23 days in California Itinerary

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 22nd (Sat): kick back and relax at La Jolla Cove. Here are some ideas for day two: immerse yourself in nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and then get a taste of the local shopping with Gaslamp Quarter.

For ratings and tourist information, use the San Diego trip planner.

Newark to San Diego is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Traveling from Newark to San Diego, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Newark in December, plan for much warmer days in San Diego, with highs around 68°F, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 51°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can go by car to Santa Monica.

Anaheim's major attractions are its world-famous Disney entertainment complex, sports teams, and convention center.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Downtown Disney as well as Disneyland Park. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Mon): make an unforgettable trip to Disneyland Park and then make a trip to Downtown Disney. On your second day here, make an unforgettable trip to Disney California Adventure Park.

To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Anaheim trip builder .

Traveling by car from San Diego to Anaheim takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Anaheim can reach 71°F, while at night they dip to 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to drive to Santa Monica.

A famed resort town since the early 20th century, Santa Monica sits on the picturesque Santa Monica Bay, bordered on three sides by the city of Los Angeles.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): make a trip to Santa Monica Pier, then immerse yourself in nature at Santa Monica State Beach, and then get a taste of the local shopping with Third Street Promenade. On your second day here, explore the striking landscape of Santa Monica Mountains, shop like a local with Two Rodeo Drive, and then don't miss a visit to Rodeo Drive.

For where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Santa Monica trip itinerary builder .

Getting from Anaheim to Santa Monica by car takes about an hour. Other options: do a combination of train and bus; or do a combination of train and tram. Expect a daytime high around 67°F in December, and nighttime lows around 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) to allow time to 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.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Venice Beach and Boardwalk. On the 28th (Fri), appreciate the extensive heritage of Hollywood Walk of Fame, get a new perspective on nature at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, browse the different shops at The Grove, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and finally kick back and relax at Venice Beach and Boardwalk. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the activities along Santa Monica Bay, then get to know the fascinating history of Venice Canals Walkway, then look for all kinds of wild species at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, and finally stop by Hollywood & Highland.

To find more things to do, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Los Angeles trip site .

Los Angeles is just a stone's throw from Santa Monica. In December, plan for daily highs up to 69°F, and evening lows to 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) 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.

Visiting Cathedral Beach Picnic Area and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will get you outdoors. On the 1st (Tue), spend an exhilarating day on the slopes at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. Next up on the itinerary: explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point, explore the world behind art at Yosemite Museum Gallery, get answers to all your questions at Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center, and make a trip to Olmsted Point.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park trip planner .

You can do a combination of flight and car from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi. In December, Yosemite National Park is much colder than Los Angeles - with highs of 46°F and lows of 14°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to go by car to Pacific Grove.

Pacific Grove is a coastal city in Monterey County, California in the United States. Start off your visit on the 2nd (Wed): identify plant and animal life at Point Lobos, stop by The Cheese Shop, and then contemplate the long history of Cannery Row.

For ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Pacific Grove trip itinerary website .

Drive from Yosemite National Park to Pacific Grove in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and shuttle. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in January, plan for a bit warmer days and much warmer nights in Pacific Grove: temperatures range from 62°F by day to 44°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to drive to San Francisco.

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

You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at Fort Funston National Park and Marshall’s Beach. Head to Ferry Building Marketplace and City Lights Booksellersfor plenty of shopping. Next up on the itinerary: head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, take a stroll through Union Square, take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Twin Peaks.

To see traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip planner .

You can drive from Pacific Grove to San Francisco in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and flight; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in San Francisco are 59°F, while nighttime lows are 46°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Sun) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Mt. Whitney as well as Kings Canyon National Park. Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sun): trek along Mt. Whitney and then explore the stunning scenery at Kings Canyon National Park. On the next day, delve into the lush surroundings at Grant Grove, then take a memorable drive along Generals Hwy, and then stroll through Moro Rock.

To find photos, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip itinerary planner .

Drive from San Francisco to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, bus, shuttle, and car; or do a combination of train, bus, and car. Traveling from San Francisco in January, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is slightly colder at night with lows of 38°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Wed) to allow time for travel back home.

Located just 80 km (50 mi) north of San Francisco, Napa sits at the southern end of the scenic Napa Valley, one of the world's major wine regions.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Thu): look for all kinds of wild species at Safari West, explore the historical opulence of Castello di Amorosa, and then learn about winemaking at V. Sattui Winery. On your second day here, explore the striking landscape at Bodega Head, then learn about winemaking at Domaine Carneros, and then look for gifts at Oxbow Public Market.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Napa trip itinerary planning site .

You can drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Napa in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car, bus, and train; or do a combination of car, shuttle, bus, and subway. Expect a daytime high around 59°F in January, and nighttime lows around 37°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.