8 days in United States Itinerary

Santa Cruz remains synonymous with surfing, but this counterculture bastion offers plenty even if you don't plan to catch any waves.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Santa Cruz travel route app .

San Francisco to Santa Cruz is an approximately 1.5-hour car ride. You can also take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In September, daily temperatures in Santa Cruz can reach 78°F, while at night they dip to 55°F. On the 28th (Sat), you'll travel to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. On the 28th (Sat), explore the landscape on two wheels at Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail, then get to know the fascinating history of Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard, and then stroll through Breakwater.

To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Monterey trip maker site .

You can drive from Santa Cruz to Monterey in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Santa Cruz in September: highs in Monterey hover around 72°F, while lows dip to 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can take a bus to Big Sur.

A sparsely populated area with stunning views, Big Sur attracts artists and tourists traveling California’s scenic Highway 1.

On the 29th (Sun), view the masterpieces at Coast Gallery Big Sur, then immerse yourself in nature at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Pfeiffer State Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: snap pictures at Rocky Creek Bridge and then immerse yourself in nature at Andrew Molera State Park.

For reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Big Sur road trip app .

Traveling by bus from Monterey to Big Sur takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. In September in Big Sur, expect temperatures between 72°F during the day and 56°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) to allow time to drive 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.

For other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, use the San Simeon day trip planner.

You can drive from Big Sur to San Simeon in 2.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and car. When traveling from Big Sur in September, plan for somewhat warmer days in San Simeon, with highs around 90°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 53°F. You'll set off for Morro Bay on the 30th (Mon).

Morro Bay is a waterfront city in San Luis Obispo County, California located along California State Route 1 on California's Central Coast. On the 1st (Tue), see the interesting displays at Morro Bay State Park, then admire the landmark architecture of Brecon Estate, and then explore the striking landscape at Morro Rock.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Morro Bay trip itinerary planning tool .

You can drive from San Simeon to Morro Bay in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from San Simeon in September: highs in Morro Bay hover around 83°F, while lows dip to 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short, is a city in the U.S. Start off your visit on the 2nd (Wed): trek along Valencia Peak Trail, enjoy the sand and surf at Fisherman's Beach, and then admire the architecture and history at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

For photos, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the San Luis Obispo journey maker .

San Luis Obispo is very close to Morro Bay. In October, plan for daily highs up to 81°F, and evening lows to 54°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach is a city in San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States. To find reviews, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, use the Pismo Beach trip itinerary planning app .

Pismo Beach is just a short distance from San Luis Obispo. In October, daytime highs in Pismo Beach are 81°F, while nighttime lows are 54°F. You'll set off for Solvang on the 3rd (Thu).

Solvang is a city in Santa Barbara County, California. To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Solvang day trip tool .

Traveling by car from Santa Barbara to Solvang takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. While traveling from Santa Barbara, expect a bit warmer days and little chillier nights in Solvang, ranging from highs of 86°F to lows of 52°F. You will leave for Pismo Beach on the 29th (Sun).

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.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): enjoy the sand and surf at Butterfly Beach and then enjoy the sand and surf at East Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 4th (Fri): identify plant and animal life at Douglas Family Preserve, tour the pleasant surroundings at Arroyo Burro County Beach Park, and then don't miss a visit to State Street Underpass.

To find maps, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Santa Barbara trip itinerary planner .

Traveling by car from Solvang to Santa Barbara takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Solvang in October, you will find days in Santa Barbara are slightly colder (77°F), and nights are about the same (53°F). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can go by car to Malibu.

Malibu is a beach city in Los Angeles County, California, situated 30mi west of Downtown Los Angeles. Start off your visit on the 4th (Fri): tour the pleasant surroundings at Carbon Beach.

To find photos, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Malibu itinerary builder app .

You can drive from Santa Barbara to Malibu in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi. Traveling from Santa Barbara in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Malibu, with lows of 61°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can go by car back home.