17 California Itineraries That Will Make You Fall in Love with the West Coast

California is the stuff of dreams. From spectacular beaches to snowcapped mountains and iconic cities, the Golden State is famous for good reason. I've published a lot of itineraries on the California Wayfaring blog, and today I want to pull them all together in one place. My blog post will show you the highlights of California, from Lake Almanor to Los Angeles and beyond. I've included a map, too.

California Itineraries

California is not only one of my favorite places to travel in the US, but also one of my top picks for an all-around destination. The state has a bit of everything, from coastal scenery to charming towns and great cities.

Having grown up in the Bay Area, I've been exploring California all my life. I spent nearly all the weekends of my childhood in Santa Cruz, and I've lived everywhere from San Diego to San Francisco. In recent years I've done everything from day trips to road trips, and I've shared about all of them here on the blog. From Mendocino to Mammoth, I've covered a lot of California.

I hope to bring you many more California itineraries in the future. I'll add them to this blog post as I publish them. If you want to bookmark this post or pin it on Pinterest, you can use it as an easy reference for finding all my past, present, and future travel guides.

1. San Francisco

I'll start my list with my San Francisco itineraries. From 1 day to 5 days, I've written detailed guides to how to spend your time in the City by the Bay. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned one, they have you covered.

In addition to the big attractions, my itineraries will show you delicious places to eat, and local areas most visitors miss. There's a great place to stay if you're able to spend a night or more here, too.

If experiencing some of the best of San Francisco sounds good to you, you can see all my itineraries here. This city is one of my favorite places in California, and I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

2. Los Angeles

Next come my Los Angeles itineraries. The City of Angels is one of the most visited places in California, after all, and there's plenty to entertain you. Whether you want to see the big attractions, go to the beach, or explore places locals love, there's something for you.

My itineraries will let you experience a mix of sightseeing, restaurants, and shopping. From 1 day to 6 days, they'll show you a range of things to do in whatever amount of time you have in the city. There's also a fun place to stay if you're able to make your trip an overnight one.

If discovering a variety of things to do in Los Angeles sounds good to you, you can see all my itineraries here. They're fun ones for first-time visitors and regulars alike.

3. Central Coast

Next on my list is the Central Coast. My itineraries for this part of California are great if you want to visit famous places like Carmel, Big Sur, Cambria, and Santa Barbara.

The itineraries cover a range of places to visit and things to do on the Central Coast. From Monterey to the Santa Ynez Valley, they have it all. Whether you want to spend a day or a week visiting this part of the state, you'll find one to fit your travel style and preferences.

If that appeals, you can check out my guides on my blog post with all my Central Coast itineraries. They'll show you how to have a fun trip to this part of California.

4. Napa Valley

My next set of itineraries revolves around one of the most famous places in California: Napa Valley. If you're interested in exploring some of the state's iconic vineyards and wineries, these guides are for you.

From day trips to multi-day adventures, my itineraries cover the best of Napa Valley. They'll show you where to go wine tasting, where to eat, and where to stay. They're equally great for Bay Area locals and visitors from all over the world. Some of the itineraries combine Napa with neighboring Sonoma, too.

These itineraries are ideal if you want to experience the best of Northern California's wine country. If that appeals, you can see the full guides on my blog post with all my Napa itineraries.

5. Road Trips

The next group of my California itineraries is my road trip guides. If you want to explore the state by car, they're for you. From one-day drives to multi-day expeditions, there's a range that will tempt your inner traveler.

The itineraries cover everywhere from Mendocino to Monterey and Malibu. Whether you're looking to cruise along the coast on Highway 1 or explore inland on Highway 101, there's a road trip for you. I've included great places to stay along the routes, too.

If seeing California by car appeals, you can find all the details on my blog post about the best road trip itineraries. They're perfect if you want to experience a mix of classic areas and less visited ones.

6. Yosemite National Park

The next set of my itineraries is based around Yosemite National Park. These guides are great for first-timers who want to see the highlights and repeat visitors looking to discover as much of this famous part of California as possible.

The guides feature the best things to do in Yosemite. From stunning views to waterfalls and hikes, they have it all. The itineraries also feature great restaurants, hotels, and local highlights. Whether you have 48 hours or 4 days, you'll find one that fits your needs.

If that all sounds good, you can see the details on my blog post about the best Yosemite itineraries. They're ideal if you want to discover a range of what this iconic part of the Golden State has to offer.

7. Lake Tahoe

Speaking of the great outdoors, the next group of itineraries on my list is perfect if you want to visit Lake Tahoe. Not only does it cover the highlights of this part of the Sierra Nevada, but also a range of things to do and see on and around the water.

The itineraries feature a lot of the main things to do in Tahoe in the warmer months. From hiking to shopping and places to stay, they'll show you a broad range of experiences. They also include local restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes.

If experiencing some of the best of Lake Tahoe sounds like your kind of getaway, you can take a look at my itinerary for 2 days in summer or my guide to 4 days in Tahoe. They're perfect for first-time visitors and regulars alike.

8. Sonoma County

My next set of California itineraries covers Sonoma County. These guides are ideal if you enjoy visiting cute towns and going wine tasting. They offer a mix of local spots, famous filming locations, coastal gems, and world-class vineyards.

The itineraries range from day trips to multi-day getaways. Some include stays at beautiful hotels, others cover shopping, sightseeing, and wine tasting, and still more combine time in Sonoma Valley with stints in Napa Valley. From Healdsburg to Guerneville and Jenner, they cover a lot of ground.

