JenR

My boyfriend and I are trying to throw together a vacation for the week of July 12. We plan to use my mom's time share but the options are minimal this late in the game. Three places we're considering are Tucson, AZ, Phoenix, AZ and Palm Desert, CA. Is it absurd to go to any of these places in the middle of the hottest month? We're both 28 years old, from New England and have never been to AZ nor CA. I love the outdoors, he'd prefer to watch TV but I think I can convince him to get off his butt for the right activities. Any suggestions of places to go or things to do would be greatly appreciated. I have to sell him on this heat.

RBCal

No, I went to Death Valley last July and it reached 122F.

Note that in Palm Desert you are only an hour from Idyllwild which is over a mile above sea level. There are many hiking trails and it will be at least 30 degrees cooler up there.

dmlove

Have you looked at HOW HOT Phoenix and Palm Desert get in July? I don't know anything about Tucson, but pretty much the only "activities" I can handle in July in Phoenix and Palm Desert are swimming, shopping in air conditioned stores, and eating in air conditioned restaurants!! (Both places -- 107 degrees average high on July 12th).

dmlove

Idyllwild is a cute little town with a lot of artsy-craftsy shops. (But what do you do for the other 6 days LOL?)

RBCal

Laze around the pool and shop. When you get out of a pool with water in the 80s into 110F heat you actually feel cold until you dry off.

Prices are much cheaper at both the outlet mall in Cabazon and in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead are also easy day trips.

lennyba

Tucson and Phoenix are miserably, soul-suckingly hot in July. You're also likely to run into the monsoon rains, so add humidity too. I'll be indoors until September, myself.

GoTravel

I think Palm Springs/Palm Desert will have the best 'scene' for twenty somethings.

1515c

There is no doubt that Phoenix is hot in July. You need to decide whether you can take the heat or not, it will probably be about 105F or hotter and in July, maybe 40-50% humidity.

I live in Scottsdale, have for many years and love it. As long as you are out of direct sun in the middle of the day, you should be fine. Since you are on EDT, you can stay on that schedule as one of the tricks to surviving a Phx summer is to get up early (5:00 early) and out. Mid afternoon rather than noon is the hottest time of the day.

There are many cooler places for a day or overnight trip, like Prescott, Jerome, Sedona, Show Low/Pinetop, Flagstaff, and there is always the Grand Canyon. If you did part of your week with day trips to higher (and cooler) ground and part for local stuff like movies, restaurants, museums, shopping and pool-lazing, I think you would be fine. There is a lot of see and do around the Phoenix area.

But yes, be prepared for heat. Most outdoor places, like restaurants with patios, have cooling misters and even in the humitidy of the monsoons, they help.

Get a guidebook or surf the internet for info on Phx and vicinity and see what you think. I know there are several people on the boards from the Phx area so we can help answer questions. One of the nicest things about summers here is that the crowds are gone . . . Phx is the 4th largest city in the US and has the problems you would expect with traffic, getting into popular venues, etc., but that is less in the summer.

Orlando_Vic

I was in Phoenix last week and the daytime highs were in the 103°F-104°F range. By July 12th, it may be 8°-10° hotter. Are you ready for that?

I think RBCal's suggestion of Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead is good, but not just for day trips. Think longer term!

Barblab

All three of these places would be great in the winter but NOT in July. It is not only very hot in the daytime, but does not cool down much at night. Fly to a cooler place, rent an apartment, cook some in and for about the same price you will have an enjoyable vacation. Save visiting the southwest for when you are snowed in at home.

JenR

Thank you everyone for your responses. After reading through everything, and telling some co-workers what I was thinking of doing, I decided it wasn't the best idea. Time share or not.
So I'm going to look around for another nice- yet not as uncomfortably hot- place to visit in July. I'll probably be posting another message soon.
Thanks!!

bigtyke

Altho you have decided against coming in July, it is not nearly as bad as the others have said. As long as you avoid the middle of the day heat and keep hydrated, it should be no problem.

I question why someone from New England would go to Big bear or Arrowhead - Isn't all of New England a big forest?

What is your reason to come to Arizona or Palm Desert other than free lodging? Are you interested in 'the old west', geology, or lounging around and shopping?

trippinkpj

I think the Idylwild and Big Bear suggestions are to get out of the heat for part of the time. Not just to see the forest. The Palm Springs Tramway is a good idea to cool off as well.

cabovacation

From Palm Desert it is only an hour and a half to Newport Beach! Wow! You can go to the beach!

You can also go to Disneyland,

USNR

Fact: Phoenix temperature Sunday, June 15: 112 degrees. By mid-July, the humidity will be higher and the monsoon rains could start. Our advice: avoid.

mlgb

No, if you've never done it and are having a hard time convincing your boyfriend, don't do it. Also, my German friend thinks people from cold climates have "thick blood" and don't adapt as well to the heat.

It was very hot this past weekend in the desert, even in Palm Desert (113 degrees). That is more typical of July, but in July it is likely to be humid. California gets the summer monsoon also, although it is more prevalent in Arizona.

Avoid.