8 days in California Itinerary

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

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sun): contemplate the long history of SS Jeremiah O'Brien and then head off the coast to Alcatraz Island. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: examine the collection at Cable Car Museum, don't miss a visit to Ferry Building Marketplace, then go for a walk through Fisherman's Wharf, and finally snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read our San Francisco tour itinerary planner.

London, UK to San Francisco is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from London to San Francisco due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 25°C in June, and nighttime lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) early enough to 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.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Tue): take in the dramatic scenery at Vernal Fall, then get a dose of the wild on YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours, then explore the striking landscape at Glacier Point, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at Sentinel Dome. On your second day here, take some stellar pictures from Washburn Point, get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, then browse the exhibits of Ansel Adams Gallery, and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls.

To see photos, maps, and tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park attractions planning tool.

You can drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park in 4 hours. When traveling from San Francisco in June, plan for somewhat warmer days in Yosemite National Park, with highs around 30°C, while nights are little chillier with lows around 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to travel 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.

On the 10th (Thu), look for all kinds of wild species at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop, then enjoy the sand and surf at Piedras Blancas, and then step into the grandiose world of Hearst Castle.

To see maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the San Simeon trip builder website.

You can drive from Yosemite National Park to San Simeon in 5.5 hours. In June, San Simeon is somewhat warmer than Yosemite National Park - with highs of 39°C and lows of 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) 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.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Fri): get a taste of the local shopping with The Grove, then view the masterpieces at Annenberg Community Beach House, and then get a taste of the local shopping with Montana Avenue. On the 12th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier, browse the eclectic array of goods at Santa Monica Farmers Market, look for gifts at Edelweiss Chocolate Factory, buy something for everyone on your list at Two Rodeo Drive, then take a stroll through Rodeo Drive, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Hollywood Walk of Fame.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, read Los Angeles tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from San Simeon to Los Angeles in 4.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of taxi and train. While traveling from San Simeon, expect a bit cooler days and somewhat warmer nights in Los Angeles, ranging from highs of 30°C to lows of 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.