25 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.

Step out of San Diego with an excursion to Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens in Encinitas--about 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: get to know the resident critters at San Diego Zoo, have fun at Balboa Park, stroll through La Jolla Cove, and examine the collection at Maritime Museum of San Diego.

To find reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read our San Diego day trip website.

Denver to San Diego is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Denver to San Diego. Traveling from Denver in November, expect nights in San Diego to be warmer, around 57°F, while days are a bit warmer, around 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) 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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Los Angeles: Santa Monica Farmers Market (in Santa Monica), Mulholland Drive (in Beverly Hills) and Disneyland Park (in Anaheim). Pack the 3rd (Thu) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at The Getty Center, admire the striking features of Walt Disney Concert Hall, get a new perspective on nature at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, and explore the world behind art at Norton Simon Museum.

To find more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles road trip planner.

Drive from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. November in Los Angeles sees daily highs of 76°F and lows of 55°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Barbara.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sun): make a trip to Old Mission Santa Barbara, explore the world behind art at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and then get to know the resident critters at Santa Barbara Zoo. Keep things going the next day: do a tasting at Sunstone Winery and then savor the flavors at Silk Road Transportation and Wine Tours.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, use the Santa Barbara trip planner.

You can drive from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Los Angeles in December since evenings lows in Santa Barbara dip to 41°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) to allow time 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.

Yosemite National Park is known for nature, trails, and scenic drive. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point, hike along Nevada Falls Loop, make a trip to Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, and identify plant and animal life at Nature Center at Happy Isles.

For ratings, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Yosemite National Park trip planner.

Drive from Santa Barbara to Yosemite National Park in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight. Expect colder temperatures when traveling from Santa Barbara in December; daily highs in Yosemite National Park reach 46°F and lows reach 14°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Napa.

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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Napa: Ladera Vineyards (in Calistoga) and St. Helena (VGS Chateau Potelle, Dean & DeLuca, &more). Dedicate the 15th (Tue) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. The adventure continues: learn about winemaking at Cosentino Winery and stop by Darioush Winery.

Plan trip to Napa with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Traveling by car from Yosemite National Park to Napa takes 4.5 hours. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in December, plan for a bit warmer days in Napa, with highs around 59°F, while nights are warmer with lows around 35°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to San Francisco.

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

San Francisco is known for nature, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, explore the world behind art at Legion of Honor, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Anchor Brewing Company, and get curious at Exploratorium.

For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our San Francisco sightseeing planner.

Traveling by car from Napa to San Francisco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and subway. Expect a bit warmer evenings in San Francisco when traveling from Napa in December, with lows around 45°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) so you can travel back home.