9 days in California Itinerary

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

San Francisco is known for nature, museums, parks, nightlife, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, make a trip to Lombard Street, head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, and stroll around Golden Gate Park.

For traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip website .

Seattle to San Francisco is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or drive. In January, San Francisco is somewhat warmer than Seattle - with highs of 59°F and lows of 46°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to travel to Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes is a town in Mono County, California, the county's only incorporated community. Kick off your visit on the 7th (Tue): make a trip to Yosemite Village and then make a trip to Half Dome. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point, don't miss a visit to Pothole Dome, and then take in the awesome beauty at Cathedral Range.

To see ratings, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Mammoth Lakes trip app .

Getting from San Francisco to Mammoth Lakes by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. While traveling from San Francisco, expect little chillier days and colder nights in Mammoth Lakes, ranging from highs of 44°F to lows of 13°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) to allow time to travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Thu): discover the magic at Disneyland Park and then see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 10th (Fri): see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, catch some excitement at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and then get in on the family fun at Universal Studios Hollywood.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Los Angeles attractions planning site .

You can fly from Mammoth Lakes to Los Angeles in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Mammoth Lakes in January, expect Los Angeles to be warmer, temps between 70°F and 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) early enough to go by car 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.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Sat): appreciate the history behind Cabrillo National Monument and then get to know the resident critters at San Diego Zoo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: see the interesting displays at USS Midway Museum and then let the kids burn off some steam at Balboa Park.

For where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our San Diego sightseeing planner .

Getting from Los Angeles to San Diego by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or fly. January in San Diego sees daily highs of 67°F and lows of 51°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can travel back home.