19 days in California 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 Universal Studios Hollywood. When in Los Angeles, make a side trip to see Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, approximately Anaheim away. There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Venice Beach and Boardwalk, examine the collection at The Hollywood Museum, catch a live event at Staples Center, and catch a movie at TCL Chinese Theatres.

For ratings, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, read our Los Angeles sightseeing planning tool.

Manila, Philippines to Los Angeles is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. You'll gain 16 hours traveling from Manila to Los Angeles due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Manila in December, plan for little chillier days in Los Angeles, with highs around 69°F, while nights are colder with lows around 49°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Clarita.

Santa Clarita, officially the City of Santa Clarita, is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, and the 24th largest in the state of California. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Tue): find something for the whole family at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

For reviews, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read Santa Clarita online vacation planner.

Traveling by car from Los Angeles to Santa Clarita takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train. In December in Santa Clarita, expect temperatures between 66°F during the day and 53°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Bakersfield.

For traveler tips, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our Bakersfield route planner.

You can drive from Santa Clarita to Bakersfield in 1.5 hours. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Santa Clarita in December; daily highs in Bakersfield reach 61°F and lows reach 39°F. On the 14th (Wed), you'll travel 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 14th (Wed): take in the dramatic natural features at Moro Rock Trail, steep yourself in history at General Sherman Tree, delve into the lush surroundings at Giant Forest, then take a memorable drive along Generals Hwy, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Grant Grove.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Bakersfield to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park takes 4 hours. December in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park sees daily highs of 58°F and lows of 36°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) early enough to travel to Fresno.

The only metropolitan hub nestled between three national parks, Fresno makes a surprisingly lively getaway.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Thu): get to know the resident critters at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, then take in nature's colorful creations at Forestiere Underground Gardens, and then don't miss a visit to Old Town Clovis.

To find photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Fresno trip maker app.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Fresno. December in Fresno sees daily highs of 58°F and lows of 38°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 15th (Thu) to allow enough time 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.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Thu): take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point.

To find reviews, photos, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Yosemite National Park trip itinerary planning tool.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Fresno to Yosemite National Park. When traveling from Fresno in December, plan for little chillier days in Yosemite National Park, with highs around 46°F, while nights are much colder with lows around 14°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.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Bridge. You'll get in some beach time at Baker Beach and China Beach. When in San Francisco, make a side trip to see University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, approximately Berkeley away. There's still lots to do: take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, stop by SoMa, take a stroll through Chinatown, and admire the natural beauty at Japanese Tea Garden.

Plan my day in San Francisco using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Klarna Trips.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco. When traveling from Yosemite National Park in December, plan for a bit warmer days and warmer nights in San Francisco: temperatures range from 59°F by day to 45°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) so you can drive to Half Moon Bay.

Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, United States. Start off your visit on the 20th (Tue): tour the pleasant surroundings at Half Moon Bay State Beach.

To see maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Half Moon Bay online travel planner.

Getting from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay by car takes about an hour. Other options: do a combination of subway and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 59°F in December, and nighttime lows around 43°F. On the 20th (Tue), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to San Jose.

The metropolitan center of Silicon Valley, San Jose considers itself a global city.

For reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read San Jose itinerary planning app.

Drive from Half Moon Bay to San Jose in an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in San Jose can reach 61°F, while at night they dip to 41°F. On the 20th (Tue), you'll travel to Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz remains synonymous with surfing, but this counterculture bastion offers plenty even if you don't plan to catch any waves.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Tue): kick back and relax at Capitola Beach, then stroll through Natural Bridges State Beach, and then take a leisurely stroll along Boardwalk's Cocoanut Grove.

To find where to stay, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Santa Cruz trip planner.

You can drive from San Jose to Santa Cruz in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. In December in Santa Cruz, expect temperatures between 63°F during the day and 40°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) 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. On the 21st (Wed), stroll around Dennis the Menace Park, contemplate the waterfront views at Monterey Bay, appreciate the extensive heritage of Cannery Row, then get to know the fascinating history of Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard, then enjoy the sand and surf at Asilomar State Beach, and finally cruise along 17-Mile Drive.

