📍 United States

CALIFORNIA EPIC: GRANITE DOMES TO DESERT FLOOR EXTREMES

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide. Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer. Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks. Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

Granite waterfalls thundering through glacial valleys, salt flats shimmering below sea level, twisted trees guarding desert gardens. California's extremes.

≈ 25

Days

2290

Stops

📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Climb from San Francisco to Yosemite and its granite walls, then cross the Sierra to the burning expanses of Death Valley. Change scenery at Joshua Tree, boulders and twisted yuccas, before returning to Big Sur and its dramatic coast. Los Angeles closes the loop, between sea, hills and urban energy that never fades.

Yosemite: granite cathedrals, waterfall thunder
Death Valley: lowest point, salt extremes
Joshua Tree: desert gardens, rock scrambles
Big Sur: coastal drama, redwood majesty

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

San Francisco

bay city launches sierra and desert odyssey

3 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Discovery of the Haight Ashbury neighborhood and its Victorian Painted Ladies houses

Walk on Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 with sea lion watching

Cable car ride to Union Square

🎯

Activities

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Visit to Alcatraz by ferry

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Sunset at the Palace of Fine Arts

Day

San Francisco

bay city launches sierra and desert odyssey

3 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on foot or by bike

Discovery of Chinatown neighborhood

Visit to City Lights Books and North Beach

🎯

Activities

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Dinner in the Castro district

Day

Oakhurst

yosemite's southern gateway welcomes granite pilgrims

8 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Route to Yosemite via Mariposa

Discovery of the historic village of Mariposa

🎯

Activities

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Walk at Sugar Pine Railroad near Oakhurst

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Next stop

Distance: 300 km

Travel time: 4h30

Day

Oakhurst

yosemite's southern gateway welcomes granite pilgrims

8 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Hike to Bridalveil Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls

Stop at El Capitan and Yosemite Valley View Lookout

🎯

Activities

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Sunset at Glacier Point

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Next stop

Distance: 90 km

Travel time: 1h30

Day

Oakhurst

yosemite's southern gateway welcomes granite pilgrims

8 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Scenic route on Tioga Pass and discovery of Tuolumne Meadows

🎯

Activities

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Stargazing from Yosemite Valley

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Next stop

Distance: 100 km

Travel time: 2h

Day

Lone Pine

alabama hills frame sierra's eastern escarpment

4 photos

Day 6

🔍

Discover

Route to Death Valley via Mammoth Lakes and Bishop

🎯

Activities

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Discovery of Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point at sunset

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 370 km

Travel time: 6h

Day

Lone Pine

alabama hills frame sierra's eastern escarpment

4 photos

Day 7

🔍

Discover

Discovery of Artist's Drive and Dante's View

Exploration of Mesquite Flat dunes

🎯

Activities

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Photography walk on Route 190 at sunrise

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Next stop

Distance: 80 km

Travel time: 1h30

Day

Joshua Tree

twisted trees guard mojave desert boulder gardens

10 photos

Day 8

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Discover

Journey to Joshua Tree via Barstow

🎯

Activities

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Sunset observation on Joshua Tree rock formations

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 380 km

Travel time: 5h30

Day

Joshua Tree

twisted trees guard mojave desert boulder gardens

10 photos

Day 9

🔍

Discover

Hike to Barker Dam and exploration of Cholla Cactus Garden

🎯

Activities

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Evening at Pappy & Harriet's to listen to live music

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 50 km

Travel time: 1h

Day

Los Angeles

urban sprawl bookends california wilderness adventure

9 photos

Day 10

🔍

Discover

Journey to Los Angeles and discovery of Santa Monica Pier

Visit to Getty Center

🎯

Activities

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Walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Next stop

Distance: 210 km

Travel time: 3h

Day

Los Angeles

urban sprawl bookends california wilderness adventure

9 photos

Day 11

🔍

Discover

Hike to Griffith Observatory to see the Hollywood Sign

Stroll through Beverly Hills

🎯

Activities

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Visit to a movie studio

Day

Cambria

elephant seal beaches line hearst castle coast

6 photos

Day 12

🔍

Discover

Drive to the Pacific coast via Malibu and Santa Barbara

Stop at Malibu and Santa Barbara beaches

🎯

Activities

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Dinner by the sea in Cambria

🚗

Next stop

⏱️ Long drive (5h+)

Distance: 370 km

Travel time: 6h

Day

Monterey

aquarium bay anchors central coast exploration

4 photos

Day 13

🔍

Discover

Visit to the elephant seal site in San Simeon

Crossing Big Sur and stop at Bixby Bridge

🎯

Activities

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Discovery of the Monterey Bay Aquarium

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 150 km

Travel time: 3h

Day

San Francisco

bay city launches sierra and desert odyssey

3 photos

Day 14

🔍

Discover

Return to San Francisco via Highway 1

🎯

Activities

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Last evening on a downtown rooftop

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Next stop

Distance: 190 km

Travel time: 3h30

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - United States

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.