12 days in Los Angeles, San Diego & New York City Itinerary

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Disneyland Park and San Diego Zoo. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Los Angeles: San Diego (Sunset Cliffs Natural Park & Balboa Park) and Anaheim (Disney California Adventure Park & Downtown Disney District). Next up on the itinerary: see the sky in a new way at Griffith Observatory and take in the pleasant sights at Historic Lily pond.

Plan a Los Angeles trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Chennai, India to Los Angeles is an approximately 24-hour flight. You'll gain 13.5 hours traveling from Chennai to Los Angeles due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Chennai in May, things will get much colder in Los Angeles: highs are around 28°C and lows about 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Wed) 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 25th (Thu): snap pictures at Coronado Bridge, observe the fascinating underwater world at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and then laugh and play at SeaWorld San Diego.

To find maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the San Diego road trip planning tool.

You can drive from Los Angeles to San Diego in 2 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a bus. In May in San Diego, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 19°C at night. On the 26th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly to New York City.

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Central Park and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. And it doesn't end there: enjoy breathtaking views from Empire State Building, pause for some serene contemplation at St. Patrick's Cathedral, get great views at Top of the Rock, and don't miss a visit to Statue of Liberty National Monument.

To find reviews, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the New York City trip itinerary maker.

Fly from San Diego to New York City in 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 3 hours traveling from San Diego to New York City. Traveling from San Diego in May, expect a bit cooler with lows of 15°C in New York City. On the 30th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.