29 days in San Francisco Bay Area Itinerary

Get out of town with these interesting San Francisco side-trips: Lawrence Hall of Science (in Berkeley) and Muir Woods National Monument (in Mill Valley). Dedicate the 21st (Thu) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's much more to do: take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, stroll around Crissy Field, head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, and engage your brain at Exploratorium.

To see traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read San Francisco travel planning site.

Zurich, Switzerland to San Francisco is an approximately 14-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Zurich to San Francisco is minus 9 hours. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Zurich in December, with highs in San Francisco at 17°C and lows at 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Healdsburg.

Get out of town with these interesting Healdsburg side-trips: Sonoma Coast State Beach (in Bodega Bay) and Sharpsteen Museum (in Calistoga). The adventure continues: do a tasting at Gracianna Winery and savor the flavors at Food & Drink.

For maps, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Healdsburg vacation planner.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to Healdsburg takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from San Francisco in December, expect slightly colder with lows of 2°C in Healdsburg. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Napa.

Venture out of the city with trips to Glen Ellen (Benziger Family Winery & Jack London State Historic Park), Clos Pegase Winery (in Calistoga) and St. Helena (Gary's Wine & Marketplace, Modus Operandi Cellars, &more). Dedicate the 1st (Mon) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's still lots to do: take in the exciting artwork at Mumm Napa, examine the collection at Charles M. Schulz Museum, do a tasting at Robert Biale Vineyards, and sample the fine beverages at Spirit Works Distillery.

To see more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Napa travel site.

Traveling by car from Healdsburg to Napa takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. December in Napa sees daily highs of 17°C and lows of 1°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) so you can go by car to Sacramento.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Sacramento: Roseville Telephone Museum (in Roseville), Provenance Vineyards (in Rutherford) and Modesto (McHenry Museum & McHenry Mansion). There's lots more to do: get outside with Sac Brew Bike, explore the landscape on two wheels at Lower American River, take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and look for gifts at Westfield Galleria at Roseville.

For maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Sacramento travel website.

Drive from Napa to Sacramento in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. January in Sacramento sees daily highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Monterey.

When in Monterey, make a side trip to see Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, approximately Felton away.

To find other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Monterey day trip planning tool.

You can drive from Sacramento to Monterey in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a daytime high around 19°C in January, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.