10 days in Los Angeles & San Francisco Itinerary

Surrounded by mountain ranges, forests, valleys, beaches, and deserts, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is home to over 17 million people.

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Wine Tours & Tastings and Hollywood Bowl Museum. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum and The Broad. Step out of Los Angeles to go to Malibu and see The Getty Villa, which is approximately 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: learn about all things military at Battleship USS Iowa Museum, buy something for everyone on your list at Two Rodeo Drive, take in nature's colorful creations at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, and admire the masterpieces at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

To find ratings, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Los Angeles sightseeing site.

Washington to Los Angeles is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Washington to Los Angeles is minus 3 hours. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Washington in September: high temperatures in Los Angeles hover around 85°F and lows are around 66°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to San Francisco.

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Wine Tours & Tastings and VJB Cellars. Get a sense of the local culture at Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Bridge. Explore San Francisco's surroundings by going to Charles M. Schulz Museum (in Santa Rosa) and Deerfield Ranch Winery (in Kenwood). The adventure continues: contemplate the waterfront views at San Francisco Bay, examine the collection at de Young Museum, visit a coastal fixture at Fort Point, and get curious at California Academy of Sciences.

For other places to visit, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our San Francisco attractions planning app.

You can fly from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In October, San Francisco is little chillier than Los Angeles - with highs of 73°F and lows of 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) to allow time to drive back home.