43 days in New York City & San Francisco Bay Area Itinerary

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

Bring the kids along to Central Park and Statue of Liberty National Monument. Venture out of the city with trips to Philadelphia (Please Touch Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, &more), Coney Island (in Brooklyn) and Bronx Zoo (in Bronx). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, admire the natural beauty at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, admire the landmark architecture of Rockefeller Center, and take a stroll through Times Square.

To see reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read New York City tour itinerary builder.

Paris, France to New York City is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is minus 6 hours. In July, New York City is a bit warmer than Paris - with highs of 35°C and lows of 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can catch the flight 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. Family-friendly places like Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard and Dolphin & Whale Watching will thrill your kids. Step out of Monterey to go to Salinas and see National Steinbeck Center, which is approximately 30 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: admire the majestic nature at Point Lobos, enjoy the sand and surf at Del Mar Beach, see the interesting displays at Sunset Cultural Center, and hike along Scenic Road Walkway.

For maps, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Monterey sightseeing planning website.

Traveling by flight from New York City to Monterey takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST) is minus 3 hours. Traveling from New York City in August, expect Monterey to be slightly colder, temps between 24°C and 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to drive to San Francisco.

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

Kids will appreciate attractions like Golden Gate Bridge and Exploratorium. Next up on the itinerary: head off the coast to Alcatraz Island, get curious at California Academy of Sciences, examine the collection at Musee Mecanique, and take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf.

For more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, go to the San Francisco trip itinerary website.

Traveling by car from Monterey to San Francisco takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in August, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) so you can drive to Point Reyes National Seashore.

Family-friendly places like Safari West and Stinson Beach will thrill your kids. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Point Reyes National Seashore: Spring Lake Park (in Santa Rosa) and Martin Griffin Preserve (in Stinson Beach).

To see other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Point Reyes National Seashore day trip app.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. While traveling from San Francisco, expect somewhat warmer days and little chillier nights in Point Reyes National Seashore, ranging from highs of 33°C to lows of 13°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can go by car to Jenner.

Jenner is a small coastal town and census-designated place (CDP) with a population of about 136 in Sonoma County, California, U.S. It is located on the Pacific coast near the mouth of the Russian River. Kick off your visit on the 17th (Sat): look for all kinds of wild species at Hagemann Ranch Trout Fishing, admire the majestic nature at Salt Point State Park, and then stroll around Stillwater Cove Regional Park. Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Goat Rock Beach, then immerse yourself in nature at Fort Ross State Historic Park, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Bodega Highlands.

To see maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Jenner vacation maker.

Drive from Point Reyes National Seashore to Jenner in 2 hours. In August, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to drive to Sonoma.

Set in the heart of one of the United States' most esteemed wine-producing regions, just 45 minutes from San Francisco, Sonoma boasts colonial Mexican architecture, including a mission.

Kids will enjoy Sonoma Coast State Beach and Sonoma Plaza. Get out of town with these interesting Sonoma side-trips: Villa Ca'Toga (in Calistoga) and St. Helena (Dean & DeLuca & Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park). There's still lots to do: bet on your favorite at Simraceway Performance Driving Center, see the interesting displays at California Missions Museum at Cline Cellars, explore the world behind art at Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and cast your line with a fishing tour.

For more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Sonoma trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Jenner to Sonoma takes 1.5 hours. August in Sonoma sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.