The best 10-day California itinerary for 2027, according to travellers

California truly feels like a destination designed for a road trip. In just 10 days, you can journey from the streets of San Francisco to the breathtaking landscapes of Yosemite, walk among giant sequoias, experience the buzz of Los Angeles and drive along the Pacific on one of America's most stunning routes.

Here, I'll share my recommended itinerary to help you make the most of California's magic, inspired by our own travellers' adventures.

Days 1 and 2: San Francisco

Practical information

• Average flight time from Europe: Around 11 hours from Paris on a direct flight
• Airport to city centre transfer time: Approximately 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic
• Landscape types: Spectacular bay, rolling hills, urban districts and Golden Gate Bridge views
• Families: An excellent starting point for a trip with children, featuring the famous cable cars, green spaces and many accessible activities
• Accessibility: Well-connected international airport and main sights easily accessible without a car during your stay

Why start your road trip in San Francisco?

San Francisco is one of my favourite cities in the United States. I immediately loved its family-friendly vibe, its proximity to the ocean and the feeling that there's always something new to discover around every corner.

And it's clear I'm not the only one who loves it: nearly 70% of our travellers start their road trip here. It's a wonderful gateway to California, especially as you can easily enjoy the city without a car before hitting the road for the great outdoors.

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What to do in San Francisco?

Authentik USA bookings between 2022 and 2026 highlight three particularly popular experiences among our travellers:

Data: Share of Authentik USA travellers who undertook the activity out of all confirmed participants for San Francisco activities between 2022 and 2026. Different options offering the same experience have been grouped together.

To complement these experiences, here are my recommended must-sees:

1. A must for a first visit: the Golden Gate Bridge
Walk across it or admire it from one of the many viewpoints around the bay. It's hard to truly feel like you're in San Francisco until you see it right in front of you!

2. To discover postcard-perfect San Francisco: explore its neighbourhoods
Chinatown, North Beach, the Victorian Painted Ladies houses... Here, part of the pleasure is simply strolling at a relaxed pace and watching the atmosphere change from one district to another.

3. Ideal for a bay-side stroll: Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
Yes, it's busy and touristy, but it's still a classic, especially with family. Make sure to detour to Pier 39 to see the sea lions lounging on the docks.

4. To experience San Francisco like in the movies: take a cable car
Hop aboard these historic trams to climb the city's famous steep streets. Just hearing the bell chime immediately sets the mood!

5. To get a different perspective on the city: enjoy its viewpoints
San Francisco is built on hills, and that's part of its charm. Take your time to climb a little higher to take in views of the bay and its various districts.

Where to stay in San Francisco and for how many nights?

According to 2022-2026 booking data (2,931 nights analysed):

• Authentik USA travellers spend an average of 2.3 nights in San Francisco.
• The most booked accommodation is the Executive Hotel Vintage Court, with 881 nights (around 30.1% of nights analysed).
• Budget accommodation accounts for approximately 49% of nights analysed.

Days 3 and 4: Yosemite

Practical information

• Travel time from San Francisco: Around 4 hours
• Landscape types: Granite cliffs, waterfalls, pine forests, valleys and Sierra Nevada peaks
• Families: Very suitable, with several easy trails and areas accessible with young children
• Accessibility: Yosemite Valley is easily navigated using the park's shuttle system, but some roads are seasonal

Why fit Yosemite into your road trip?

After San Francisco, it's a complete change of scenery! Head to Yosemite, a national park that's a UNESCO World Heritage site. And it's no surprise that nearly 6 out of 10 Authentik travellers visit the park during their road trip in the West.

I understand why I recommend it so often: Yosemite offers spectacular landscapes without needing to be a seasoned hiker. You can mix viewpoints, short walks and valley strolls, making it a fantastic stop for families too.

What to do in Yosemite?

Here, you don't need to tackle long hikes to enjoy the park. Over 2 days, I suggest focusing on a few classic (but unmissable!) spots.

