9 days in San Diego & Los Angeles Itinerary

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.

Change things up with a short trip to Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens in Encinitas (about 32 minutes away). There's much more to do: get to know the resident critters at San Diego Zoo, trek along Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, let little ones run wild at Balboa Park, and appreciate the history behind Cabrillo National Monument.

To see other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the San Diego travel itinerary planner.

Saint Louis to San Diego is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also fly; or drive; or take a train. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST) is minus 2 hours. While traveling from Saint Louis, expect a bit warmer days and much hotter nights in San Diego, ranging from highs of 69°F to lows of 56°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) so you can 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.

Change things up with a short trip to Disneyland Park in Anaheim (about 36 minutes away). Pack the 31st (Fri) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's lots more to do: take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier, get to know the fascinating history of Hollywood Walk of Fame, look and learn at Griffith Observatory, and examine the collection at The Getty Center.

To see photos, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Los Angeles holiday maker site.

You can drive from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In March in Los Angeles, expect temperatures between 74°F during the day and 54°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Sun) so you can fly back home.