23 days in West Coast Itinerary

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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Glacier Point and Tunnel View. Step out of Yosemite National Park to go to Bridgeport and see Bodie State Historic Park, which is approximately 1h 05 min away. There's lots more to do: take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls, don't miss a visit to Olmsted Point, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, and explore the striking landscape at Sentinel Dome.

To find photos, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park travel itinerary planner .

London, UK to Yosemite National Park is an approximately 17.5-hour combination of flight and car. You can also do a combination of flight and bus. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from London to Yosemite National Park due to the time zone difference. While traveling from London, expect somewhat warmer days and a bit cooler nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 32°C to lows of 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to drive to San Francisco.

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

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Alcatraz Island and Exploratorium. Shop till you drop at Ferry Building Marketplace and Union Square. Venture out of the city with trips to Bodega Dunes (in Bodega) and Castello di Amorosa (in Calistoga). There's still lots to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, take a stroll through SoMa, examine the collection at Cable Car Museum, and take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf.

To find reviews, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the San Francisco trip planner.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight; or do a combination of bus and flight. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in August, plan for slightly colder days and somewhat warmer nights in San Francisco: temperatures range from 26°C by day to 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (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. Start off your visit on the 28th (Wed): stroll through Carmel River State Beach and then immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 29th (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Pfeiffer State Beach, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Pacific Grove Shoreline Parkway Marine Refuge, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Monterey Bay.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, go to the Carmel online holiday planner .

You can drive from San Francisco to Carmel in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in August, and nighttime lows around 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Fri): contemplate the long history of Hearst Castle, shop like a local with artifacts gallery, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Moonstone Beach. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Piedras Blancas and then identify plant and animal life at Elephant Seal Rookery.

To find other places to visit, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our San Simeon tour itinerary planning site .

You can drive from Carmel to San Simeon in 3 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and car. Traveling from Carmel in August, you will find days in San Simeon are warmer (40°C), and nights are about the same (15°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Friday Harbor.

The tiny town of Friday Harbor is the largest village on the San Juan Islands, and it fits within just 2.6 km (1 sq mi) of space.

Head to Island Studios and Arctic Raven Galleryfor plenty of shopping. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at The Whale Museum and San Juan Islands Sculpture Park. There's lots more to do: get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, stop by Pelindaba Lavender Friday Harbor, witness the site of a historic battle at American Camp, and examine the collection at San Juan Historical Society and Museum.

To see ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Friday Harbor trip planner.

You can do a combination of bus and flight from San Simeon to Friday Harbor in 10.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and ferry. Traveling from San Simeon in September, expect nights in Friday Harbor to be about the same, around 11°C, while days are colder, around 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) so you can fly to Seattle.

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour and Seahurst Beach Park. Do your shopping at Chihuly Garden and Glass and Pike Place Market. Next up on the itinerary: see the interesting displays at The Museum of Flight, enjoy breathtaking views from Space Needle, stroll through Kerry Park, and look for gifts at Elliott Bay Book Company.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Seattle trip website .

Getting from Friday Harbor to Seattle by flight takes about an hour. Other options: ride a ferry. Traveling from Friday Harbor in September, expect a bit warmer with lows of 15°C in Seattle. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can go by car to Cannon Beach.

Cannon Beach is a city in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Relax by the water at Cannon Beach and Hug Point State Recreation Site. Head to Wheeler Station Antiques and Cannon Beach Bookstorefor plenty of shopping. Step out of Cannon Beach to go to Rockaway Beach and see Rockaway Beach Wayside, which is approximately 38 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Haystack Rock, admire the majestic nature at Ecola State Park, play a few rounds at Manzanita Golf Course, and enjoy the sand and surf at Manzanita Beach.

For maps, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Cannon Beach trip app .

You can drive from Seattle to Cannon Beach in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. In September in Cannon Beach, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can travel back home.