21 days in California, Portland & Seattle Itinerary

Created using Klarna Trips United States route planner
Make it your trip
Fly
1
Monterey
— 2 nights
Drive
2
San Simeon
— 1 night
Drive
3
Yosemite National Park
— 4 nights
Drive
4
San Francisco
— 2 nights
Fly
5
Portland
— 5 nights
Fly
6
Seattle
— 6 nights
Fly

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Monterey — 2 nights

Monterey is a city in the U.S. state of California, on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on California's Central Coast. Discover out-of-the-way places like Point Lobos and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Escape the urban bustle at Dolphin & Whale Watching and Asilomar State Beach. Explore Monterey's surroundings by going to Big Sur (Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Pfeiffer State Beach, &more). The adventure continues: stroll through Carmel River State Beach.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Monterey trip planner.

London, UK to Monterey is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You'll gain 8 hours traveling from London to Monterey due to the time zone difference. In May, daily temperatures in Monterey can reach 21°C, while at night they dip to 12°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) so you can go by car to San Simeon.
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Parks · Outdoors · Nature · Beaches
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San Simeon — 1 night

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 4th (Thu): stop by Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center, then kick back and relax at Piedras Blancas, and then explore the historical opulence of Hearst Castle.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the San Simeon road trip site.

You can drive from Monterey to San Simeon in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and car. When traveling from Monterey 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 4th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Yosemite National Park.
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Wildlife · Parks · Historic Sites · Outdoors
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Yosemite National Park — 4 nights

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.
Step off the beaten path and head to Yosemite, Tunnel View and Mariposa Grove. Escape the urban bustle at Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. The adventure continues: take in the dramatic scenery at Bridalveil Fall, explore the striking landscape of Swinging Bridge Picnic Area Yosemite National Park CA, contemplate the waterfront views at Mirror Lake/Meadow Trail, and view the masterpieces at Ansel Adams Gallery.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Yosemite National Park trip planner.

Explore your travel options from San Simeon to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from San Simeon in May, with highs in Yosemite National Park at 21°C and lows at 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to San Francisco.
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Parks · Nature · Wildlife · Trails
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San Francisco — 2 nights

City by the Bay

San Francisco is a top holiday destination featuring scenic beauty and great ethnic and cultural diversity.
Kick off your visit on the 9th (Tue): take a leisurely stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, steep yourself in history at Alcatraz Island, and then see the interesting displays at Musee Mecanique. On the next day, make a trip to Golden Gate Bridge, get curious at Exploratorium, and then browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace.

To see where to stay, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, read our San Francisco online travel route planner.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in May, plan for somewhat warmer nights in San Francisco, with lows around 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Portland.
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Museums · Childrens Museums · Historic Sites · Neighborhoods
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Portland — 5 nights

City of Roses

A big city with a small-town feel, Portland is home to the country's biggest rose test garden, perched on a hill overlooking downtown.
Museum-lovers will get to explore Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. Kids will appreciate attractions like Haystack Rock and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Get out of town with these interesting Portland side-trips: Fort Clatsop National Memorial (in Astoria), Cannon Beach (in Cannon Beach) and Indian Creek Trail (in Hood River). The adventure continues: delve into the lush surroundings at The Grotto - National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, admire the landmark architecture of Portland City Hall, and stop by Powell's City of Books.

For ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Portland visit app.

You can fly from San Francisco to Portland in 3.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In May, daytime highs in Portland are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 12°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Seattle.
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Seattle — 6 nights

Emerald City

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.
Museum-lovers will appreciate The Museum of Flight and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Get in touch with nature at Hurricane Ridge and Deception Pass State Park. Step out of Seattle with an excursion to Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum in La Conner--about 1h 15 min away. There's much more to do: see the interesting displays at Museum of Pop Culture, walk around Kerry Park, look for gifts at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Seattle, and take a stroll through Pike Place Market.

For more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Seattle trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by flight from Portland to Seattle takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May in Seattle, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 13°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) so you can fly back home.
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Parks · Museums · Shopping · Trails
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California travel guide

4.2
The Golden State
The country's most populous state, California includes landscapes that range from the forested northern coast to harsh southern deserts. Sandwiched right in the middle of the state is a fertile valley, home to farms, vineyards, and orchards. California's cities offer diverse attractions, from amusement parks and upscale shops to award-winning restaurants and innovative art galleries. Outside the state's big urban centers, places to visit include some of the nation's most rugged national parks, ancient forests, towering mountain peaks, and ski resorts. More than just a surfing destination famous for its beaches and winding coastal roads, California also boasts one of the world's largest economies, bolstered by the booming tech industries.
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