42 days in California & Arizona Itinerary
Created using Inspirock United States trip planner
Start: Sydney
Fly
1
Los Angeles
— 5 nights
Drive
2
San Diego
— 5 nights
Fly
3
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
— 4 nights
Fly to Flagstaff, Bus to Grand Canyon National Park
4
Grand Canyon National Park
— 7 nights
Drive
5
Death Valley National Park
— 5 nights
Drive
6
Yosemite National Park
— 7 nights
Drive
7
Sonoma
— 2 nights
Drive
8
San Francisco
— 5 nights
Fly
End: Sydney
Sun, Sep 10 - Sat, Oct 21
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Los Angeles — 5 nights
©
City of Angels
You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Disneyland Park and The Getty Center. When in Los Angeles, make a side trip to see Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, approximately Anaheim away. Pack the 12th (Tue) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. And it doesn't end there: take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, kick back and relax at Santa Monica State Beach, look and learn at Griffith Observatory, and admire the masterpieces at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
To find maps, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles trip planner.
Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles is an approximately 18-hour flight. You'll gain 18 hours traveling from Sydney to Los Angeles due to the time zone difference. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in September; daily highs in Los Angeles reach 34°C and lows reach 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) to allow time to drive to San Diego.
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To find maps, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles trip planner.
Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles is an approximately 18-hour flight. You'll gain 18 hours traveling from Sydney to Los Angeles due to the time zone difference. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in September; daily highs in Los Angeles reach 34°C and lows reach 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) to allow time to drive to San Diego.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
San Diego — 5 nights
©
America's Finest City
You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like San Diego Zoo and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Spend the 20th (Wed) exploring the fascinating underwater world at SeaWorld San Diego. Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at USS Midway Museum, stroll around La Jolla Cove, let little ones run wild at Balboa Park, and shop like a local with Gaslamp Quarter.
To find maps, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the San Diego travel route planning tool.
You can drive from Los Angeles to San Diego in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or take a bus. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Los Angeles in September: highs in San Diego hover around 30°C, while lows dip to 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
more
To find maps, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the San Diego travel route planning tool.
You can drive from Los Angeles to San Diego in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or take a bus. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Los Angeles in September: highs in San Diego hover around 30°C, while lows dip to 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
Highlights from your trip
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park — 4 nights
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A Land of Giants
You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Sequoia Sightseeing Tours and Giant Forest. Step out of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to go to Three Rivers and see The Senate, which is approximately 48 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: tour the pleasant surroundings at Moro Rock Trail, trek along Zumwalt Meadow Trail, cruise along Generals Hwy, and take in the dramatic scenery at Roaring River Falls.
Plan a Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip in moments using our itinerary builder.
Traveling by flight from San Diego to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from San Diego in September: highs in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park hover around 38°C, while lows dip to 17°C. On the 24th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Grand Canyon National Park.
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Plan a Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip in moments using our itinerary builder.
Traveling by flight from San Diego to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from San Diego in September: highs in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park hover around 38°C, while lows dip to 17°C. On the 24th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Grand Canyon National Park.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
Grand Canyon National Park — 7 nights
©
Bring the kids along to Grand Canyon South Rim and South Kaibab Trail. On the 27th (Wed), hike the day away at Bright Angel Trail. And it doesn't end there: trek along Rim Trail, get great views at Hopi Point, make a trip to Grand Canyon Village, and get to know the fascinating history of Bright Angel Point.
For photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Grand Canyon National Park trip planner.
Getting from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Grand Canyon National Park by combination of flight and bus takes about 8.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Grand Canyon National Park. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in September: high temperatures in Grand Canyon National Park hover around 28°C and lows are around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can fly to Death Valley National Park.
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For photos, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Grand Canyon National Park trip planner.
Getting from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Grand Canyon National Park by combination of flight and bus takes about 8.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and bus; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Grand Canyon National Park. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in September: high temperatures in Grand Canyon National Park hover around 28°C and lows are around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can fly to Death Valley National Park.
