16 days in California Itinerary

High in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the shore of one of America’s most scenic lakes, South Lake Tahoe captures the spirit of the outdoors and serves as a hub for tourism activities surrounding the lake.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Fri): explore the activities along Emerald Bay State Park, take in the awesome beauty at Jobs Peak, and then fly down the slopes at Rock House Discount Ski & Snowboard Rentals.

To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the South Lake Tahoe route builder tool.

Phoenix to South Lake Tahoe is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Phoenix to South Lake Tahoe, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In February, South Lake Tahoe is colder than Phoenix - with highs of 47°F and lows of 22°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) 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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Badger Pass Ski Area and Half Dome. And it doesn't end there: look for all kinds of wild species at McGurk Meadow, take some stellar pictures from Washburn Point, grab your bike and head to Yosemite Valley Biking, and explore the world behind art at Yosemite Museum Gallery.

To see reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park journey tool.

The Route module can help you plan travel from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park. In February, daily temperatures in Yosemite National Park can reach 48°F, while at night they dip to 18°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) early enough to travel to San Francisco.

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

Kids will enjoy Alcatraz Island and Exploratorium. There's much more to do: snap pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, go for a walk through Lombard Street, get curious at California Academy of Sciences, and examine the collection at de Young Museum.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read San Francisco online visit planner.

Explore your travel options from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco with the Route module. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in February, expect nights in San Francisco to be warmer, around 48°F, while days are somewhat warmer, around 62°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can catch the flight 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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. There's still lots to do: look and learn at Griffith Observatory, enjoy some diversion at California Science Center, see the interesting displays at The Getty Center, and take a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Pier.

To find reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Los Angeles trip itinerary planning site.

Traveling by flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from San Francisco in February: highs in Los Angeles hover around 71°F, while lows dip to 51°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can 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.

Kids will enjoy San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum. There's still lots to do: let the kids burn off some steam at Balboa Park, examine the collection at Maritime Museum of San Diego, kick back and relax at La Jolla Cove, and immerse yourself in nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

To see other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the San Diego itinerary builder website.

Drive from Los Angeles to San Diego in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 68°F in February, and nighttime lows around 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.