15 days in California Itinerary

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Relax by the water at Carmel River State Beach and Pfeiffer State Beach. Old Fisherman's Wharf and Blair Estate Tasting Room are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Carmel: Big Sur (McWay Falls & Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Asilomar State Beach, immerse yourself in nature at Point Lobos, and see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour.

To see where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Carmel trip itinerary planner.

London, UK to Carmel is an approximately 14-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Carmel is minus 8 hours. In May, daily temperatures in Carmel can reach 21°C, while at night they dip to 12°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) so you can go by car to San Simeon.

When you arrive in tiny San Simeon, which lies halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you can see why William Randolph Hearst chose this coastal locale for his famous hilltop castle.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Sat): visit a coastal fixture at Piedras Blancas Light Station, kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas, then look for gifts at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center, and finally identify plant and animal life at Elephant Seal Vista Point.

To find more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read San Simeon trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by car from Carmel to San Simeon takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and taxi. When traveling from Carmel in May, plan for somewhat warmer days in San Simeon, with highs around 32°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Sat) early enough to drive 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.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Sun): take a leisurely stroll along Stearns Wharf and then indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 15th (Mon): admire the landmark architecture of Santa Barbara County Courthouse, steep yourself in history at Old Mission Santa Barbara, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Santa Barbara Zoo, and finally take in the waterfront at Santa Barbara Harbor.

To find more things to do, photos, ratings, and tourist information, use the Santa Barbara trip planner.

You can drive from San Simeon to Santa Barbara in 3 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from San Simeon in May, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Santa Barbara: temperatures range from 25°C by day to 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to fly 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.

You'll get in some beach time at Coronado Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach. Your inner history buff will appreciate Old Point Loma Lighthouse and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Diego: Dolphin & Whale Watching (in Dana Point), Lions, Tigers & Bears (in Alpine) and San Clemente Pier (in San Clemente). The adventure continues: stroll through Pacific Beach, contemplate the long history of Whaley House Museum, take in the views from Coronado Bridge, and walk around Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the San Diego online route planner.

Traveling by flight from Santa Barbara to San Diego takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Santa Barbara in May, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in San Diego, with lows of 19°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

With mountain peaks reaching past 4,250 m (14,000 ft) and trees stretching to over 75 m (250 ft) high, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks present nature on a grand scale.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Sat): delve into the lush surroundings at Giant Forest, steep yourself in history at General Sherman Tree, and then hike along Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park. Keep things going the next day: explore the striking landscape of Kings Canyon National Park, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Big Stump Basin, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Moro Rock Trail.

To see more things to do, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip itinerary builder site.

Getting from San Diego to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and bus. When traveling from San Diego in May, plan for somewhat warmer days and little chillier nights in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 15°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) early enough to 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.

On the 22nd (Mon), admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, identify plant and animal life at Nature Center at Happy Isles, take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point, then get great views at Yosemite, Tunnel View, then explore the striking landscape of Bridalveil Fall, and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Yosemite Falls. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the striking landscape of Pioneer Yosemite History Center, then hike along Mariposa Grove, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Shadow of the Giants Trail.

To see ratings, photos, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Yosemite National Park sightseeing planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park. While traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, expect little chillier days and much colder nights in Yosemite National Park, ranging from highs of 21°C to lows of 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) to allow time to fly back home.