24 days in United States Itinerary

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

San Francisco is known for nature, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: step off the mainland to explore Alcatraz Island, take a stroll through Fisherman's Wharf, browse the different shops at Ferry Building Marketplace, and get curious at Exploratorium.

For where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the San Francisco trip itinerary planner.

Sydney, Australia to San Francisco is an approximately 17-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 18 hours traveling from Sydney to San Francisco. Traveling from Sydney in December, things will get colder in San Francisco: highs are around 17°C and lows about 8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to South Lake Tahoe.

High in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the shore of one of America’s most scenic lakes, South Lake Tahoe captures the spirit of the outdoors and serves as a hub for tourism activities surrounding the lake.

Kick off your visit on the 12th (Wed): explore the activities along Emerald Bay State Park.

For where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read our South Lake Tahoe trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from San Francisco in December: highs in South Lake Tahoe hover around 8°C, while lows dip to -8°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to New York City.

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

New York City is known for museums, nightlife, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the pleasant sights at Central Park, appreciate the history behind Statue of Liberty National Monument, admire the landmark architecture of Empire State Building, and browse the exhibits of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, read our New York City trip itinerary website.

Traveling by flight from South Lake Tahoe to New York City takes 11 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from South Lake Tahoe to New York City, you'll lose 3 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from South Lake Tahoe in December since evenings lows in New York City dip to 2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Orlando.

For most people, any mention of Orlando immediately conjures up images of sprawling theme parks filled with characters plucked right out of popular animated movies.

Have a day of magic on the 18th (Tue) at Walt Disney World Resort. Have a day of magic on the 19th (Wed) at Magic Kingdom Park. There's still lots to do: get in on the family fun at Universal's Islands of Adventure, make an unforgettable trip to Happily Ever After Fireworks, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

To find reviews, photos, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Orlando online road trip planner.

You can fly from New York City to Orlando in 6.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from New York City in December, things will get much warmer in Orlando: highs are around 29°C and lows about 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) to allow time to travel to Las Vegas.

Nicknamed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert in the southern section of Nevada.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Fri): take in nature's colorful creations at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens and then examine the collection at The Mob Museum. On the 22nd (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the stunning scenery at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, then get your game on at The Roller Coaster, then try your luck at Bellagio Hotel and Casino, and finally don't miss a visit to Fountains of Bellagio.

To find more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Las Vegas trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Orlando to Las Vegas takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Orlando to Las Vegas, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect cooler temperatures when traveling from Orlando in December; daily highs in Las Vegas reach 16°C and lows reach 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Grand Canyon National Park.

The size, shape, and color of Grand Canyon National Park combine to leave an impression on visitors as deep as the canyon itself.

On the 26th (Wed), hike the day away at Bright Angel Trail. There's lots more to do: take in breathtaking views at Grand Canyon South Rim, get great views at Lookout Studio, stroll through Rim Trail, and trek along South Kaibab Trail.

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, use the Grand Canyon National Park trip website.

Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of flight and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park. Traveling from Las Vegas in December, you will find days in Grand Canyon National Park are slightly colder (8°C), and nights are colder (-11°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can travel to Los Angeles.

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

Venture out of the city with trips to Anaheim (Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park). Pack the 30th (Sun) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Studios Hollywood. It doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at The Getty Center.

To find photos, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Los Angeles road trip planning tool.

You can drive from Grand Canyon National Park to Los Angeles in 8 hours. Another option is to fly. The time zone changes from Mountain Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Grand Canyon National Park in December, things will get much hotter in Los Angeles: highs are around 24°C and lows about 11°C. You'll set off for home on the 31st (Mon).