11 days in California 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.

Bring the kids along to San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum. Spend the 13th (Tue) exploring the fascinating underwater world at SeaWorld San Diego. There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Balboa Park, contemplate the long history of Marston House Museum, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, and shop like a local with Spanish Village Art Center.

To see reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our San Diego road trip planner.

Chicago to San Diego is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. While traveling from Chicago, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in San Diego, ranging from highs of 73°F to lows of 64°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) 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.

Family-friendly places like Glacier Point and Vernal Fall will thrill your kids. There's still lots to do: explore the striking landscape at Sentinel Dome, take some stellar pictures from Valley View, stroll through Half Dome, and trek along Four Mile Trail.

To find out how to plan a trip to Yosemite National Park, use our trip itinerary maker.

The Route module can help you plan travel from San Diego to Yosemite National Park. While traveling from San Diego, expect a bit warmer days and much colder nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 79°F to lows of 43°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to travel to San Francisco.

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

Family-friendly places like Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park will thrill your kids. There's much more to do: step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island, get curious at Exploratorium, take a stroll through Fisherman's Wharf, and get to know the fascinating history of Filbert Street Stairs.

To find other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the San Francisco tour builder tool.

Explore your travel options from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco with the Route module. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in June, plan for little chillier days and somewhat warmer nights in San Francisco: temperatures range from 71°F by day to 55°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) so you can fly back home.