20 days in California Itinerary

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

You've added Walt Disney Family Museum, Hearst Castle, Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop, and other attractions to your itinerary. Kick off your visit on the 19th (Sat): see the interesting displays at Charles M. Schulz Museum, stop by Chinatown, look for all kinds of wild species at Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop, explore the historical opulence of Hearst Castle, then examine the collection at Walt Disney Family Museum, and finally play a few rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Sun): examine the collection at Exploratorium, take in the views from Golden Gate Bridge, and then examine the collection at Cable Car Museum.

Plan my San Francisco trip by asking Inpirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

Columbus to San Francisco is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Columbus to San Francisco is minus 3 hours. Traveling from Columbus in December, things will get a bit warmer in San Francisco: highs are around 59°F and lows about 45°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) so you can travel 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've added Museum of Selfies, UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, The Hollywood Museum, and other attractions to your itinerary. You'll explore and learn at Diorama-museum of Bhagavad-gita and Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Get a sense of the local culture at Norton Simon Museum and Griffith Observatory. And it doesn't end there: learn more about the world around you at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, engage your brain at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, admire the masterpieces at The Museum of Contemporary Art, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Hollywood Walk of Fame.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Los Angeles trip planner.

Getting from San Francisco to Los Angeles by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. When traveling from San Francisco in December, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in Los Angeles: temperatures range from 69°F by day to 49°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Simi Valley.

The city of Simi Valley, in the eponymous valley, is in the southeast corner of Ventura County, California, United States. Your day by day itinerary now includes Rodeo Drive as well as Paley Center for Media. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): wander the streets of Rodeo Drive, see the interesting displays at Paley Center for Media, then enjoy the sand and surf at Carbon Beach, then admire the majestic nature at Point Dume State Beach and Preserve, and finally examine the collection at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Running Horse Ranch and then explore the striking landscape at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area.

Ask Inspirock to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Simi Valley fast, fun, and easy.

Traveling by car from Los Angeles to Simi Valley takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive. In December, daytime highs in Simi Valley are 68°F, while nighttime lows are 47°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can drive to Dana Point.

Dana Point is a city located in southern Orange County, California. Start off your visit on the 26th (Sat): see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, contemplate the long history of Los Rios Historic District, then steep yourself in history at Montanez Adobe, and finally examine the collection at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the waterfront at Dana Point Harbor, admire the striking features of Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, and finally take in the waterfront at Oceanside Pier.

To find traveler tips, photos, maps, and more tourist information, read our Dana Point online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Simi Valley to Dana Point takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or do a combination of train and bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 69°F, and evening lows to 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Palm Desert.

Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately 14 miles (23 km) east of Palm Springs and 122 miles (196 km) east of Los Angeles. To see photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Palm Desert travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Dana Point to Palm Desert in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Palm Desert can reach 70°F, while at night they dip to 48°F. On the 27th (Sun), you're off 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.

Museum-lovers will appreciate USS Midway Museum and Mingei International Museum. Fort Rosecrans Cemetery and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will appeal to history buffs. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Diego: Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens (in Encinitas) and Lions, Tigers & Bears (in Alpine). Next up on the itinerary: admire the majestic nature at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, examine the collection at San Diego Model Railroad Museum, admire the natural beauty at Balboa Park, and get to know the resident critters at San Diego Zoo.

To find more things to do, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our San Diego road trip website.

Traveling by car from Palm Desert to San Diego takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In December in San Diego, expect temperatures between 68°F during the day and 51°F at night. On the 7th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.