It is possible to visit the most attractive sites and cities in California in only 5 days. Our local Sonja (see our About Us page, opens in a new tab), created this itinerary for all those who can’t spend more time in this beautiful state.
đź’ˇ Make sure to check out our ‘Best Time to Visit’ Tips at the end of the article!
Spending five days in California introduces you to the state’s two largest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco. We’ve listed two five-day itineraries below, starting in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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5 Days in California | Overview
On a five-day trip in California from LA, it’s possible to experience San Francisco, Hollywood, Disneyland, and the beaches in Los Angeles. If you start in San Francisco, your itinerary includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, and Napa Valley.
Car Rental: You’ll only need a rental car on Day 3 (Disneyland day trip) from Los Angeles. When doing everything from San Francisco, you don’t need a car at all, as you can/should book a day tour to Napa Valley (Day 3). That’s much easier and cheaper than renting a car. However, for the best road trip experience, renting a car is a good idea!
5 Days from Los Angeles
- Day 1: LA Beaches
- Day 2: Hollywood and Griffith Observatory
- Day 3: Disneyland
- Days 4-5: San Francisco
5 Days from San Francisco
- Day 1: Golden Gate Bridge
- Day 2: Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz
- Day 3: Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley
- Days 4-5: Los Angeles
5 Days in California | Detailed Itinerary
5 Days from Los Angeles
Five days in Los Angeles allow you to see the beaches and Hollywood, spend a day in Disneyland, and end your trip with two days in San Francisco.
Transportation/Car Rental: You’ll only need a rental car on Day 3 (Disneyland day trip). Otherwise, you can fly on Days 4-5 (San Francisco trip) and take public transportation or ride sharing on Days 1-2.
Day 1: LA Beaches
When you land in LAX, Los Angeles International Airport, you’ll probably want to go straight to your hotel and relax. The best place to get a hotel is close to the airport in Venice Beach or Santa Monica.
These are both walkable and bikeable cities, so rent some wheels (bikes, skateboards, and rollerskates are all popular) and explore the waterfront.
Venice Beach is quirky and artsy, an excellent location for young couples and solo travelers. At the same time, Santa Monica is more expensive and family-friendly, with an amusement park on the pier and street performances on Third Street Promenade.
Both cities are delightful, particularly in the winter when the sun is warm, and the skies are clear. You can see them both in one day, even if you arrive in the afternoon. And don’t miss the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. No matter the season, you can always try surfing with one of the many surf schools.
You’ll find multiple restaurants, both casual and posh, to eat at in Santa Monica. However, we prefer the beachfront restaurants and cafes in Venice Beach.
Day 2: Hollywood and Griffith Observatory or Universal Studios
Most visitors are eager to take a photo in front of the Hollywood sign, and there are few places where you can see the sign better than Griffith Observatory, which has the city’s best views. On a clear day, you can see across the ocean to the Channel Islands.
The observatory, which is free, is an architectural object of pride and provides opportunities for visitors to look through telescopes, learn about space, and take a photo with the Hollywood sign.
The observatory will take at least two hours. We recommend visiting downtown Hollywood, 15 minutes away, notably the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre if you have more time. You may even see a red-carpet event.
Alternative (Recommended): Instead of Griffith Observatory or too much time in Hollywood itself, spend one day at Universal Studios.
Universal Studios are incredible. As if you are in a movie! Every ride is amazing. The best ones are: The Mummy, Jurassic Park, and Transformers. It is a really unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tip: One day is enough but definitely choose the express ticket option. Otherwise, you have to wait in line for every ride and show.
Day 3: Disneyland
It wouldn’t be a visit to Southern California if you didn’t see Disneyland, the “happiest place on earth.” So, get up very early to avoid morning traffic and make it to the amusement park gates by opening time (usually around 8:00 a.m.). Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before opening time to avoid the crowds. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and good walking shoes because this will be one of the most enjoyable and tiring days of your visit.
Days 4-5: San Francisco
Explore the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Alcatraz Island, Ghirardelli Square, cable cars, and much more when you get to San Francisco. We’ve outlined a two-day itinerary below in our San Francisco itinerary. We recommend that you fly, not drive, to San Francisco from Los Angeles, as it’s only a one-hour hop between cities.
5 Days from San Francisco
Five days in San Francisco allows you to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, spend a day enjoying Napa Valley, and then end your trip with two days in Los Angeles.
Transportation/Rental Car: You don’t need a rental car for this itinerary. On days 4-5 (Los Angeles trip), you can fly and take public transportation or ride-sharing on Days 1-2.
Day 1: Golden Gate Bridge
When you land in SFO, San Francisco International Airport, it’s ideal to stay in a central neighborhood like the picturesque Marina or Russian Hill neighborhoods. While you can stay in more affordable areas like Mission District, Marina, and Russian Hill will put you within walking distance of the city’s main attraction, Golden Gate Bridge.
Bring your best walking shoes. San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the U.S. but prepare for many hills. Once you get your first view of the bridge, you’ll know it was worth it.
Head straight to the Golden Gate Bridge, or at least to the city’s best viewpoint: Fort Point National Historic Site, underneath the iconic bridge. You can also walk over the bridge for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For a shorter walk, we recommend taking a one-hour boat cruise underneath the bridge, which you can bundle with a ticket to Alcatraz Island.
While you’re in the area, we recommend a short walk to the Palace of Fine Arts, a decadent architectural theatre that transports you to another era (it was built for the 1915 world fair). Walk amongst the buildings and take photos overlooking the lagoon.