1. A must for a first visit: Tunnel View
This is one of Yosemite's iconic panoramas, with El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall all in the same frame. It's a wonderful way to grasp the valley's immense scale as soon as you arrive.

2. Ideal for an accessible walk: Yosemite Falls
The trail to Lower Yosemite Fall is easy and quickly brings you close to one of the park's most impressive waterfalls. In spring, with the snowmelt, the sight is particularly striking.

3. To gain some elevation: Glacier Point
When the road is open, this viewpoint offers spectacular views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. The short trail from the car park allows you to enjoy the panorama without needing a big hike.

4. To admire Yosemite's giants: El Capitan and Half Dome
These two immense granite formations have become symbols of the park. You'll spot them from various points in the valley, so take time to stop and look up.

5. To simply enjoy the park: explore Yosemite Valley
Walk, use the shuttles and make a few stops as you please. Yosemite is so enjoyable precisely because you can feast your eyes on its beauty without having to turn every day into a physical challenge.

Where to stay in Yosemite and for how many nights?

According to 2022-2026 booking data (1,849 nights analysed):

• Authentik USA travellers spend an average of 1.9 nights in Yosemite.
• The most booked accommodation is the Yosemite View Lodge, accounting for 35.3% of nights.
• Campsites represent approximately 29% of booked nights, a particularly popular option for fully enjoying the park's natural environment.

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Day 5: Sequoia National Park

Practical information

• Travel time from Yosemite: Around 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes depending on your starting point and traffic conditions
• Landscape types: Giant sequoias, mountain forests, canyons and Sierra Nevada panoramas
• Families: Very suitable, with several short walks allowing you to see the sequoias without planning a long hike
• Accessibility: Park roads are mountainous and winding, so allow plenty of time for travel

Why fit Sequoia into your road trip?

After Yosemite's immense cliffs, Sequoia offers a different kind of awe. Here, it's the trees that make you want to gaze upwards! The park is home to some of the planet's largest trees, in a forest where you feel truly tiny.

Around 1 in 3 Authentik travellers include Sequoia in their itinerary. It's a stop that adds something completely different to the trip. For me, that's precisely what makes it so interesting: in a single day, you discover another side of the Sierra Nevada before continuing towards Los Angeles.

What to do in Sequoia National Park?

To fully enjoy this stop, here are 5 suggestions for experiencing the sheer scale of Sequoia National Park:

1. A must for a first visit: General Sherman Tree
This is the park's star attraction! Located in Giant Forest, the General Sherman impresses most with its sheer size. Even photos can hardly convey its scale until you stand at its base.

2. To walk among giants: Congress Trail
From the General Sherman, continue your stroll on this trail that winds through the sequoias. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the forest rather than just coming to photograph its most famous tree.

3. To gain some elevation: Moro Rock
If you're comfortable with stairs and inclines, climb to the top of this granite dome. The reward: a vast panorama over the Sierra Nevada mountains.

4. For an easy forest walk: Big Trees Trail
This short loop around a meadow allows you to observe many giant sequoias in a much more peaceful setting.

5. To simply enjoy the drive: the magnificent Generals Highway
Here, the journey is part of the experience. The road winds through the park's mountainous and forested landscapes, with several places to stop along the way.

Where to stay in Sequoia and for how many nights?

According to 2022-2026 booking data (369 nights analysed):

• Authentik USA travellers spend an average of 1.2 nights in Sequoia.
• The Best Western Town & Country Lodge is the most booked accommodation, with 93 nights, or about 25.2% of nights analysed.
• Budget accommodation accounts for approximately 52% of booked nights.

Days 6 and 7: Los Angeles

Practical information

• Travel time from Sequoia: Approximately 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic
• Landscape types: Pacific beaches, hills, urban districts and palm trees
• Families: Very suitable, especially with Universal Studios, beaches and many film-related activities
• Accessibility: Very spread-out city where a car remains practical for easily getting from one district to another

Why fit Los Angeles into your road trip?

