23 days in California Itinerary
Created using Inspirock California vacation planner
Start: London
Fly
1
Los Angeles
— 5 nights
Drive
2
Santa Barbara
— 2 nights
Drive
3
San Simeon
— 1 night
Drive
4
Big Sur
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Carmel
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Santa Cruz
— 1 night
Drive
7
Yosemite National Park
— 3 nights
Drive
8
San Francisco
— 3 nights
Fly
End: London
Sat, Jul 29 - Sun, Aug 20
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Los Angeles — 5 nights
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City of Angels
Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.Kids will enjoy Disneyland Park and Santa Monica Pier. Take a break from Los Angeles with a short trip to Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, about 38 minutes away. Pack the 29th (Sat) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. The adventure continues: see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory, enjoy the sand and surf at Santa Monica Bay, examine the collection at The Getty Center, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Venice Beach and Boardwalk.
To see other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, use the Los Angeles itinerary builder app.
London, UK to Los Angeles is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is usually a -8 hour difference. Traveling from London in July, things will get a bit warmer in Los Angeles: highs are around 33°C and lows about 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough to drive to Santa Barbara.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Santa Barbara — 2 nights
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The American Riviera
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.To find where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara online itinerary planner.
Getting from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Los Angeles in August; daily highs in Santa Barbara reach 28°C and lows reach 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sat) to allow time to drive to San Simeon.
Highlights from your trip
San Simeon — 1 night
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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.Start off your visit on the 5th (Sat): steep yourself in history at Hearst Castle, don't miss a visit to Ragged Point Overlook, then get a taste of the local shopping with Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center, and finally kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas.
For more things to do, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the San Simeon trip planner.
Drive from Santa Barbara to San Simeon in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Santa Barbara in August, expect nights in San Simeon to be slightly colder, around 15°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 40°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Big Sur.
Highlights from your trip
Big Sur — 2 nights
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Big Country of the South
A sparsely populated area with stunning views, Big Sur attracts artists and tourists traveling California’s scenic Highway 1.Bring the kids along to Partington Cove and McWay Falls. Next up on the itinerary: enjoy the sand and surf at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, get great views at Rocky Creek Bridge, immerse yourself in nature at Andrew Molera State Park, and admire the natural beauty at Hawthorne Gallery.
To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Big Sur trip planner.
Getting from San Simeon to Big Sur by car takes about 2 hours. Expect cooler weather when traveling from San Simeon in August: highs in Big Sur hover around 24°C, while lows dip to 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Carmel.
Highlights from your trip
Carmel — 2 nights
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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 9th (Wed), kick back and relax at China Cove, then immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos, then take in the waterfront at Carmel Beach Boardwalk, and finally trek along Scenic Road Walkway. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Del Mar Beach, take in the pleasant sights at The Pilgrim's Way Community Bookstore and Secret Garden, then kick back and relax at Carmel River State Beach, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Carmelite Monastery.
For photos, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Carmel holiday maker site.
Traveling by car from Big Sur to Carmel takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Thu) so you can go by car to Santa Cruz.
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For photos, where to stay, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Carmel holiday maker site.
Traveling by car from Big Sur to Carmel takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Thu) so you can go by car to Santa Cruz.
Highlights from your trip
Santa Cruz — 1 night
Santa Cruz remains synonymous with surfing, but this counterculture bastion offers plenty even if you don't plan to catch any waves.On the 11th (Fri), take an unorthodox tour of Mystery Spot, then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Manresa State Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a leisurely stroll along Santa Cruz Wharf, find something for the whole family at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, then stop by Bookshop Santa Cruz, and finally admire the majestic nature at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
To find more things to do, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Santa Cruz trip planner.
You can drive from Carmel to Santa Cruz in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 27°C in August, and nighttime lows around 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) so you can travel to Yosemite National Park.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Yosemite National Park — 3 nights
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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.Attractions like Glacier Point and Vernal Fall make great kid-friendly stops. Next up on the itinerary: get great views at Half Dome, stroll through Mariposa Grove, admire all the interesting features of Tioga Pass, and explore the striking landscape of Bridalveil Fall.
To see more things to do and more tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park online trip itinerary planner.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Santa Cruz to Yosemite National Park. Traveling from Santa Cruz in August, you will find days in Yosemite National Park are somewhat warmer (32°C), and nights are slightly colder (7°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Wed) so you can travel to San Francisco.
Highlights from your trip
San Francisco — 3 nights
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City by the Bay
San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.Attractions like Golden Gate Bridge and Exploratorium make great kid-friendly stops. Next up on the itinerary: step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island, don't miss a visit to Lombard Street, walk around Crissy Field, and admire the natural beauty at Japanese Tea Garden.
Plan trip to San Francisco with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.
Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in August, you will find days in San Francisco are little chillier (26°C), and nights are a bit warmer (17°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to fly back home.
Highlights from your trip
California travel guide
The Golden State
The country's most populous state, California includes landscapes that range from the forested northern coast to harsh southern deserts. Sandwiched right in the middle of the state is a fertile valley, home to farms, vineyards, and orchards. California's cities offer diverse attractions, from amusement parks and upscale shops to award-winning restaurants and innovative art galleries. Outside the state's big urban centers, places to visit include some of the nation's most rugged national parks, ancient forests, towering mountain peaks, and ski resorts. More than just a surfing destination famous for its beaches and winding coastal roads, California also boasts one of the world's largest economies, bolstered by the booming tech industries.
San Luis Obispo County travel guide
The Central Coast
Separated from major metropolitan areas, coastal San Luis Obispo County has preserved its rural character. It includes many small communities with a strong agricultural heritage, and preserves a sense of old California. Many visitors on holiday come here to browse the excellent farmers' markets or tour world-class vineyards. The county offers plentiful outdoor vacation ideas, with beaches, rolling hills, and the Santa Lucia mountain range nearby. You can also take side trips to the area's larger towns, with their historical downtown districts, shopping destinations, and museums.
