21 days in United States Itinerary

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

You'll explore and learn at The Exploratorium and SS Jeremiah O'Brien. Alcatraz Island and Twin Peaks are good opportunities to explore the local culture. The adventure continues: kick back and relax at China Beach, take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace, and take a stroll through Union Square.

To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, you can read our San Francisco trip itinerary planner.

London, UK to San Francisco is an approximately 15-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 8 hours traveling from London to San Francisco. Traveling from London in September, expect nights in San Francisco to be about the same, around 16°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) to allow time 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. On the 12th (Wed), appreciate the extensive heritage of Cannery Row and then look for gifts at The Cheese Shop.

To find photos and tourist information, read our Carmel tour planner.

Getting from San Francisco to Carmel by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and taxi; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Carmel can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Wed) to allow time for the car ride to 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.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Thu): wander the streets of State Street and then admire the striking features of Old Mission Santa Barbara.

For maps, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara custom trip planner.

Traveling by car from Carmel to Santa Barbara takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and flight; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Santa Barbara are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) so you can drive 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.

Head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard and The Grovefor plenty of shopping. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Getty Center The Publications and Hollywood Walk of Fame. Change things up with a short trip to Montana Avenue in Santa Monica (about 36 minutes away). There's much more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, tour the pleasant surroundings at Santa Monica Beach, get to know the fascinating history of Santa Monica Pier, and get a taste of the local shopping with Third Street Promenade.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Los Angeles online itinerary creator.

Getting from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Santa Barbara in September, things will get a bit warmer in Los Angeles: highs are around 34°C and lows about 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sun) early enough to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Mon): tour the pleasant surroundings at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, tour the pleasant surroundings at Children's Pool, and then get a taste of the local shopping with Gaslamp Quarter. On the next day, see the interesting displays at San Diego Air & Space Museum and then see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum.

For maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the San Diego custom trip planner.

Traveling by car from Los Angeles to San Diego takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. While traveling from Los Angeles, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in San Diego, ranging from highs of 29°C to lows of 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Tue) so you can travel to Phoenix.

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. On the 19th (Wed), examine the collection at Musical Instrument Museum and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Camelback Mountain. On the next day, look for all kinds of wild species at Desert Botanical Garden, wander the streets of Old Town Scottsdale, and then steep yourself in history at Goldfield (Ghost Town).

To see reviews, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Phoenix sightseeing planner.

Fly from San Diego to Phoenix in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from San Diego to Phoenix, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. When traveling from San Diego in September, plan for much hotter days in Phoenix, with highs around 44°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can travel to Flagstaff.

Sitting at an elevation of 2,135 m (7,000 ft) and just a short trip from the Grand Canyon and other natural wonders, the city of Flagstaff attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Fri): steep yourself in history at Historic Downtown and Railroad District and then pause for some photo ops at Walnut Canyon National Monument.

To find more things to do, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Flagstaff vacation trip planner.

You can fly from Phoenix to Flagstaff in 1.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Phoenix in September, expect Flagstaff to be colder, temps between 27°C and 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Monument Valley.

Monument Valley is a region of the Colorado Plateau characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 1000ft above the valley floor. On the 22nd (Sat), don't miss a visit to Forrest Gump Point, trek along Wildcat Trail, and then make a trip to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

For reviews, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Monument Valley trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Flagstaff to Monument Valley in 4.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from Flagstaff in September, expect Monument Valley to be a bit warmer, temps between 31°C and 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) early enough to go by car to Page.

Originally little more than a simple camp constructed to house workers who built a nearby dam on the Colorado River, Page is now a popular stop for travelers preparing a trip to Arizona's canyon country.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): trek along Horseshoe Bend and then enjoy the sand and surf at Lone Rock Beach.

For photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Page trip builder.

You can drive from Monument Valley to Page in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from Monument Valley in September, Page is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Grand Canyon National Park.

The size, shape, and color of Grand Canyon National Park combine to leave an impression on visitors as deep as the canyon itself.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Mon): explore the stunning scenery at Grand Canyon South Rim, then look for gifts at Lookout Studio, then see the interesting displays at Kolb Studio, and finally add some entertainment to your itinerary with Hopi House.

To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Grand Canyon National Park online itinerary creator.

You can do a combination of flight and taxi from Page to Grand Canyon National Park in 1.5 hours. Another option is to drive. Traveling from Page in September, you will find days in Grand Canyon National Park are little chillier (28°C), and nights are colder (7°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can travel to Las Vegas.

Nicknamed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert in the southern section of Nevada.

The Mob Museum and The Neon Museum will appeal to museum buffs. Escape the urban bustle at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Valley of Fire State Park. Change things up with a short trip to Hoover Dam in Boulder City (about 42 minutes away). There's lots more to do: shop like a local with The Strip, admire the natural beauty at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and admire the local landmark of Bellagio Fountains.

For maps, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Las Vegas trip planner.

Getting from Grand Canyon National Park to Las Vegas by combination of flight and car takes about 4.5 hours. The time zone difference when traveling from Grand Canyon National Park to Las Vegas is minus 1 hour. Expect much warmer temperatures when traveling from Grand Canyon National Park in September; daily highs in Las Vegas reach 41°C and lows reach 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.