Highlights from your trip
Death Valley National Park — 5 nights
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Hottest, Driest, Lowest
Death Valley National Park is known for nature, sightseeing, and scenic drive. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic natural features at The Devil's Speedway, stroll through Red Pass, take some stellar pictures from Dante's View, and trek along Lee Flat Joshua Trees.
For reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Death Valley National Park road trip website.
Getting from Grand Canyon National Park to Death Valley National Park by car takes about 7 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Grand Canyon National Park to Death Valley National Park due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Grand Canyon National Park in October, plan for somewhat warmer days in Death Valley National Park, with highs around 30°C, while nights are warmer with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to travel to Yosemite National Park.
more
For reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Death Valley National Park road trip website.
Getting from Grand Canyon National Park to Death Valley National Park by car takes about 7 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of shuttle and bus; or take a bus. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Grand Canyon National Park to Death Valley National Park due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Grand Canyon National Park in October, plan for somewhat warmer days in Death Valley National Park, with highs around 30°C, while nights are warmer with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) early enough to travel to Yosemite National Park.
Highlights from your trip
Yosemite National Park — 7 nights
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You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Half Dome and Tioga Pass. Next up on the itinerary: trek along Tuolumne Meadows, explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point, admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, and contemplate the waterfront views at Tenaya Lake.
To find where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park trip builder website.
Explore your travel options from Death Valley National Park to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. Traveling from Death Valley National Park in October, you will find days in Yosemite National Park are little chillier (22°C), and nights are colder (-2°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to travel to Sonoma.
more
To find where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park trip builder website.
Explore your travel options from Death Valley National Park to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. Traveling from Death Valley National Park in October, you will find days in Yosemite National Park are little chillier (22°C), and nights are colder (-2°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) early enough to travel to Sonoma.
Highlights from your trip
Sonoma — 2 nights
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On the 14th (Sat), trek along Jack London State Historic Park, then kick back and relax at Sonoma Coast State Beach, and then get a taste of the local shopping with Glen Ellen Village Market. On the 15th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Sonoma Plaza and then get a dose of the wild on Point Reyes Safaris.
To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Sonoma trip planner.
The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to Sonoma. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in October, things will get somewhat warmer in Sonoma: highs are around 28°C and lows about 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to San Francisco.
more
To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Sonoma trip planner.
The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to Sonoma. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in October, things will get somewhat warmer in Sonoma: highs are around 28°C and lows about 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to San Francisco.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
San Francisco — 5 nights
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City by the Bay
Kids will enjoy Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. There's lots more to do: take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf, browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace, walk around Golden Gate Park, and engage your brain at California Academy of Sciences.
To see traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read San Francisco day trip planning tool.
Traveling by car from Sonoma to San Francisco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and subway; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in San Francisco when traveling from Sonoma in October, with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Fri) to allow time for the flight back home.
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To see traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, read San Francisco day trip planning tool.
Traveling by car from Sonoma to San Francisco takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and subway; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in San Francisco when traveling from Sonoma in October, with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Fri) to allow time for the flight back home.
Highlights from your trip
California travel guide
The Golden State
The country's most populous state, California includes landscapes that range from the forested northern coast to harsh southern deserts. Sandwiched right in the middle of the state is a fertile valley, home to farms, vineyards, and orchards. California's cities offer diverse attractions, from amusement parks and upscale shops to award-winning restaurants and innovative art galleries. Outside the state's big urban centers, places to visit include some of the nation's most rugged national parks, ancient forests, towering mountain peaks, and ski resorts. More than just a surfing destination famous for its beaches and winding coastal roads, California also boasts one of the world's largest economies, bolstered by the booming tech industries.
Arizona travel guide
The Grand Canyon State
Known as the "Grand Canyon State," Arizona boasts dense forests, deep gorges, sprawling national parks, and modern ski resorts. Native American reservations take up about a quarter of the state, housing several tribes and offering visitors a chance to discover the varied cultures of the country's indigenous population. A patchwork of diverse tourist attractions, Arizona features exclusive golf courses and upscale shops, as well as cactus-covered canyons and stretches of desolate desert straight out of old Westerns, perfect for a vacation far from the city bustle. Though the state still clings to its Old West flavor, its busy college towns packed with young students from around the world exude a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
