30 days in California Itinerary

Extreme heat and dryness create extreme landscapes in Death Valley National Park.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Darwin Falls and Panamint Range. Get a sense of the local culture at Cerro Gordo Mines and Eureka Mine. And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Zabriskie Point, cruise along Artists Dr, and explore the activities along Badwater Basin.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Death Valley National Park tour itinerary planner.

New York City to Death Valley National Park is an approximately 12.5-hour combination of bus, flight, and taxi. You can also do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi; or drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -3 hour difference. While traveling from New York City, expect a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Death Valley National Park, ranging from highs of 98°F to lows of 68°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) so you can travel to Crescent City.

Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Escape the urban bustle at California Coastal Trail and Redwood National Park. Step off the beaten path and head to Point St George Park and Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park Campground. Change things up with a short trip to Yurok Country Visitor Center in Klamath (about 40 minutes away). It doesn't end there: trek along Boy Scout Big Tree Trail and take a peaceful walk through Trees of Mystery.

Before you visit Crescent City, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can do a combination of taxi, bus, and flight from Death Valley National Park to Crescent City in 9 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi, bus, and flight; or drive. Expect colder weather when traveling from Death Valley National Park in June: highs in Crescent City hover around 61°F, while lows dip to 50°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg is a coastal city along State Route 1 in Mendocino County, California. Visit Noyo Headlands Park and Black Sands Beach for some beach relaxation. Step off the beaten path and head to MacKerricher State Park and Pudding Creek Beach. Step out of Fort Bragg with an excursion to Lost Coast Trail in Eureka--about 1h 25 min away. There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Seaside Beach, see the interesting displays at Triangle Tattoo and Museum, stroll through Noyo Beach, and savor the flavors at Roundman's Smoke House.

To find other places to visit and tourist information, use the Fort Bragg day trip website .

Traveling by car from Crescent City to Fort Bragg takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or take a bus. While traveling from Crescent City, expect much hotter days and about the same nights in Fort Bragg, ranging from highs of 89°F to lows of 54°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Wed) so you can travel to Jenner.

Jenner is a small coastal town and census-designated place (CDP) with a population of about 136 in Sonoma County, California, U.S. Start off your visit on the 11th (Thu): take in the dramatic natural features at Bodega Head, then enjoy the sand and surf at Bodega Dunes, and then kick back and relax at Goat Rock Beach. On the 12th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire nature's extreme beauty at Salt Point State Park, tour the pleasant surroundings at Gualala Point Regional Park, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Sea Ranch Chapel.

To find reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Jenner trip itinerary tool .

Getting from Fort Bragg to Jenner by car takes about 2.5 hours. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Fort Bragg in June: highs in Jenner hover around 83°F, while lows dip to 51°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Big Sur.

A sparsely populated area with stunning views, Big Sur attracts artists and tourists traveling California’s scenic Highway 1.

Step off the beaten path and head to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Dawn's Dream Winery. Get outdoors at Pfeiffer State Beach and Point Lobos. Venture out of the city with trips to Carmel (Gallery by the Sea Carmel, Carmel River State Beach, & more) and Monterey Bay (in Monterey). The adventure continues: tour the pleasant surroundings at Partington Cove and take in the dramatic scenery at McWay Falls.

To find photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Big Sur driving holiday planning tool .

Traveling by car from Jenner to Big Sur takes 4.5 hours. Traveling from Jenner in June, expect nights in Big Sur to be about the same, around 53°F, while days are little chillier, around 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough 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.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Tue): learn about winemaking at Peachy Canyon Winery, then kick back and relax at Moonstone Beach, and then identify plant and animal life at Elephant Seal Rookery. Keep things going the next day: learn about winemaking at Jack Creek Celllars, take in the dramatic natural features at Morro Rock, and then kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the San Simeon trip itinerary app .

Getting from Big Sur to San Simeon by car takes about 4 hours. Traveling from Big Sur in June, you will find days in San Simeon are much hotter (93°F), and nights are about the same (53°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Wed) so you can go by car to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

With mountain peaks reaching past 4,250 m (14,000 ft) and trees stretching to over 75 m (250 ft) high, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks present nature on a grand scale.

Take a break from the city and head to Manzanar National Historic Site and Zumwalt Meadow Trail. Discover out-of-the-way places like Generals Hwy and Kings Canyon National Park. And it doesn't end there: explore the striking landscape at Moro Rock, admire the sheer force of Grizzly Falls, and delve into the lush surroundings at Giant Forest.

For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park driving holiday planner.

Traveling by car from San Simeon to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, bus, and car; or do a combination of bus and car. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from San Simeon in June since evenings lows in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park dip to 62°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Sat) early enough to go by car 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Olmsted Point and Bodie State Historic Park. Change things up with a short trip to Mono Lake County Park in Lee Vining (about 48 minutes away). Spend the 24th (Wed) exploring nature at Bridalveil Fall. The adventure continues: admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, take in the dramatic natural features at El Capitan, make a trip to Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center, and take some stellar pictures from Tunnel View.

To find reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Yosemite National Park online trip maker .

Drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park in 5 hours. Traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in June, expect Yosemite National Park to be little chillier, temps between 79°F and 43°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can travel to South Lake Tahoe.

High in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the shore of one of America’s most scenic lakes, South Lake Tahoe captures the spirit of the outdoors and serves as a hub for tourism activities surrounding the lake.

Visiting Pope Beach and Lakeside Beach will get you outdoors. Discover out-of-the-way places like Emerald Bay State Park and The Downieville Downhill. Venture out of the city with trips to Tahoe National Forest (in Downieville) and Food Tours (in San Francisco). There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Baldwin Beach, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Kiva Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at El Dorado Beach, and relax in the rural setting at Tahoe Trout Farm.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, use the South Lake Tahoe tour itinerary maker site .

You can do a combination of bus and taxi from Yosemite National Park to South Lake Tahoe in 3.5 hours. In June, daytime highs in South Lake Tahoe are 77°F, while nighttime lows are 41°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) to allow time to travel back home.