30 days in California Itinerary

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Sail Stars & Stripes and Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. There's lots more to do: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at San Diego Zoo, steep yourself in history at Mormon Battalion Historic Site, admire the striking features of Casa De Balboa, and enjoy the sea views from Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

For reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the San Diego trip planning site.

Minneapolis to San Diego is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Minneapolis to San Diego due to the time zone difference. While traveling from Minneapolis, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in San Diego, ranging from highs of 77°F to lows of 68°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) so you can go by car to Los Angeles.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Bikes And Hikes LA Tours and The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. There's still lots to do: get curious at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, explore the stunning scenery at Runyon Canyon Park, see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, and watch a film at California Science Center.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Los Angeles trip site.

Getting from San Diego to Los Angeles by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. Traveling from San Diego in July, you will find days in Los Angeles are somewhat warmer (83°F), and nights are about the same (66°F). Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Monica.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Tue): enjoy the sand and surf at Venice Beach and Boardwalk and then get in on the family fun at Pacific Park.

For traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Santa Monica trip itinerary tool.

Santa Monica is just a stone's throw from Los Angeles. When traveling from Los Angeles in July, plan for a bit cooler days in Santa Monica, with highs around 76°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) so you can fly to Death Valley National Park.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Thu): explore the striking landscape at Zabriskie Point and then get great views at Dante's View. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the long history of Charcoal Kilns, take in the dramatic natural features at Artists Palette, then contemplate the waterfront views at Badwater Basin, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Panamint Range.

To see ratings, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Death Valley National Park journey site.

Traveling by flight from Santa Monica to Death Valley National Park takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of tram, train, and bus; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Santa Monica in July, plan for much hotter days and a bit warmer nights in Death Valley National Park: temperatures range from 101°F by day to 73°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 15th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Yosemite National Park.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Glacier Point and El Capitan. There's much more to do: explore and take pictures at Tioga Pass, hike along Four Mile Trail, don't miss a visit to Olmsted Point, and explore the striking landscape at Lembert Dome.

To find more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park online trip itinerary builder.

Explore your travel options from Death Valley National Park to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. When traveling from Death Valley National Park in July, plan for a bit cooler days in Yosemite National Park, with highs around 83°F, while nights are colder with lows around 46°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) so you can travel to Monterey.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard and San Carlos Cathedral.

To see where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, read our Monterey holiday maker tool.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to Monterey. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in July, expect nights in Monterey to be a bit warmer, around 55°F, while days are little chillier, around 69°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can go by car to Big Sur.

On the 22nd (Sat), kick back and relax at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, take in the dramatic scenery at McWay Falls, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Partington Cove, then immerse yourself in nature at Limekiln State Park, and finally take in the views from Big Creek Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Sun): snap pictures at Bixby Bridge, snap pictures at Rocky Creek Bridge, then admire all the interesting features of Old Coast Road, then shop like a local with Hawthorne Gallery, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Pfeiffer State Beach.

To find reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Big Sur holiday planner.

Getting from Monterey to Big Sur by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 69°F, and evening lows to 55°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to go by car to San Francisco.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Armstrong Redwood State Reserve and Balloon Rides. Get out of town with these interesting San Francisco side-trips: Sonoma Plaza (in Sonoma), Thomas George Estates (in Healdsburg) and VJB Cellars (in Kenwood). Dedicate the 25th (Tue) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's lots more to do: stroll through Alcatraz Island, stop by Fisherman's Wharf, take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, and hike along Lands End.

You can plan San Francisco trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.

Traveling by car from Big Sur to San Francisco takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or take a bus. In July, daytime highs in San Francisco are 73°F, while nighttime lows are 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly back home.