36 days in California Itinerary

Step off the beaten path and head to Point Lobos and Monterey Bay. Visiting Dolphin & Whale Watching and Piedras Blancas will get you outdoors. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Monterey: Big Sur (McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, &more) and San Simeon (Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center & Ragged Point Overlook).

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Monterey visit planning app.

Paris, France to Monterey is an approximately 16-hour combination of flight and shuttle. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time (CET) to Pacific Standard Time (PST) is minus 9 hours. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in September, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) early enough to drive to Healdsburg.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sun): do a tasting at Gary Farrell Winery, do a tasting at Gracianna Winery, then immerse yourself in nature at Armstrong Redwood State Reserve, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas. Here are some ideas for day two: learn about winemaking at Dry Creek Vineyard and then indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area.

For where to stay, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Healdsburg trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by car from Monterey to Healdsburg takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or do a combination of shuttle and bus. When traveling from Monterey in September, plan for a bit warmer days and slightly colder nights in Healdsburg: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 12°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can go by car to San Francisco.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Wine Tours & Tastings and Domaine Carneros. Take a break from the city and head to Muir Woods National Monument and Lands End. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Francisco: VJB Cellars (in Kenwood), Safari West (in Santa Rosa) and Robert Mondavi Winery (in Oakville). There's much more to do: immerse yourself in nature at Marin Headlands, explore the activities along San Francisco Bay, get great views at Inspiration Point at the Presidio, and head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To find reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the San Francisco itinerary tool.

Traveling by car from Healdsburg to San Francisco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of train and bus. When traveling from Healdsburg in October, plan for a bit cooler days and somewhat warmer nights in San Francisco: temperatures range from 26°C by day to 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Sun): stroll around Slick Rock Recreation Area, then hike along General Grant Tree Trail, and then explore the stunning scenery at Kings Canyon National Park. Keep things going the next day: trek along Moro Rock Trail, contemplate the long history of General Sherman Tree, and then take a peaceful walk through Giant Forest.

To see photos, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read our Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park online road trip planner.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of subway, train, and bus; or take a bus. While traveling from San Francisco, expect a bit warmer days and a bit cooler nights in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, ranging from highs of 32°C to lows of 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to San Diego.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Wine Tours & Tastings and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Popular historic sites such as Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Point Loma are in your itinerary. Explore San Diego's surroundings by going to The Graves House (in Oceanside), Mission San Juan Capistrano (in San Juan Capistrano) and Dolphin & Whale Watching (in Dana Point). Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Lions, Tigers & Bears, enjoy the sand and surf at South Carlsbad State Beach, stroll through Coronado Beach, and learn about winemaking at Wilson Creek Winery.

For reviews, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our San Diego day trip planning site.

Traveling by flight from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to San Diego takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. Traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in San Diego, with lows of 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Santa Barbara.

Get some historical perspective at Santa Barbara County Courthouse and Old Mission Santa Barbara. Discover out-of-the-way places like Wine Tours & Tastings and Monarch Butterfly Grove. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Santa Barbara: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum (in Simi Valley), Solvang (Toccata Tasting Room & Cali Love Wine) and Camarillo Premium Outlets (in Camarillo). The adventure continues: discover the deep blue sea with Calboat Diving - Spectre Dive Boat, take a leisurely stroll along Stearns Wharf, relax and rejuvenate at Salt Cave, and stroll through Miramar Beach.

For ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara online journey planner.

Traveling by flight from San Diego to Santa Barbara takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from San Diego in October, plan for little chillier nights in Santa Barbara, with lows around 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight to Death Valley National Park.

On the 25th (Wed), make a trip to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, explore and take pictures at Artist's Drive, contemplate the waterfront views at Badwater Basin, then explore the striking landscape at Devil's Golf Course, then take in the dramatic natural features at Zabriskie Point, and finally get great views at Dante's View.

For more things to do, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Death Valley National Park trip itinerary builder tool.

You can drive from Santa Barbara to Death Valley National Park in 5.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In October, daytime highs in Death Valley National Park are 30°C, while nighttime lows are 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to travel to Yosemite National Park.

Escape the urban bustle at Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove. Discover out-of-the-way places like Yosemite, Tunnel View and Half Dome. Step out of Yosemite National Park with an excursion to Stanislaus National Forest in Hathaway Pines--about 38 minutes away. The adventure continues: take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls, take a memorable drive along Tioga Pass, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Pioneer Yosemite History Center, and take in the dramatic natural features at Sentinel Dome.

Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Yosemite National Park trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Death Valley National Park to Yosemite National Park. Traveling from Death Valley National Park in October, expect nights in Yosemite National Park to be cooler, around -2°C, while days are slightly colder, around 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight back home.