Itinerary Feedback

Question

Hello Everyone!!

I am planning a Alaska, Mexico, LA and SFO trip and below is the plan I have made. I would request your feedback on the plan.

h May Friday Reach Seattle

10th May Saturday Local Seattle

11th May Sunday Holland America Cruise board at 11 AM from Pier 91

12th May Monday Holland America Cruise sailing

13th May Tuesday Holland America Cruise- Juneau 12:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Mendenhall Glacier, Mount Roberts Tramway, Alaska State Capitol, Alaska State Museum,

14th May Wednesday Holland America Cruise - Glacier Bay Cruise

15th May Thursday Holland America Cruise - Sitika 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Sitika National Park, St Micheal Cathedral, Sheldon Jackson Museum,

16th May Friday Holland America Cruise - Ketchikan 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Totem Park, Totem Historican Center, Saxman Village, Tongass Museum

18th May Sunday H Holland America Cruise docks at 8AM. Rush to Seattle Airport. Fly to Las Vegas at 2:30 PM. Enjoy night life of LV

19th May Monday Drive to Canyon (4Hrs) at West Rim and then to Phoenix

20th May Tuesday Fly to Puerto Vallarta ( Mexico) at 8:00 AM from Phoenix

21st May Wednesday PV stay

22nd May Thursday Fly to LA and land at 2:30 PM

23rd May Friday Disney land adevnture park

24th May Saturday Local LA

25th May Sunday LA to SFO flight at 8PM

26th May Monday SFO Sight Seeing - Golden Gate, Palace of Fine arts, Crooked Street, SF Bay cruise, Fisherman Warf, Sausalito

27th May Tuesday Take car and drive to Monterey Bay, 17 miles drive, Big Sur, Camel by sea

28th May Wednesday Cruz Boardwalk, Half Moon Bay, Big Basinredwoods park

29th May Thursday Flight Back

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious and covers a lot of ground, combining Alaska cruise, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Mexico, Los Angeles, and Northern California in a relatively short time. Overall, it is doable, but there are a few areas where timing, travel logistics, and pacing could be reconsidered for smoother transitions and less fatigue.

Here’s a detailed breakdown and feedback:

Seattle & Alaska Cruise (May 9-18): You’ve allowed a day in Seattle before the cruise, which is good. The cruise days themselves look well planned, with shore excursions in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan. Just note that shore excursions are often tight in schedule; for example, Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier and Mount Roberts Tramway can take several hours including transit and ticketing. Make sure to pre-book tours to optimize time.
Transition to Las Vegas (May 18): Disembarking at 8AM and flying to Las Vegas by 2:30 PM is reasonable. Factor in travel from cruise terminal to airport, security, and potential delays. A little buffer is wise to avoid stress. Evening activities in Vegas should be considered with travel fatigue in mind.
Grand Canyon & Phoenix (May 19): Driving to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon takes around 4 hours, plus time at the canyon. Consider that the drive to Phoenix afterward may be several additional hours (roughly 4-5 hours). This makes for a long day; you might feel rushed if you also want to explore the canyon extensively.
Mexico - Puerto Vallarta (May 20-21): Flying early from Phoenix is fine, though factor in travel time to the airport and check-in. Two full days in PV allows for relaxation and sightseeing. Make sure to plan one or two main activities rather than trying to pack too much.
Los Angeles (May 22-25): Landing at 2:30 PM gives you some time to settle in. Disneyland on May 23 is a full day, so keep May 24 for lighter sightseeing or flexibility (Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Santa Monica, or studio tours). Renting a car is recommended for LA, especially if you plan to visit multiple areas in a day.
San Francisco & Northern California (May 26-29): SF sightseeing on May 26 is packed but feasible. Consider prioritizing top attractions like Golden Gate, Fisherman’s Wharf, and a short Bay Cruise; doing all in one day can feel rushed. Driving to Monterey and Big Sur on May 27 is a long but scenic drive. Big Sur has limited services, so start early. May 28 includes Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Half Moon Bay, and Big Basin Redwoods; note the distances between these locations can make for a long day. Plan for flexibility in timing.

General Recommendations:

Consider building in extra buffer time for travel days, especially disembarking from cruise, LA to SF flight, and Big Sur drives.
For younger travelers or those prone to fatigue, a slightly slower pace in Northern California may enhance enjoyment (for example, splitting Monterey/Bigs Sur and Santa Cruz/Half Moon Bay over two days).
Pre-book tours and tickets where possible to minimize wait times, especially in Alaska and Disney.
Consider your luggage logistics for multiple flights and car rentals; packing light and consolidating luggage can save time and stress.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible but very full. The key is to prioritize the top attractions in each area and be realistic about travel times, especially in LA, the Grand Canyon, and along the Pacific Coast Highway.

With careful planning and flexibility for delays or fatigue, this trip will offer an amazing variety of experiences across the US and Mexico.