Finally, have a casual meal with views over the San Francisco Bay at Equator Coffees or the many eateries near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Day 2: Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz
Get out your walking shoes and warm clothing for another day of exploring the San Francisco waterfront. While you can do the bridge, Wharf, and Alcatraz in one day, that would be one long and tiring day, so we recommend dividing the visits across two days. Today you’ll visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and Alcatraz Island.
Start your morning at Pier 39, where you can buy tickets for a harbor cruise, whale watching, or the Alcatraz prison island tour. Then, jump on a cable car for the ultimate San Francisco tourist photo (several stops near the Wharf).
The rest of the day, you can enjoy sampling chocolate at Ghirardelli Square, named after California’s famous chocolatier, eating clam chowder at the Wharf, or stopping by any of the city’s ubiquitous coffee shops (e.g., Philz, Blue Bottle, Sightglass, Ritual).
Day 3: Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley
After all that walking, it’s time to relax. The ideal day trip from San Francisco is in Napa Valley, only an hour away by car. You don’t need to rent a car as you can take public transportation north to the Napa Valley Wine Train. Select a wine tasting tour with the train and enjoy coasting through California’s rolling golden hills. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy the country’s best wine.
Tip: Much easier and a lot more comfortable than taking public transportation is booking a guided tour which includes Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. It’s hassle free, with excellent guides and an awesome experience. However, you are free to do it on your own of course.
Days 4-5: Los Angeles
Once you’ve seen San Francisco for a few days, it’s time to explore the laidback beaches of LA, the eccentric streets of Hollywood, and the insightful views of Griffith Observatory. We’ve outlined a two-day itinerary in our Los Angeles itinerary above. We recommend that you fly, not drive, to Los Angeles from San Francisco, as it’s only a one-hour trip.
EXTRA: BEST TIME TIPS
Best Time to Visit California’s Beaches
While most tourists want to visit California’s beaches in the summer, this is not the best time to do so. Parking can be next to impossible, the sun is intense, and the Pacific Ocean is still icy-cold.
Instead, the best time to visit will be later in the year, ideally after Labor Day weekend in September or in October. While the rest of the world begins wearing their winter jackets, you’ll still be enjoying the warm sunshine, empty beaches, and comfortable water temperatures.
Best Time to Avoid the Crowds in California
To avoid crowds in most parts of California, visit in the winter and spring months of October through March. Because most of the state is classified as a Mediterranean climate, the weather may be mild or even warm.
Visitors wanting to wait a mere 15 minutes for a Disneyland ride or enjoy an empty beach in San Diego will prefer the California winter. With a few exceptions – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break – these are the best months to visit to avoid or reduce crowds.
Best Time to Visit California for Cheap
It’s never really cheap to visit California, but you’ll always save money in most regions of California outside the peak season from June to August and by skipping public holidays like Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Labor Day. During the high season (June, July, August) and other holidays accommodation prices go up by 50% to 100% on average.
Crowds and prices drop for a cheaper California vacation on the coast and in the mountains in the shoulder season (April – May, and mid-September – October). Along the coast, rates drop even further in the winter season from November to March. Again, avoid holidays and spring break if you want to save money and the crowds.
Best Time to Visit National Parks in California
Regardless of which National Park you want to visit in California, the best months for better weather and fewer crowds are April and October. California has nine National Parks, the most of any state in the country. Of these nine, four are the most popular for tourists: Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Sequoia National Park.
- In Yosemite, you’ll have smaller crowds and milder weather in spring – March, and April – and fall – October and November. You may need a jacket and umbrella, but you won’t have to wait three hours to enter the park.
- In Joshua Tree, you’ll experience comfortable weather in March, April, October, and November, and fewer visitors will be crowding the trails or campgrounds.
- In Death Valley, a desert land of extreme temperatures, you’ll enjoy the moderate weather of April, (early) May, and October. This is also a time when you’ll encounter fewer tourists.
- In Sequoia, the weather is good for nearly half the year, in March, April, May, October, and November. You’ll see fewer visitors here, and even on holiday weekends, you may find a few first-come, first-served campsites, making this park a great option for last-minute visitors.
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
San Francisco is famously cold and foggy in the summer for a city in California, so visitors are rewarded by visiting in September, the warmest month of the year. Indeed, after Labor Day weekend, fewer tourists visit this city, and the fog has begun to disappear. Visit San Francisco in September for warm days at the beach with clear views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Tip: Bookmark this San Francisco Hotel Deals – via booking.com link to save money when you book later.
Best Time to Visit San Diego
The best time to visit San Diego is from March to May and later in the fall from September to October. During these periods, crowds are fewer, the weather is comfortable, and hotel prices are moderate. Check the latest San Diego Hotel Deals (sort by rating and price) via booking.com (save the link!) and read our guide about the best time to visit San Diego.
If you love whales, visit our complete guide to whale watching in San Diego and find out about the best time to spot gray whales, blue whales, or humpback whales.
Best Time to Visit Santa Barbara
- Hotel Deals for Santa Barbara via booking.com
Santa Barbara has one of the most desirable temperatures in the state: rarely cold and never hot. As a result, this is a great city to visit during the winter months of October through March. The winter can bring some light rain, but the city remains a pleasant, moderate temperature. In addition, if you want to take a surfing class, winter waves are the best of the year.
Best Time to Visit Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country
October and November are the best months of the year to visit the wine regions of California: Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country. October is warmer and drier and a great month to visit at the end of the wine harvest season. However, November is the beginning of the off-season, and apart from milder temperatures and a slight chance of rain, it will be a quieter and less expensive time to visit vineyards.