9 days in United States Itinerary
9 days in United States Itinerary
Created using Inspirock California attractions planner
Start: Los Angeles
Drive
1
Santa Barbara
— 1 night
Drive
2
Big Sur
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Monterey
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Santa Cruz
— 1 night
Drive
5
San Jose
— 2 nights
Fly
End: Los Angeles
Sun, Aug 11 - Mon, Aug 19
Edit
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See full calendar
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The American Riviera
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.Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sun): explore the world behind art at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, then contemplate the long history of Old Mission Santa Barbara, then take an in-depth tour of Santa Barbara Historical Museum, and finally wander the streets of State Street Underpass. On your second day here, enjoy the sand and surf at Carpinteria State Beach, then observe the fascinating underwater world at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, and then do a tasting at Margerum Wine Company Tasting Room.
To see reviews, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara planner.
Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is an approximately 2-hour car ride. You can also take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Los Angeles in August, things will get little chillier in Santa Barbara: highs are around 76°F and lows about 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) so you can drive to Big Sur.
Things to do in Santa Barbara
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
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Big Country of the South
A sparsely populated area with stunning views, Big Sur attracts artists and tourists traveling California’s scenic Highway 1.Start off your visit on the 13th (Tue): kick back and relax at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, then enjoy the sand and surf at Pfeiffer State Beach, and then take in the views from Bixby Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Wed): snap pictures at Big Creek Bridge, then take in the spiritual surroundings of New Camaldoli Hermitage, and then visit a coastal fixture at Point Sur State Historic Park.
For reviews, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Big Sur trip builder tool.
Getting from Santa Barbara to Big Sur by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. When traveling from Santa Barbara in August, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Big Sur: temperatures range from 70°F by day to 57°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can go by car to Monterey.
Things to do in Big Sur
Highlights from your trip
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Monterey is a city in the U.S. On the 15th (Thu), immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos, then observe the fascinating underwater world at Monterey Bay Aquarium, and then explore the world behind art at Casa Serrano, Historic Adobe.
To see traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Monterey travel planner.
Getting from Big Sur to Monterey by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 70°F, and evening lows to 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Cruz.
To see traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Monterey travel planner.
Getting from Big Sur to Monterey by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 70°F, and evening lows to 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Cruz.
Things to do in Monterey
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
1
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1
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Santa Cruz remains synonymous with surfing, but this counterculture bastion offers plenty even if you don't plan to catch any waves.Start off your visit on the 16th (Fri): get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, then take in the pleasant sights at Shark Fin Cove, and then stroll through Natural Bridges State Beach.
To find traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Santa Cruz holiday planner.
Getting from Monterey to Santa Cruz by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a bus. In August in Santa Cruz, expect temperatures between 74°F during the day and 57°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to go by car to San Jose.
Things to do in Santa Cruz
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
2
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Capital of Silicon Valley
The metropolitan center of Silicon Valley, San Jose considers itself a global city.Get some historical perspective at Winchester Mystery House and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Kids will enjoy Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and The Tech Interactive. Change things up with these side-trips from San Jose: Half Moon Bay State Beach (in Half Moon Bay) and Filoli (in Woodside). There's lots more to do: get curious at Children's Discovery Museum, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, look for gifts at Apple Infinite Loop, and get to know the resident critters at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.
To find reviews, photos, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our San Jose trip planning site.
Traveling by car from Santa Cruz to San Jose takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Santa Cruz in August: highs in San Jose hover around 80°F, while lows dip to 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Mon) so you can travel back home.
Things to do in San Jose
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
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United States travel guide
More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.
