60 days in California Itinerary

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to San Francisco Bay and Muir Woods National Monument. There's much more to do: step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island, snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, shop like a local with Ferry Building Marketplace, and take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf.

To find where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the San Francisco travel route planning tool .

Auckland Central, New Zealand to San Francisco is an approximately 16-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Auckland Central to San Francisco is minus 20 hours. Traveling from Auckland Central in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in San Francisco, with lows of 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Healdsburg.

The quaint city of Healdsburg is one of northern California's wine capitals, serving as the meeting point for three of Sonoma's most important wine-producing regions.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Castello di Amorosa and Wine Tours & Tastings. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Healdsburg: Storybook Mountain Vineyards (in Calistoga), BobDog Winery (in Cloverdale) and Armstrong Redwood State Reserve (in Guerneville). The adventure continues: do a tasting at Brassfield Estate Winery, stroll through Bodega Head, have some family-friendly fun at Pee Wee Golf & Arcade, and admire the majestic nature at Gualala Point Regional Park.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Healdsburg journey planner .

You can drive from San Francisco to Healdsburg in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from San Francisco in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Healdsburg, with lows of 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can travel to Ukiah.

Ukiah is the county seat and largest city of Mendocino County, California. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and Highlight Gallery. Explore Ukiah's surroundings by going to Mendocino (Mendocino Coast, Point Cabrillo Light Station, & more) and Philo (Goldeneye Winery, Navarro Vineyards & Winery, & more). There's more to do: do a tasting at Toulouse Vineyards & Winery.

For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Ukiah holiday planner.

Traveling by car from Healdsburg to Ukiah takes an hour. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in January, and nighttime lows around 2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sat) so you can travel 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Glacier Point and El Capitan. Take a break from Yosemite National Park with a short trip to Dodge Ridge in Pinecrest, about 58 minutes away. On the 16th (Tue), spend an exhilarating day on the slopes at Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. There's much more to do: take some stellar pictures from Tunnel View, admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, stroll through Tuolumne Meadows, and don't miss a visit to Yosemite Village.

Plan my Yosemite National Park trip by asking Inpirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

Traveling by car from Ukiah to Yosemite National Park takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. While traveling from Ukiah, expect slightly colder days and cooler nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 8°C to lows of -12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to travel to Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes is a town in Mono County, California, the county's only incorporated community. Discover out-of-the-way places like Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center and June Lake Loop. Step out of Mammoth Lakes to go to Bishop and see Little Lakes Valley Trail, which is approximately 42 minutes away. On the 20th (Sat), spend an exhilarating day on the slopes at Mammoth Mountain. There's lots more to do: fly down the slopes at June Mountain, get great views at Minaret Vista, and browse the exhibits of Eleven53 Interpretive Center.

For traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Mammoth Lakes online journey planner .

Traveling by bus from Yosemite National Park to Mammoth Lakes takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In January in Mammoth Lakes, expect temperatures between 5°C during the day and -9°C at night. On the 21st (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can take a bus to Death Valley National Park.

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

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Dante's View and Artists Dr. Get out of town with these interesting Death Valley National Park side-trips: Death Valley Junction (Harmony Borax Works & Titus Canyon). There's lots more to do: explore the activities along Badwater, contemplate the long history of Charcoal Kilns, get great views at Aguereberry Point, and make a trip to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

For where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, go to the Death Valley National Park attractions planning website .

Getting from Mammoth Lakes to Death Valley National Park by bus takes about 4 hours. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Mammoth Lakes in January: high temperatures in Death Valley National Park hover around 18°C and lows are around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to General Sherman Tree and Mt. Whitney. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: Lone Pine (Lone Pine Creek, Lone Pine Film History Museums, & more) and Independence (Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery & Eastern California Museum). Next up on the itinerary: delve into the lush surroundings at Giant Forest, explore the striking landscape at Moro Rock, and explore the stunning scenery at Kings Canyon National Park.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, use the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park travel planner .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Death Valley National Park to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Traveling from Death Valley National Park in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, with lows of -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Wed) to allow time to drive to Paso Robles.

A town of hot springs and wine, Paso Robles (or "Pass of the Oaks") feels like a desert paradise to those who travel here.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Elephant Seal Rookery and Piedras Blancas. Get out of town with these interesting Paso Robles side-trips: Morro Rock (in Morro Bay), Cambria (Moonstone Beach & Piedras Blancas Light Station) and Pismo Beach (Monarch Butterfly Grove & Pismo Pier). There's much more to do: do a tasting at San Marcos Creek Vineyards & Winery, take in the exciting artwork at Studios on the Park, and see the interesting displays at Paso Robles Pioneer Museum.

To see ratings, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Paso Robles trip builder .

Drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Paso Robles in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car, shuttle, and bus. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Paso Robles when traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in January, with lows around 1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to go by car 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. Discover out-of-the-way places like Point Lobos State Reserve and Cannery Row. Change things up with these side-trips from Carmel: Big Sur (McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, & more). There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Carmel City Beach/Carmel River Beach, contemplate the waterfront views at Monterey Bay, take a memorable drive along Seventeen Mile Drive, and pause for some serene contemplation at San Carlos Cathedral.

For reviews, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Carmel day trip app .

You can drive from Paso Robles to Carmel in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Paso Robles in February, plan for a bit warmer nights in Carmel, with lows around 8°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Thu) so you can travel to San Diego.

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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to San Diego Zoo Safari Park and San Diego - Coronado Bridge. There's still lots to do: meet the residents at San Diego Zoo, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sunset Cliffs, admire the majestic nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and get in on the family fun at SeaWorld San Diego.

To see other places to visit, maps, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the San Diego visit planner .

Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Carmel to San Diego takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a bit warmer evenings in San Diego when traveling from Carmel in February, with lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 13th (Tue) to allow time for the car ride to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park takes its name from the Joshua tree, a twisted, spiky tree with bayonet-shaped leaves at the top that's one of the few plant species hardy enough to thrive in the extreme climate of the Mojave Desert.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Joshua Tree National Park and Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Joshua Tree National Park: Palm Springs (Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs Art Museum, & more), Borrego Springs (Rams Hill Golf Club & Coyote Canyon) and Sunnylands (in Rancho Mirage). There's more to do: make a trip to Arch Rock.

To see more things to do, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Joshua Tree National Park road trip planner.

Getting from San Diego to Joshua Tree National Park by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and car; or do a combination of train, bus, and car. Traveling from San Diego in February, you will find days in Joshua Tree National Park are a bit warmer (29°C), and nights are little chillier (6°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) so you can go by car to Santa Barbara.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a solid vacation destination with its wide beaches, renowned wineries, and some of California's finest shopping and dining options.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Wine Tours & Tastings and Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Explore Santa Barbara's surroundings by going to Los Olivos (Carhartt Vineyard & tercero wines). The adventure continues: steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, learn about winemaking at Jaffurs Wine Cellars, stroll through Shoreline Park, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Santa Barbara Zoo.

For photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Santa Barbara trip itinerary maker app .

You can drive from Joshua Tree National Park to Santa Barbara in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car, flight, and bus; or do a combination of car and bus. When traveling from Joshua Tree National Park in February, plan for a bit cooler days in Santa Barbara, with highs around 20°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to go by car 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.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Los Angeles: Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). Pack the 22nd (Thu) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's still lots to do: look and learn at Griffith Observatory, immerse yourself in nature at Topanga State Park, explore the world behind art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and examine the collection at Getty Center The Publications.

To find photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles travel route planner .

You can drive from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Santa Barbara in February; daily highs in Los Angeles reach 25°C and lows reach 12°C. On the 27th (Tue), you'll travel back home.