33 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.

Do some cultural sightseeing at USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego. Escape the urban bustle at San Diego Zoo and Mission Beach Park. Pack the 19th (Thu) with family-friendly diversions at SeaWorld San Diego. The adventure continues: immerse yourself in nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, kick back and relax at La Jolla Cove, let the kids burn off some steam at Balboa Park, and admire the natural beauty at Botanical Building and Lily Pond.

To see reviews, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, use the San Diego trip itinerary maker app .

Cairns, Australia to San Diego is an approximately 19.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time (Queensland) (AEST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST) is minus 18 hours. Expect cooler temperatures when traveling from Cairns in December; daily highs in San Diego reach 23°C and lows reach 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Carmel.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Start off your visit on the 21st (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Carmel River State Beach, then admire the majestic nature at Point Lobos, and then stop by The Cheese Shop. Here are some ideas for day two: kick back and relax at Pfeiffer State Beach, admire the majestic nature at Asilomar State Beach, and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard.

To see photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Carmel trip planning app .

You can do a combination of flight and bus from San Diego to Carmel in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, shuttle, and bus; or drive. In December, Carmel is slightly colder than San Diego - with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to drive 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.

On the 23rd (Mon), hike along Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park and then hike along Mt. Whitney. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 24th (Tue): explore the striking landscape at Moro Rock and then take a peaceful walk through Giant Forest.

To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park travel route planning website .

You can drive from Carmel to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of bus, flight, shuttle, and car. Traveling from Carmel in December, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is a bit cooler at night with lows of 2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) 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.

Step out of the city life by going to Glacier Point and Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. Spend the 27th (Fri) exploring nature at Elizabeth Lake, Yosemite National Park. And it doesn't end there: hike along Tuolumne Meadows, admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, take in the dramatic natural features at Sentinel Dome, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Nevada Falls Loop.

For maps, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Yosemite National Park travel planner .

You can drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park in 5 hours. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in December: highs in Yosemite National Park hover around 9°C, while lows dip to -11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) 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.

Visit Alcatraz Island and SS Jeremiah O'Brien for their historical value. Step out of the city life by going to Twin Peaks and Muir Woods National Monument. Spend the 4th (Sat) exploring nature at Presidio of San Francisco. And it doesn't end there: take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, get curious at California Academy of Sciences, have fun and explore at Exploratorium, and stroll through Golden Gate Park.

To see maps, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip app .

Drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of taxi, bus, flight, and subway. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Yosemite National Park in December: highs in San Francisco hover around 17°C, while lows dip to 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) to allow enough time to 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. On the 5th (Sun), do a tasting at Pride Mountain Vineyards, make a trip to Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, and then visit a coastal fixture at Point Reyes Lighthouse. On the next day, stroll through Bodega Head and then admire the majestic nature at Fort Ross State Historic Park.

To find ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read Jenner online trip maker .

Getting from San Francisco to Jenner by car takes about 2 hours. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from San Francisco in January since evenings lows in Jenner dip to 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to travel to Crescent City.

Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Get outdoors at Redwood National Park and California Coastal Trail. Change things up with a short trip to Trillium Falls Hike in Redwood National Park (about 58 minutes away). There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Enderts Beach and trek along Stout Grove.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, use the Crescent City journey builder website .

Drive from Jenner to Crescent City in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. In January, plan for daily highs up to 15°C, and evening lows to 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) to allow time 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.

Get outdoors at Topanga State Park and Bronson Caves. Do some cultural sightseeing at The Getty Center and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Get out of town with these interesting Los Angeles side-trips: Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). Pack the 13th (Mon) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. The adventure continues: take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier, partake in some friendly competition at Fantastic Race, make a trip to Hollywood Walk of Fame, and kick back and relax at Venice Beach and Boardwalk.

To see more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles trip planner .

Traveling by flight from Crescent City to Los Angeles takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Crescent City in January, with highs in Los Angeles at 24°C and lows at 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.