61 days in California Itinerary

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

Step off the beaten path and head to Wine Tours & Tastings and Boat Tours & Water Sports. Step out of San Francisco with an excursion to Muir Woods National Monument in Mill Valley--about 48 minutes away. There's lots more to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, examine the collection at Walt Disney Family Museum, sample some tasty brews at a beer tour and tasting, and walk around Golden Gate Park.

To see where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read our San Francisco online route planner.

Amritsar, India to San Francisco is an approximately 22-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 13.5 hours traveling from Amritsar to San Francisco. While traveling from Amritsar, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in San Francisco, ranging from highs of 20°C to lows of 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Mon) so you can drive to Calistoga.

Indulgence is the name of the game in Calistoga.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Armstrong Redwood State Reserve and Wine Tours & Tastings. Explore Calistoga's surroundings by going to Santa Rosa (Siduri Wines & Charles M. Schulz Museum), Napa (Robert Biale Vineyards & Balloon Rides) and Healdsburg (Gracianna Winery & Stephen & Walker Winery). There's lots more to do: step into the grandiose world of Castello di Amorosa, do a tasting at Modus Operandi Cellars, and look for all kinds of wild species at Safari West.

To see more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Calistoga trip itinerary planning tool.

Getting from San Francisco to Calistoga by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Calistoga when traveling from San Francisco in November, with lows around 5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) so you can 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Glacier Point and Tioga Pass. There's still lots to do: explore the striking landscape at Sentinel Dome, get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, identify plant and animal life at Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, and trek along Four Mile Trail.

To see photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Yosemite National Park trip maker.

Traveling by car from Calistoga to Yosemite National Park takes 5 hours. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Calistoga in December: highs in Yosemite National Park hover around 9°C, while lows dip to -11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) early enough to travel to Death Valley National Park.

Extreme heat and dryness create extreme landscapes in Death Valley National Park.

Step off the beaten path and head to Artists Dr and Zabriskie Point. Next up on the itinerary: take some stellar pictures from Dante's View, take in breathtaking views at Titus Canyon, make a trip to Stovepipe Wells Village, and steep yourself in history at Charcoal Kilns.

For more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Death Valley National Park planning website.

Drive from Yosemite National Park to Death Valley National Park in 4.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Yosemite National Park in December; daily highs in Death Valley National Park reach 15°C and lows reach 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Room Escape Games and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Explore Los Angeles' surroundings by going to Santa Monica (Museum of Flying, Santa Monica Farmers Market, &more) and Anaheim (Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Downtown Disney District, &more). Pack the 18th (Sun) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Petersen Automotive Museum, take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier, walk around Palisades Park, and engage your brain at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum.

To see other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read Los Angeles day trip planner.

Getting from Death Valley National Park to Los Angeles by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of car, bus, and train. Traveling from Death Valley National Park in December, things will get a bit warmer in Los Angeles: highs are around 24°C and lows about 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) so you can drive to Palm Springs.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Off-Road Tours and Indian Canyons. Explore Palm Springs' surroundings by going to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (in Borrego Springs), The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (in Palm Desert) and Cap Rock at Joshua Tree (in Joshua Tree National Park).

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Palm Springs itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Los Angeles to Palm Springs takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 10°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) 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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. You'll find plenty of places to visit near San Diego: Carlsbad Village (in Carlsbad) and Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens (in Encinitas). The adventure continues: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, snap pictures at Coronado Bridge, immerse yourself in nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, you can read our San Diego travel route builder website.

Traveling by car from Palm Springs to San Diego takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. December in San Diego sees daily highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to fly to Santa Barbara.

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.

Explore hidden gems such as Wine Tours & Tastings and Santa Barbara Zoo. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Santa Barbara: Monarch Butterfly Grove (in Pismo Beach), Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum (in San Luis Obispo) and Monarch Grove Winery (in Grover Beach). Next up on the itinerary: get interesting insight from Calboat Diving - Spectre Dive Boat, take a leisurely stroll along Stearns Wharf, steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, and admire the striking features of Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Santa Barbara travel route planner.

You can fly from San Diego to Santa Barbara in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect little chillier evenings in Santa Barbara when traveling from San Diego in January, with lows around 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Cambria.

Cambria is a seaside village in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California State Route 1 (Highway 1). On the 11th (Wed), get a dose of the wild on Stepladder Ranch & Creamery, tour the pleasant surroundings at Piedras Blancas, then get all the information you need at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center, and finally identify plant and animal life at Elephant Seal Vista Point. On the 12th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: trek along Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, then kick back and relax at Moonstone Beach, then cruise along Moonstone Beach Dr, and finally get great views at Ragged Point Overlook.

To find photos, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Cambria route planner.

Traveling by car from Santa Barbara to Cambria takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Santa Barbara in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Cambria, with lows of 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Monterey.

Monterey is a city in the U.S. state of California, on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Point Lobos and Carmel River State Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Monterey side-trips: Big Sur (Pfeiffer State Beach, Bixby Bridge, &more) and West Cliff Drive (in Santa Cruz). The adventure continues: grab your bike and head to Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail, play a few rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links, appreciate the extensive heritage of Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard, and look for all kinds of wild species at Monarch Grove Sanctuary.

To see photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Monterey trip planner.

Traveling by car from Cambria to Monterey takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, train, and bus. Traveling from Cambria in January, Monterey is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.