If experiencing a range of what this county has to offer appeals, you can see all my Sonoma itineraries here. They're perfect if you like going wine tasting and discovering places locals love.

9. Catalina Island

The next of my itineraries is for a 2-day getaway to Catalina Island. It's just the thing if you have a weekend or mid-week break in Southern California and you like experiencing a mix of beaches, restaurants, shopping, hiking, and cute towns.

This itinerary includes a stay at a hilltop hotel, the highlights of Avalon, beach time, a hike with views, and more. It also features great places to eat and drink on the island.

If spending a couple days experiencing a variety of things to do in Catalina sounds like your kind of getaway, you can see the full itinerary here. It's perfect if you want a big mix of what the island has to offer visitors.

10. Mendocino County

The next set of my itineraries is for Mendocino County. They're perfect guides if you want to experience the best of this stunning part of Northern California.

The itineraries cover a range of things to do and places to explore both on the coast and inland. They include great local hotels, beaches, famous restaurants, hikes, kayaking, wine tasting, and more. Whether you want to explore the charming village of Mendocino, ride a train through the redwoods, or hike along a river, they have you covered.

If discovering the highlights of Mendocino County sounds like your kind of getaway, you can take a look at my guide to a road trip, my itinerary for 48 hours, and my blog post about how to spend a long weekend here. They're fun ones whether you're new to the area or a regular visitor.

11. Disneyland

The next of my itineraries covers one of the most famous places in California. Disneyland needs no introduction, and it goes without saying that it's worth a special trip.

My itinerary covers a visit to Disneyland in early November. This is a great time to visit the theme park for a number of reasons, all of which you'll find in my blog post.

If basing yourself right in Disneyland and exploring the highlights of the park (and California Adventure) appeals, you can see the full itinerary here. It's a fun one if you love visiting The Happiest Place On Earth.

12. Marin County

The next group of my itineraries is for you if you want to see the highlights of Marin County. From exploring Point Reyes and Tomales Bay to visiting Bolinas and eating delicious seafood, it covers a range of places to go and things to do.

The itineraries cover everything from day trips to overnight getaways. They include plenty of coastal gems, famous restaurants, local towns, hikes, beaches, and more. There's a great local hotel I recommend, too.

If you like the sound of these trips, you can take a look at my guides to Bolinas, Tomales Bay, West Marin, and 2 days in Tomales Bay and Point Reyes. They're great ones if you want to get an overview of a number of places in Marin County and experience the highlights of what the area has to offer.

13. East Bay

My next set of itineraries covers the East Bay. Many visitors miss this part of the Bay Area while visiting San Francisco, but it's worth a special trip. My guides will show you a good overview of several places.

From Berkeley to Oakland, there's a lot to discover in the East Bay. Whether you want to visit a college town with great restaurants and unique culture or a vibrant city with a multicultural identity and a strong food and drink scene, this part of California has you covered.

If that appeals, you can take a look at my itinerary for a day trip to Berkeley and my guide to spending 36 hours in Oakland. If you have time, you can even combine the two into one trip.

14. Mammoth Lakes

The next of my itineraries is for a trip to Mammoth Lakes in summer. If you love the mountains in the warmer months, this is a perfect one. It will show you a broad range of things to do in and around Mammoth.

The itinerary features everything from hikes to ghost towns and restaurants. Whether you like stunning mountain scenery, good food, or famous lakes, it has something for you.

If visiting this part of the eastern Sierra Nevada sounds good to you, you can see the full itinerary here. This one is for you if you want to get a feel for what you can do in Mammoth in summer.

15. Sacramento

Back to cities, my next itinerary is for Sacramento. If you want to explore the state capital, it's for you. It covers a broad range of things to do and see in the city, and you'll get to experience a lot of the highlights.

The itinerary features everything from historic Old Sacramento to local restaurants, markets, museums, and a unique place to stay. You'll get to see great street art, have cocktails in a cool space, and take in the city's famous Victorians.

If discovering Sacramento appeals, you can see the full itinerary here. This one is for you if you have a couple days to explore and you want to see the best of one of the most historic cities in California.

16. Half Moon Bay

Back on the coast, my next California itinerary is for Half Moon Bay. This famous city in San Mateo County is a great place to surf, eat, drink, and soak up the scenery.

My itinerary covers a trip to Half Moon Bay in fall. This is a great time to be here, as there's an abundance of pumpkin patches. The weather is usually better than in the foggy summer months, too.

If that sounds like your kind of autumnal trip, you can see my itinerary here. It's a great one for a seasonal getaway, and there's a fun hotel, too.

17. Lake Almanor

Up north, the next of my itineraries is for a trip to Lake Almanor. This stunning place flies under the radar for a lot of locals and visitors, but it's worth a special trip in the summer months (especially if you can visit over the 4th of July).

My itinerary covers everything from water activities to restaurants, events, and other things to do and see. It's a great one for first-time visitors to this part of Northern California.

If you're intrigued, you can see the full itinerary on my blog post about how to spend 4 days in Lake Almanor in summer. It's a great escape!

Map of California Itineraries

California Itineraries

I hope my itineraries have inspired you to visit California (or explore more of it if you live here!). There's so much to do and see, whether you want to discover the coast or experience the inland areas. Wherever you go, I'm sure you'll love the Golden State as much as I do.

Find this helpful? Buy me a coffee!

Pin it!