To see ratings, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Monterey trip builder.

You can drive from Santa Cruz to Monterey in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. December in Monterey sees daily highs of 62°F and lows of 43°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Carmel.

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. Kick off your visit on the 21st (Wed): browse the different shops at Carmel Plaza, then admire the majestic nature at Point Lobos, and then kick back and relax at Carmel River State Beach.

For ratings, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Carmel travel planning app.

Carmel is just a short distance from Monterey. In December, daily temperatures in Carmel can reach 62°F, while at night they dip to 43°F. On the 22nd (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Big Sur.

A sparsely populated area with stunning views, Big Sur attracts artists and tourists traveling California’s scenic Highway 1.

On the 22nd (Thu), take in the views from Bixby Bridge, take in the dramatic scenery at McWay Falls, and then immerse yourself in nature at Limekiln State Park.

To see other places to visit, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Big Sur route site.

Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Big Sur can reach 62°F, while at night they dip to 43°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Thu) to allow time for the car ride 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). Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Thu): step into the grandiose world of Hearst Castle, look for gifts at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center, then stop by Red Moose Cookie Company, and finally admire all the interesting features of Moonstone Beach Dr.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Cambria trip planner.

Getting from Big Sur to Cambria by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Big Sur in December since evenings lows in Cambria dip to 33°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Thu) so you can go by car to Morro Bay.

Morro Bay is a waterfront city in San Luis Obispo County, California located along California State Route 1 on California's Central Coast. On the 22nd (Thu), explore the striking landscape at Morro Rock.

To see maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Morro Bay holiday maker.

Morro Bay is just a stone's throw from Cambria. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Morro Bay when traveling from Cambria in December, with lows around 42°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Thu) so you can go by car to Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach is a city in San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States. On the 22nd (Thu), wander the streets of Bubblegum Alley.

For where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Pismo Beach trip builder site.

Pismo Beach is very close to Morro Bay. In December, daily temperatures in Pismo Beach can reach 67°F, while at night they dip to 42°F. You'll have a few hours on the 23rd (Fri) to wrap things up before traveling to Solvang.

Solvang is a city in Santa Barbara County, California. On the 23rd (Fri), stroll around Hans Christian Andersen Park.

For ratings, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Solvang trip planner.

Traveling by car from Pismo Beach to Solvang takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Pismo Beach in December, plan for little chillier nights in Solvang, with lows around 37°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Fri) to allow time for the car ride 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.

On the 23rd (Fri), make a trip to Santa Barbara County Courthouse, then contemplate the long history of Old Mission Santa Barbara, and then wander the streets of State Street Underpass.

To find photos, reviews, maps, and tourist information, go to the Santa Barbara tour itinerary planning website.

You can drive from Solvang to Santa Barbara in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 67°F in December, and nighttime lows around 41°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) so you can drive to Ventura.

Ventura, officially the City of San Buenaventura, is the county seat of Ventura County, California, United States. On the 24th (Sat), take in the waterfront at Ventura Pier and Promenade and then look for gifts at Ventura Harbor Village.

Plan trip to Ventura with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Ventura is very close to Santa Barbara. Traveling from Santa Barbara in December, Ventura is a bit warmer at night with lows of 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Malibu.

Malibu is a beach city in Los Angeles County, California, situated 30mi west of Downtown Los Angeles. On the 24th (Sat), take in the waterfront at Malibu Pier, see the interesting displays at The Getty Villa, then admire all the interesting features of Mulholland Drive, then make a trip to Hollywood Sign, and finally look and learn at Griffith Observatory.

To see ratings, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Malibu online attractions planner.

You can drive from Ventura to Malibu in an hour. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Malibu are 67°F, while nighttime lows are 50°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) so you can go by car to Santa Monica.

A famed resort town since the early 20th century, Santa Monica sits on the picturesque Santa Monica Bay, bordered on three sides by the city of Los Angeles.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Sun): go for a walk through 26-Mile Bike Path.

For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Santa Monica trip planner.

Santa Monica is very close to Malibu. In December, plan for daily highs up to 67°F, and evening lows to 50°F. You'll set off for home on the 26th (Mon).