chriskd

We are a family of four traveling with teen girls 14 and 17. Looking for ideas for a summer vacation. Time frame we have is 7-10 days in mid August. Not interested in going somewhere super hot and humid. We need to narrow it down, ideas we have tossed around are Yellowstone, Colorado,Alaska , Hawaii, and Southern California.
Hawaii seems too expensive right now, we are traveling from New York. Airfare running around $1000 each. Love all the things to do in Hawaii though. Things we like to do: biking(not mountain biking-Mom is not the best!). Kayaking and SUP boarding,rafting(nothing too rough, novices at this. We love outdoors but nothing too adventurous. Short hikes.Beach, Boating, tours, shopping(of course,travelling with two teen girls). Visiting new places.Also, we love concerts,(especially outdoor concerts) and anything music). So with these limitations we are questioning whether Colorado or Yellowstone would work for us? Any thoughts or recommendations? Here is a trip we loved.
We have traveled alot. The vacation we have enjoyed the most was our west coast trip, Seattle to Oregon(west and east side of state) to San Francisco. Kids enjoyed the day in Seattle city,especially the EMP museum. We also did the ducks tour, Pikes market etc. Bike riding and SUP boarding while at Sunriver Resort. We visited a training facility for Idirod dogs at Three Sisters Mountain in Oregon(girls loved it).Dune buggy in National Sand Dunes,and Rogue River Tour in Oregon(two highlights of the trip). Kennedys in Portland(old school turned movie theatre), Redwoods in Calif, toured an organic winery in Anderson Valley, and a Olive Oil Farm in Sonoma. A trampoline place in San Francisco and the best Italian restaurant in San Fran (I wish I could remember the name of it.
Past vacations: Caribbean cruise, Atlantis in Bahamas,Disney, Cape Cod(best bike trails and whale watching), Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Woodloch Pines Resort in Pennsylvania,and Vancouver.
We like to explore new places.
Next year we are going to Paris for our daughters graduation. So Europe is out this year.
Any ideas would be great! Thanks in advance.

jamie99

What about driving Highway 1 either SF to LA or vice versa? Maybe 3 days in SF, i-2 nights Monterey, i night Pismo Beach (dune buggies and Hummer rides in nearby Oceano Dunes), a few days in LA and maybe you could work in San Diego, not sure. The Pacific Ocean is really cold though, it would be warmest down near San Diego but you may still need a wetsuit.

tomfuller

I'm glad that you liked what you saw of Oregon. The girls might enjoy wind surfing on the Columbia River at the town of Hood River. Did you see Multnomah Falls or spend any time in the Mt. Hood area?
There are many great places to use a kayak or canoe in the Sunriver area. Why did you miss Crater Lake in favor of the Oregon coast and the Coast Redwoods?
If California is your destination, try to get to Yosemite.

fmpden

Yellowstone, at least inside the park, is out at this time. Generally need to make reservations about a year in advance. You might find something outside the park.

Gardyloo

Vancouver and Whistler. Treat yourselves to Cathay Pacific's nonstop from JFK.

garyt22

There is no better trip with that age group than the drive from San Francisco down to LA with a few days in Santa Monica and Hollywood... The scenery is breathtaking , the stops along the way are both enchanting, and educational and it's a great family trip... Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur along with the SoCal beaches and all of the Hollywood glitz will mix the trip and appeal to everyone in the family...

You can also do a whale watch, stop at Hearst, get some tats at Venice beach, or grab a bite at Pinks.

Have fun!

MichelleY

That age group would love Southern California.

ChiSue

We escape winter by going to Hawaii. In August I'd head north.

But wait, have you ever visited my 'hometown', Chicago? You could drive up to Mackinac Island and back down the east side of the lake. Henry Ford's Village in Dearborn, MI? Shakespeare plays in Ontario? Montreal?

chriskd

Thanks for all the suggestions. California sounds like a great option. My husband and I did the drive to Big Sur for our 10th anniversary and loved it! This time with the girls I think closer to LA? What about Santa Monica Pier? Santa Cruz Boardwalk? Could use some advice about what areas are safe to travel to. What are some other things to see in or around LA?