Los Angeles is vast. I've visited it twice, and unlike San Francisco, it's definitely a city where I prefer to have a car. The distances between Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach are significant, so my advice is simple: organise your days by area rather than spending all your time driving across the city.

Nearly 6 out of 10 Authentik travellers visit Los Angeles during their road trip. And in two days, you can already discover two completely different sides of LA: the world of cinema and Hollywood on one hand, then the much more relaxed coastal vibe on the other.

What to do in Los Angeles?

Unsurprisingly for the film capital of the world, studio-related experiences top our travellers' bookings.

Data: Share of Authentik USA travellers who undertook the activity out of all confirmed participants for Los Angeles activities between 2022 and 2026. Different options offering the same experience have been grouped together.

If you have a little more time, here are some unmissable experiences:

1. To get a feel for the coast: Santa Monica
Stroll to the famous Pier, then take some time to enjoy the beachfront. A completely different side of Los Angeles begins here.

2. To discover a totally different atmosphere: Venice Beach
Continue to Venice for its boardwalk, beach and colourful vibe. Personally, I like to group Santa Monica and Venice into the same day.

3. To walk in the footsteps of the stars: Hollywood Boulevard
The Walk of Fame remains a classic for a first visit. Take the opportunity to explore the area without necessarily dedicating your whole day to it.

4. For the views: Griffith Observatory
Gain some elevation to observe Los Angeles and catch a glimpse of the Hollywood Sign. Towards the end of the day, the light over the city is truly worth seeing.

5. For a break from the hustle and bustle: Malibu beaches
If your schedule allows, head up the coast a little to discover a quieter side of the Los Angeles area.

Where to stay in Los Angeles and for how many nights?

According to 2022-2026 booking data (3,135 nights analysed):

• Authentik USA travellers spend an average of 2.8 nights in Los Angeles.
• Grouping different booking channels, The Adler a Hollywood Hotel emerges as the most booked accommodation (15% of nights analysed).
• Budget accommodation accounts for approximately 51% of booked nights.

Day 8: California Coast

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Driving time from Los Angeles: around 3 to 4 hours, depending on where you stop along the coast
• Scenery: Pacific beaches, cliffs, dunes and small coastal towns
• Families: an easy stop to add to your itinerary for a change of pace between two major cities
• Getting around: a car is essential if you want to make the most of the different stops along the coast

Why include the California Coast in your road trip?

After two days amid the buzz of Los Angeles, this stretch of the journey is a chance to slow down and get back to the Pacific.

Nearly 1 in 2 Authentik travellers includes the California Coast in their itinerary. Rather than a destination to tick off a list, I see it as a great way to break up the drive to Monterey while enjoying some beautiful stops along the way.

What to do along the California Coast

There's no need to race through a long list of activities here. The California Coast is best enjoyed on the road, stopping along the way for beaches, small towns and views across the Pacific.

To make the most of your day on the coast, here are 5 stops and experiences I recommend along the way:

1. For a proper seaside break: Santa Barbara
Wander around the town centre, admire its Spanish-influenced architecture and head down to the waterfront for a complete change of pace after Los Angeles.

2. For a taste of laid-back coastal life: Pismo Beach
A huge beach, a relaxed atmosphere and ocean views stretching to the horizon make Pismo Beach a great place to stop for the night.

3. For a change of scenery: the Pismo Beach dunes
The dunes add a wilder feel to this stretch of coastline and provide a lovely contrast to California's long sandy beaches.

4. For a charming stop along the way: San Luis Obispo
Take the opportunity to explore this small Californian town, where the pace is much more relaxed than in Los Angeles.

5. For the sheer pleasure of the drive: enjoy the spectacular Highway 1
Don't feel you need to seek out one major attraction on this part of the journey. Half the fun is taking your time, pulling over when a view catches your eye and simply enjoying the drive.

Where to stay on the California Coast and for how many nights?

