9 days in Kansas City & San Diego Itinerary

Step off the beaten path and head to Blade & Timber Axe Throwing and Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. Take a break from the city and head to Snow Creek and Wallace State Park. Venture out of the city with trips to Knob Noster State Park (in Knob Noster), Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area (in Blue Springs) and Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park (in Leavenworth). There's lots more to do: admire the masterpieces at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, immerse yourself in nature at Weston Bend State Park, see the interesting displays at Museum of Illusions, and steep yourself in history at Union Station.

For more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read Kansas City day trip planning website.

Washington DC to Kansas City is an approximately 6.5-hour combination of train and flight. You can also fly; or drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Washington DC to Kansas City, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Washington DC in January, Kansas City is a bit cooler at night with lows of 23°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can catch the flight to San Diego.

Visiting Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Windansea Beach will get you outdoors. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Lions, Tigers & Bears and San Clemente Coastal Trail. When in San Diego, make a side trip to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Borrego Springs, approximately Borrego Springs away. Next up on the itinerary: kick back and relax at La Jolla Shores Park, explore the striking landscape at Point Loma, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the San Diego trip planner.

Getting from Kansas City to San Diego by car takes about 27 hours. Other options: fly; or drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Kansas City to San Diego. In January, San Diego is much warmer than Kansas City - with highs of 67°F and lows of 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Thu) to allow time for the flight back home.