56 days in California Itinerary

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.

When in San Diego, make a side trip to see Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, approximately Encinitas away. Spend the 30th (Fri) exploring the fascinating underwater world at SeaWorld San Diego. Next up on the itinerary: admire nature's wide array of creatures at San Diego Zoo, admire the majestic nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, let little ones run wild at Balboa Park, and stroll around Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

For maps, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read our San Diego trip app.

Toronto, Canada to San Diego is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of train and car. You'll gain 3 hours traveling from Toronto to San Diego due to the time zone difference. In June in San Diego, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 20°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) so you can go by car 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Los Angeles: Ocean Avenue (in Santa Monica) and Disneyland Park (in Anaheim). Pack the 2nd (Sun) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. There's still lots to do: take in the waterfront at Santa Monica Pier, take a memorable drive along Mulholland Drive, examine the collection at Paley Center for Media, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Santa Monica State Beach.

To find ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Los Angeles travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Traveling from San Diego in July, you will find days in Los Angeles are a bit warmer (33°C), and nights are about the same (22°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can 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.

Change things up with a short trip to The Senate in Three Rivers (about 48 minutes away). There's still lots to do: take a peaceful walk through Giant Forest, explore the fascinating underground world of Boyden Cavern, look for all kinds of wild species at Grant Grove, and trek along Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park.

For photos, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, use the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park trip builder.

Getting from Los Angeles to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Los Angeles in July: highs in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park hover around 43°C, while lows dip to 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) so you can fly to San Francisco.

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

Dedicate the 14th (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's much more to do: take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, take in the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf, go for a walk through Lombard Street, and learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting.

To find ratings, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, go to the San Francisco visit planning website.

You can fly from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to San Francisco in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus, train, and subway. Traveling from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in July, expect nights in San Francisco to be a bit cooler, around 16°C, while days are much colder, around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Wed) early enough to drive to Napa.

Located just 80 km (50 mi) north of San Francisco, Napa sits at the southern end of the scenic Napa Valley, one of the world's major wine regions.

Venture out of the city with trips to St. Helena (Pride Mountain Vineyards, Beringer Vineyards, &more) and Safari West (in Santa Rosa). Dedicate the 20th (Thu) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. Next up on the itinerary: stroll around Sonoma Plaza, learn about winemaking at B Cellars Vineyards and Winery, admire the architecture and history at Mission San Francisco Solano, and take in nature's colorful creations at Round Pond Estate.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Napa vacation planning tool.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to Napa takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of subway and bus; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from San Francisco in July: highs in Napa hover around 30°C, while lows dip to 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Healdsburg.

The quaint city of Healdsburg is one of northern California's wine capitals, serving as the meeting point for three of Sonoma's most important wine-producing regions.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Healdsburg: Mendocino Coast (in Mendocino), Fort Ross State Historic Park (in Jenner) and Sonoma Coast State Beach (in Sonoma). There's lots more to do: learn about winemaking at Jordan Vineyard & Winery, explore the activities along Russian River, and sample some tasty brews at Ace It Bike Tours.

For where to stay, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Healdsburg visit planner.

Traveling by car from Napa to Healdsburg takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in July, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Orick.

Orick is a census-designated place situated on the banks of the Redwood Creek in Humboldt County, California. Explore Orick's surroundings by going to Redwood National Park (Redwood National Park, California Coastal Trail, &more). And it doesn't end there: admire all the interesting features of Newton B. Drury Scenic Pkwy, stroll through Lady Bird Johnson Grove, and admire the majestic nature at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

To find out how to plan a trip to Orick, use our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Healdsburg to Orick takes 4.5 hours. While traveling from Healdsburg, expect much colder days and about the same nights in Orick, ranging from highs of 20°C to lows of 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Tue) 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.

On the 4th (Fri), hike the day away at Panorama Trail. There's still lots to do: take in the dramatic natural features at Glacier Point, trek along North Dome, admire the sheer force of Vernal Fall, and stroll through Four Mile Trail.

To see traveler tips, reviews, maps, and tourist information, read our Yosemite National Park online visit planner.

Explore your travel options from Orick to Yosemite National Park with the Route module. Traveling from Orick in August, expect nights in Yosemite National Park to be slightly colder, around 7°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 32°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) early enough to travel to Olympic Valley.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Fri): trek along Eagle Rock Hiking Trail, stroll through Five Lakes Creek Trailhead, and then cast your line with Matt Heron Fly Fishing. On the 12th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: tour the pleasant surroundings at Stateline Lookout, let the kids burn off some steam at Commons Beach Park, then get engrossed in the history at Gatekeeper's Museum, and finally explore the landscape on two wheels at Truckee River Bike Trail.

For more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, read Olympic Valley trip planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Yosemite National Park to Olympic Valley. Traveling from Yosemite National Park in August, Olympic Valley is a bit cooler at night with lows of 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to go by car to South Lake Tahoe.

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.

Change things up with these side-trips from South Lake Tahoe: Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (in Tahoe City) and River Rafting & Tubing (in Lotus). The adventure continues: indulge your senses at Wine Tours From Tahoe, hike along Mt. Tallac Trail, contemplate the waterfront views at Emerald Bay State Park, and stroll through Fallen Leaf Lake Trail.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our South Lake Tahoe trip maker site.

Drive from Olympic Valley to South Lake Tahoe in 1.5 hours. Traveling from Olympic Valley in August, South Lake Tahoe is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 7°C. You'll set off for home on the 19th (Sat).