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California Itineraries and Travel Reviews United States

Itinerary in California: cities, coast and parks

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The itinerary in California described here is a circular itinerary that starts and arrives in San Francisco, it allows the visit in a minimum of 12 nights of some of the most beautiful national parks and the two most important cities of California, the coast along the Pacific ocean and some interesting Spanish missions.

The total route excluding detours is approximately 1,500 miles (2,414 km). A rental car is essential to make this itinerary, it is better to book it on time on the internet in order to find it ready for our arrival at the airport.

SAN FRANCISCO

1st day: San Francisco

Visit the city of San Francisco.

(night in San Francisco)

2nd day: San Francisco

The visit of the city of San Francisco continues.

(night in San Francisco)

CARMEL AND MONTERREY

Day 3: San Francisco-Monterrey-Carmel-San Luis Obispo, 250 miles (402 km) – about 5 hours (excluding time for visiting missions and stops).

Along the way, mostly along the coast, stops to visit the Spanish missions of Monterey, Carmel and the town of Big Sur.

(night in San Luis Obispo)

Day 4: San Luis Obispo-Los Angeles, 200 miles (321 km) – about 3 hours 50 minutes (excluding time for visits and stops).

Visit of the mission of San Luis Obispo and of the seaside resorts of Santa Barbara and Santa Monica.

(night in Los Angeles)

LOS ANGELES

5th day: Los Angeles

Visit of the city of Los Angeles.

(night in Los Angeles)

Day 6: Los Angeles-Las Vegas, 270 miles (434 km) – around 4 hours

Along the way we will cross the Mojave desert.

(night in Las Vegas)

LAS VEGAS

Day 7: Las Vegas

Today is a day dedicated to visiting the city of Las Vegas.

(night in Las Vegas)

THE DEATH VALLEY

Day 8: Las Vegas-Death Valley-Mammoth Lakes, 331 miles (532 km) – approximately 6 hours 30 minutes

On the way visit the Death Valley National Park.

(night in Mammoth Lakes)

Day 9: Mammoth Lakes-Yosemite National Park, 100 miles (160km) – approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (excluding the time needed to visit Yosemite)

Along the way visit Mono Lake.

(night in Yosemite National Park)

YOSEMITE

Day 10: Yosemite National Park

Today is a day dedicated to visiting Yosemite National Park.

(night in Yosemite National Park)

Day 11: Yosemite National Park-Fresno, 100 miles (160km) – approximately 2 hours

From Fresno it is advisable to visit Kings Canyon National Park or Sequoia National Park. Otherwise you can skip this stage and from Yosemite continue directly to San Francisco.

(night in Fresno)

Day 12: Fresno-San Francisco, 187 miles (300km) – about 3 hours

(night in San Francisco)

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