24 days in United States Itinerary

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

Spend the 19th (Wed) exploring nature at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The adventure continues: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, engage your brain at Exploratorium, take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, and step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island.

To see where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our San Francisco road trip planning tool .

If you are flying in from Switzerland, the closest major airports are San Francisco International Airport, Metropolitan Oakland International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. In December, plan for daily highs up to 17°C, and evening lows to 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Fri): trek along Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, then explore the striking landscape at Sentinel Dome, and then explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point.

For where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park trip planner .

You can drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in 4 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of subway, flight, bus, and taxi. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from San Francisco in December: highs in Yosemite National Park hover around 9°C, while lows dip to -11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) early enough to travel 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Los Angeles: Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). Pack the 24th (Mon) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, appreciate the extensive heritage of Hollywood Walk of Fame, explore and take pictures at Staples Center, and look and learn at Griffith Observatory.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles road trip planner .

Do a combination of car and flight from Yosemite National Park to Los Angeles in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and flight. Expect warmer temperatures when traveling from Yosemite National Park in December; daily highs in Los Angeles reach 24°C and lows reach 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Wed) so you can go by car 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.

On the 26th (Wed), see the interesting displays at The Getty Villa, then immerse yourself in nature at Santa Monica State Beach, then take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, and finally listen to music at Third Street Promenade.

For ratings, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, read our Santa Monica vacation builder .

Santa Monica is just a short distance from Los Angeles. In December in Santa Monica, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 11°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Thu) to allow time for the car ride 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 27th (Thu): tour the pleasant surroundings at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 28th (Fri): see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum and then meet the residents at San Diego Zoo.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the San Diego online trip maker .

Getting from Santa Monica to San Diego by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of tram and train; or do a combination of bus and flight. In December, plan for daily highs up to 23°C, and evening lows to 12°C. You'll have a few hours on the 30th (Sun) to wrap things up before traveling 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.

Step out of Las Vegas to go to Boulder City and see Hoover Dam, which is approximately 50 minutes away. There's lots more to do: admire the local landmark of Bellagio Fountains, take in panoramic vistas at Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas, take in breathtaking views at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and admire the natural beauty at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

To find maps, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Las Vegas day trip tool .

Fly from San Diego to Las Vegas in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from San Diego in December; daily highs in Las Vegas reach 16°C and lows reach 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Wed) so you can 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 3rd (Thu): hike along Rim Trail.

For maps, ratings, photos, and tourist information, read our Grand Canyon National Park online journey builder .

Traveling by combination of car and flight from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Las Vegas in January, expect nights in Grand Canyon National Park to be much colder, around -11°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 7°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Thu) so you can go by car to Salt Lake City.

Utah's capital and most populous city, Salt Lake City boasts a small-town feel, big-city amenities, and plenty of nature on its doorstep.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Fri): fly down the slopes at Park City Mountain Resort and then hit the slopes at Deer Valley Resort. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sat): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Temple Square, take in breathtaking views at Big Cottonwood Canyon, and then test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms.

To see reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Salt Lake City trip itinerary builder tool .

Drive from Grand Canyon National Park to Salt Lake City in 8.5 hours. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Grand Canyon National Park in January: highs in Salt Lake City hover around 3°C, while lows dip to -6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Reno.

A sea of casinos in the high desert of the Sierra Nevadas, Reno capitalizes on gaming and nightlife.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Reno online vacation maker .

Getting from Sacramento to Reno by bus takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sacramento in December, things will get slightly colder in Reno: highs are around 9°C and lows about -5°C. You'll set off for Salt Lake City on the 21st (Fri).

The capital city of America's most economically significant state, Sacramento is an important stop for any politico.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sun): get a sense of history and politics at Capitol Park, admire the striking features of Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, explore the world behind art at Crocker Art Museum, then examine the collection at California State Railroad Museum, and finally see the interesting displays at California State Capitol Museum.

To find where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Sacramento trip planner .

You can take a bus from Reno to Sacramento in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Reno in January: high temperatures in Sacramento hover around 17°C and lows are around 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to San Francisco.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Mon): explore and take pictures at AT&T Park.

For reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the San Francisco planner .

Getting from Sacramento to San Francisco by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Expect a bit warmer evenings in San Francisco when traveling from Sacramento in January, with lows around 9°C. You'll have a few hours on the 8th (Tue) to wrap things up before traveling home.