California, late February
 

We are flying into LAX 2/18/17---we are coming in for a medical conference in Anaheim March 2-4, so have approximately 10 days of free time to explore. We are wondering if you could help with an itinerary so that we can take in Sonoma, Muir Woods, San Francisco, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, San Diego/Sea World/Zoo, Temecula that makes sense?

It would make more sense to me to fly to SFO or maybe San Jose and see the first items on your list and then return the rental car and take the train (Coast Starlight) south to Santa Barbara or Burbank and rent another car there.
The Burbank Amtrak station is across the street from the Burbank airport which makes renting a car easy.

>>10 days of free time to explore. We are wondering if you could help with an itinerary so that we can take in Sonoma, Muir Woods, San Francisco, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, San Diego/Sea World/Zoo, Temecula that makes sense?<<

10 days would be quite rushed for all that if you intend to see anything along the glorious mid-coast. And especially since you'd need to drive round trip. So tom is right re one thing. It would be much better if you could fly into SFO or OAK or SJC instead of LAX.

SF and Sonoma alone would require 5-ish days, 4 absolute minimum. Then the drive down the coast including Monterey, Carmel, Point Lobos, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, maybe Santa Barbara would be take 3 days. Temecula and SD another 2 or 3 days


If you've already booked your flight into LAX -- then I'd consider driving up the coast, then flying to San Diego and finish up in Anaheim.


Just an FYI . . . Tom thinks <i>everyone</i> should take trains

Meant to add -- February is our rainiest month so you will need a plan B in case of winter storms on the coast

Taking the train south from SF to Santa Barbara would require a good ten hours--doesn't make sense to waste an entire day.

With 10 days you don't have time for all those places. Days are shorter and we hope we get a wet winter.
Pick either SFO and the Highway 1 drive through Big Sur with two overnights, or San Diego.
Drop Sonoma and visit wineries in Paso Robles near Cambria and the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara. Or if you choose to visit San Diego, stay overnight at least one night in Temecula for your wine tasting.
Forget the train, it travels inland and you will see very little of the coast, certainly not the part that most people consider the best.