hours. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in September: highs in Yosemite National Park hover around 27°C, while lows dip to 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel 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 Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and Griffith Observatory. Discover out-of-the-way places like La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Get out of town with these interesting Los Angeles side-trips: Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). The adventure continues: take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, get in on the family fun at Universal Studios Hollywood, and get a new perspective on nature at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles trip builder tool.

Drive from Yosemite National Park to Los Angeles in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in September, plan for a bit warmer days and warmer nights in Los Angeles: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 22°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.