Magpies

Hi everyone,
we will be flying into LA on the 21st Dec , will have a couple of nights in LA, 4 nights in Vegas and then fly to Fort Lauderdale. ( Arrive the night before our cruise )
On the ship for two weeks and then have 10 days before we fly out of LA back to Australia.
Just wondering what your ideas are on places to explore during this time.
There are many places we would like to visit but are also aware of the time of the year and do not want snow storms to be an issue.
( In the past we have been to the Florida Keys, Orlando, Sanibel/ Captiva, MIami etc. We have also been to Bahamas. )
Last trip we did Phoenix, Sedona, Grand Canyon etc. In the past we have been to New Orleans, Memphis and Savanah. We have also been to New York and Niagara Falls at this time of the year.
There are many places we would visit again but are wondering what people suggest.
It will just be my husband and I and we enjoy driving, seeing the sights, eating out, relaxing, shopping and having fun.
Look forward to your suggestions
Donna

Tabernash2

There is so much to do in California for 10 days, where do we start? Assuming you mean you are flying to LA and have 10 days before you fly home to Australia?

I suggest you read through the many, many suggestions made here, get some ideas, then go from there and ask specific questions.

For example, are you interested in going north or south from LA? What interests you most?

doug_stallings

I guess this depends on how many flights you want to take. You could drive up to Palm Beach (which will be exceedingly expensive in season) or Naples (ditto). If you have never visited the Everglades, this might be a good time, though it could be chilly.

I know you've visited Savannah, but perhaps consider Charleston, which is a different place with similar but still different food. It's a great destination.

Another great places is Santa Fe, but it, too, can be cold and perhaps snowy, though I'm not sure about that.

Atlanta is an interesting city and is drivable from Charleston (it's probably a lot cheaper to fly there and drive if you don't mind a short road trip).

And there are plenty of other places in the southern states you could visit that would probably not be snowed in. This can be a good destination if you are at all interested in U.S. (particularly Civil War) history: destinations particularly in Alabama and Mississippi.

doug_stallings

Oh ... and one more thought. How about the California Wine Country? Obviously not everything will be open, but even in the off-season there's enough to do there that it's a worthwhile destination. And there are some beautiful hotels that could be much cheaper than normal, particularly during the week. And you can probably get reservations at some excellent restaurants.

Magpies

Hi again,
thanks for your suggestions.
I should have said we have already done a lot of California in the past as we always fly in and out of LA and have had many stays for a week or so in differrent areas.
Atlanta may be an option?
Yes, we did think maybe Santa Fe or perhaps somewhere in Texas.
Still thinking about possibilities.
We don't mind flying or driving?
Thanks again
Donna

tomfuller

Most times of the year I would suggest a train trip to Washington DC but not in January.
Fly to San Antonio and see the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Rent a car and drive south to Corpus Christi for 2 days if the weather is good. Fly to Albuquerque and take the RailRunner to Santa Fe.
Fly back to LAX and if you still have a day take a train to Santa Barbara.

clarkgriswold

If you enjoyed Savannah, fly to Charleston for three nights, drive to Hilton Head Island or Beaufort for 3 nights, then drive or fly to Atlanta for 3 nights. Don't cut your flight back to LA too close, weather conditions can pop up in January and cause delays.

Magpies

Thanks again for your suggestions.
San Antonio could be a possibility. How far is Corpus Christi by car?
What is there to do in Albuquerque?
Will there be sone in Santa Fe?
I remember seeing a sign for Hilton Head when I was down that way ( did a President stay in that area ???) The name rings a bell.
Have been to the Atlanta airport many times but never got out.
Yes, the weather conditions are a big consideration for us.
Thanks for suggestions.
Will have to do a bit more research.
Donna

easytraveler

I agree with Clark's idea.

Magpies

Thanks easytraveler.
Will check out all of the suggestions and look at distances etc.
Donna

Magpies

Hi again,
it seems that all the areas in Texas are quite easy to do (San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston etc )
We have never been to Texas before and are quite interested in this plan.
Will let you know what we decide after we have investigated further.
We are also then looking at the Santa Fe area.
Thanks again
Donna

tomfuller

It's only 2 hours 10 minutes from San Antonio to Corpus Christi.
If you don't want to stay in the city, cross over the causeway and go north to Port Aransas.

Magpies

Thanks tomfuller.
Do you have any hotel recomendations for San Antonio and CC or Port Aransas? What is the weather likely to be at this time?
We may then go to Santa Fe. Any suggestions for this area?
Thanks
Donna

easytraveler

You asked about Albuquerque. Much as I have a love of that part of the country, for the type of trip that you are planning, IMHO, Albuquerque would be better combined with Santa Fe and with other closeby areas, possibly during spring or autumn when it is not too hot and Santa Fe may not possibly be snowed in.

There's art. The art of Georgia O'Keefe which may take you to Abiquiu. There's also a plethora of Indian art and architecture, such as Taos, Acoma and the museums in Albuquerque.

North of Albuquerque is the site of the laboratory which germinated the first atomic bomb, which may lead you to Los Alamos.

There are places to go hiking, such as Bandelier and Tent Rock and the trails to the petroglyphs.

One of the wonderful things to do is to see, in season, the migratory birds at the Bosque del Apache, south of Albuquerque:

http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/index.html

Then there's the balloom festival:

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/


In sum, there are many things to do in Albuquerque and environs, but not in December, IMHO. Better at another time in better weather if it is at all possible for you.

Magpies

Thanks easy traveler.
The weather is a big consideration for us and I know it is not the ideal time to vist some places but this is when our holiday is.
Thanks for the tips
Donna

Magpies

Hi again,
if anyone has any hotel recomendations for the areas mentioned, please let us know.
Thanks again
Donna

Magpies

Any hotel suggestions?

Magpies

any ideas???

tomfuller

Amelia's Landing in Port Aransas sounds good.
I don't remember where we stayed in San Antonio when our daughter graduated at Lackland AFB.

Magpies

Thanks tomfuller.
I will check it out.
Thanks
Donna