cjk

We live in St. Louis and have young grandchildren (ages 7 and under). Any suggestions on where to go during Christmas break near the ocean? Short flight(s) would be nice but not mandatory. We would prefer to rent a home or large condo. We also would like somewhere with other activities in addition to water ones.

voyager61

Short flights would indicate Florida, but you never know what the weather will be like at that time, so it might not be warm enough to get in the water, although probably still mostly sunny and pleasant for spending time on the beach. Of course there is always Disney World combined with a trip over to the coast, maybe Vero Beach.

Naples, FL, is more reliably warm than further north in Florida and is a lovely city with a very nice beach. Everglades National Park is close by, which offers some impressive wildlife viewing. And people can easily go on fishing excursions around Naples, which kids often like.

Hawaii is your best bet for true beach weather, but it's not a short flight. And there are plenty of other activities in Hawaii, hiking, lauas, etc. The best weather in December in Hawaii will be in south Maui (Kihei or Wailea) or the Kohala Coast of the Big Island (Waikoloa).

As far as California goes, San Diego comes to mind, which could be great weather, or might be a bit cool. Balboa Park is great for kids and certainly there are beaches.

Any of those places will have plenty of rental options, but I would choose and start looking on VRBO as soon as possible, because they are all extremely popular during the holidays. Hawaii is undoubtedly the most expensive option, but for good reason.

voyager61

I forgot to mention that LEGOLAND is very near San Diego, and it is a great amusement park for kids that age.

nytraveler

I don;t think you can count on CA, TX and much of FL to have beach/swimming weather in Dec. Hawaii will and so likely will southern FL. For other places with no passport required that will be warm enough look at Puerto Rico or Virgin Islands.

Before searching any further I would look at the average temps in those places to see if they meet your needs.

janisj

Depends on what you envision as a 'beach vacation'. just decent weather so one can walk on the sand or have a fire ring/roast marshmallow . . . OR . . . actually swimming?

While San Diego might have temps in the 70's (very possible) or a little cooler, the ocean will be VERY cold. So just a nice vacation w/ a beachy vibe, San Diego would be great. Swimming -- not so much.

taitai

I would go to Mexico. The flight really isn't that much longer than flying to Miami and probably shorter than California. Great beaches, good food, lots of accommodation options. A great place to celebrate Christmas.

Florida can be iffy weather wise. Might be 80, might be 55 or 60. I don't know anything about Texas beaches. The San Diego area has a ton to do for kids but can be gloomy most of the morning that time of year and the weather while warmer than St. Louis won't necessarily be hot. Upper 60s or 70s. The Pacific itself will be chilly.

Hawaii would be great but is a really long flight and you will pay super premium prices. Lots of condo options but I would book soon, especially rental cars, as both condos and cars book up a year in advance for the holidays. Also, lots of places have minimum stay requirements that time of year.

longhorn55

The Texas beaches aren't all that great and it's too cold to swim there in December.

ChiSue

When our DS was school age we often took cruises or stayed on an island in the Caribbean over his Christmas break. Florida is too 'iffy' on weather, and so are the Bahamas. We tried Mexico twice and won't return. I see that people are enjoying Costa Rica, but we've never tried it -- probably never will, as we now own in South Maui.

elizzie4000

San Diego in December can actually be quite sunny. It isn't necessarily gloomy in the mornings here either. June gloom (even tho that doesn't always happen either.) But, weather in general has been very unpredictable. Water activities would require wetsuits. Which can be rented here.

If you really want a warm water vacation then San Diego wouldn't be the place. But the weather can be sunny with lots of people at the beach playing volleyball, throwing frisbees, etc.

NewbE

I agree with the consensus emerging here: if you want to be able to get in the water, even just to splash around, no place in California will do in December. On the Gulf Coast of Florida, Naples and farther south, it is unlikely to be too cool to be on the beach, and the water will be warmer than in CA.

Mexico is a great idea--reliably warm, dry, sunny weather, lots of lodging options, and so on, as others have said.

ltt

i love san diego but would not consider it beach destination december-february. a flight to hawaii would be very long. a flight to puerto rico would be less then 1/2 the time.

sanderskn

I think San Diego would be the perfect city for you. Lots to do with kids and great beaches. Check out rentals in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach or La Jolla. For activities other than beach time: the world famous zoo, many museums at Balboa Park and the park itself, cruises in the bay, naval sights, etc.

gail

Puerto Rico. Flights are $500 with 1-stop. No passports needed. Same US money. Cell phones work. A variety of lodging options. There is history, natural beauty, beaches, good food.

I am guessing you never would have considered PR. Me neither until I went there a year ago.