22 days in New York City, San Francisco & Los Angeles Itinerary

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

Attractions like Central Park and The Metropolitan Museum of Art make great kid-friendly stops. There's still lots to do: admire the landmark architecture of Empire State Building, explore the world behind art at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), steep yourself in history at Ellis Island, and make a trip to Rockefeller Center.

To see ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the New York City online holiday planner.

Melbourne, Australia to New York City is an approximately 26-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 15 hours traveling from Melbourne to New York City. Traveling from Melbourne in November, things will get little chillier in New York City: highs are around 16°C and lows about 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to San Francisco.

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

Kids will appreciate attractions like Alcatraz Island and Exploratorium. Change things up with these side-trips from San Francisco: Lawrence Hall of Science (in Berkeley) and Oakland California Temple (in Oakland). The adventure continues: make a trip to Golden Gate Bridge, stroll around Crissy Field, wander the streets of Marina District, and visit Fisherman's Wharf.

For where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, use the San Francisco trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from New York City to San Francisco takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus, train, and subway. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to San Francisco is minus 3 hours. Traveling from New York City in November, things will get a bit warmer in San Francisco: highs are around 20°C and lows about 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Fri) early enough to fly 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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Disneyland Park and Santa Monica Farmers Market. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Los Angeles: Anaheim (Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District, &more) and Santa Monica (Third Street Promenade & Bergamot Station). There's much more to do: take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier, look and learn at Griffith Observatory, have fun and explore at Travel Town, and get to know the fascinating history of Venice Canals Walkway.

For traveler tips, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles trip planner.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from San Francisco in November, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Los Angeles: temperatures range from 28°C by day to 15°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 7th (Sat) before leaving for home.