According to booking data from 2022 to 2026 (558 nights analysed):

• Authentik USA travellers spend an average of 1 night on the California Coast.
• Across all booking channels, La Serena Inn accounts for around 24.2% of the nights analysed.
• Pacific Dunes Ranch RV Resort is also one of the most frequently booked places to stay, accounting for around 22.9% of nights.

One night is therefore plenty on this 10-day itinerary. The idea is mainly to break up the drive and enjoy the coast before continuing on to Monterey.

Day 9: Monterey

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Driving time from the California Coast: around 2½ to 3 hours, depending on your starting point
• Scenery: bay, rugged coastline, beaches, cliffs and small coastal towns
• Families: very family-friendly, particularly thanks to the aquarium, waterfront and activities on the bay
• Getting around: Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf are easy to explore on foot, while a car is useful for visiting Carmel and driving the 17-Mile Drive

Why include Monterey in your road trip?

If there's one stop on this itinerary that nearly everyone agrees on, it's Monterey: 95% of Authentik USA travellers stop here.

And I can see why. After the big cities and national parks, Monterey offers one last break beside the Pacific before returning to San Francisco. The harbour is a lovely place for a stroll, some seafood and simply soaking up the maritime atmosphere.

I also like this stop because it's an ideal base for exploring nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea and the famous 17-Mile Drive.

What to do in Monterey

One clear trend stands out from our bookings in Monterey: travellers want to experience the bay from the water. More than 3 in 4 travellers who booked an activity between 2022 and 2026 chose a kayaking experience.

Alongside getting out on the water, here are 5 other experiences to enjoy in Monterey and the surrounding area:

1. For Monterey's must-see attraction: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Housed in a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row, this is one of the city's main attractions. It's a great choice if you're travelling with children, but it's certainly not just for families.

2. For some fresh sea air: Fisherman's Wharf
Stroll along the historic fishermen's wharf, past restaurants, fish markets and boats. It's also an ideal place to stop for some seafood.

3. For spectacular coastal views: 17-Mile Drive
This scenic drive between Pacific Grove and Carmel winds through cypress forests and offers spectacular views of the Pacific. Leave yourself time for a few stops along the way, particularly at Seal Rock and Lone Cypress.

4. To fall in love with the coast: Carmel-by-the-Sea
Less than 7 km from Monterey, Carmel is well worth the short detour for its white-sand beach, charming streets and Ocean Avenue.

5. To soak up a little more California atmosphere: Cannery Row
Take some time simply to wander around this iconic waterfront neighbourhood. It's a lovely way to round off the day without rushing off to another attraction.

Where to stay in Monterey and for how many nights?

According to booking data from 2022 to 2026 (514 nights analysed):

• Authentik USA travellers spend an average of 1 night in Monterey.
• Across all booking channels, Mariposa Inn & Suites is the most frequently booked accommodation, with 122 nights, accounting for around 23.7% of the nights analysed.
• Marina Dunes RV Park is also among the most frequently booked places to stay, with 104 nights, or around 20.2%.

Day 10: San Francisco

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Driving time from Monterey: around 2 hours
• Scenery: Pacific coastline, the bay, hills and city views

Why end your American West road trip in San Francisco?

Returning to San Francisco is a great way to bring the trip full circle. After the wide-open landscapes of Yosemite and Sequoia, the energy of Los Angeles and the scenery of the Pacific coast, you're back in a city that already feels a little familiar, but that you've almost certainly not finished exploring.

I particularly like San Francisco as the final stop on a road trip because it lends itself perfectly to a relaxed last day without too much planned. You can return to a neighbourhood you enjoyed, take a walk along the bay, do a little last-minute shopping or simply soak up the atmosphere before catching your flight home.

In 10 days, this road trip gives you a taste of several sides of California: San Francisco's unique atmosphere, the spectacular landscapes of Yosemite and Sequoia, the energy of Los Angeles and the Pacific coast. For a first trip, I think this itinerary strikes a lovely balance between cities, national parks and coastal scenery, while still leaving time for those spontaneous stops that are all part of the magic of a road trip through the American West. Véronique, USA specialist

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