Gardyloo

Santa Cruz is a great idea - Boardwalk, surfing, affordable, but also an easy drive down to Monterey and Carmel, Point Lobos, Big Sur and Nepenthe. Fly into San Jose and it's less than an hour.

dbdurand

Here's a guide to LA. Many pages of things to do. It's a great city, but doesn't claim to be cute or quaint.

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/l...city-guide.htm

The Santa Monica pier is like many piers. It's a place to take an aimless stroll out and back when you have nothing else to do. The small amusement park there is for kiddies. Your teens will sneer at it.

Do you feel unsafe when there are lots of homeless people around?
Then Santa Monica is not for you.

If you decide to visit LA, then stay in one of the LA neighborhoods, and not just "closer" to LA.

ChiSue

Southern California in August? Isn't it beastly hot?

suze

It's rarely "beastly hot" in southern California. I think the LA to San Francisco coast trip sounds perfect for what you want.

Things to do in downtown LA: Chinatown, Disneyland, Griffith Park, Walk of the Stars, Hollywood Sign, Melrose Ave, The Grove/Farmers Market, La Brea Tar Pits, plus visit Venice & Santa Monica.

Hawaii is fabulous too but would be a more expensive trip (and longer plane ride by 6+ hrs. coming from New York).

MichelleY

Suze has it right. Girls that age love that kind of stuff, seeing what they see in the movies, the beach scene, shopping for clothes and trinkets. So, Cal weather is not beastly hot.

jamie99

Minor correction suze, Disneyland is in Anaheim not downtown LA, so a 45-60 minute drive. A good idea with teens though but I'd stay in Anaheim so you can get there when they open in the AM.

NorthwestMale

Admittedly New York could be anywhere in The Empire State... but since you're so remote to the far west, and since you... (won't be able to cling to being a "family of four with teen girls 14 and 17" for too much longer), I think I might opt to check-off the even more remote area on the map that is Alaska.

If they liked the Iditarod Dogs in Oregon, maybe they should go to Central Park, NYC and visit the statue of Balto, and then watch this sweet video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxz_OWeeiWM for inspiration.

Alaska has so many mountains that you can barely believe it when merely driving around the state. It's nature like few other places can match... and you'd be achieving such a far-away destination while still a family unit before life, college, and boys start to limit your options.

They'll all get to L.A. and California sooner or later, just because it's so popular...

I'd consider Alaska, given many of the things you've written here.

NorthwestMale

*** and no, I'm not thinking of a cruise ship... I mean, just fly to Alaska and explore the state as much as you care to do, as a family.

Barblab

L.A. checks all the boxes and I do agree that your girls would probably be all over that trip. If you do go then put the Marvin Braud bike path that runs from Santa Monica to Torrance Beach (22 miles one way) on your list of things to do. For outdoor concerts you could check out the schedule at the Hollywood Bowl, although many communities offer free outdoor concerts in the summer. For cooler temps plan to stay along the coast.

For drop dead natural beauty and abundant wildlife then go to Alaska. It is one of the most beautiful places I have been on this earth. We took our son and daughter when they were teens and had an awesome trip. If you choose Alaska then plan to bike the paved trail that goes along the coast in Anchorage. We saw lots of moose up close on it. I would choose Alaska over Yellowstone because in my opinion it would be the same kind of trip and Alaska is more spectacular.

Hawaii would be great but agree that the con there is the time involved in getting there. For that type of vacation I would head to the much closer Caribbean, but then it looks like you have experienced that kind of trip in the past.

Colorado would be a good choice. Endless hike and bike options, kayak, rafting, outdoor concerts plus throw in 3 national parks.

You really can't go wrong with any choice. Please report back when you decide. Have fun!

chriskd

Finally getting back to this. We have decided to go back to Oregon.We are flying into Portland on Aug 16 and staying for 10 days. Need some advice on how to plan logistically without driving the whole trip. Things on the hit list: Crater Lake, Bend area(undetermined),beaches on the coast-Astoria, Seaside,Cannon Beach? Mt.Hood? Any Suggestions would be helpful.
Again, bike riding, stand up paddle-board,kayaking etc. A concert would be fun but haven't found anything with tickets available. I see there is Jack Johnson concert(sold out)!
We need suggestions on places to stay. I was thinking about the Kennedy School or the one in Troutdale,once we land. Is the Mcmenamis properties appropriate for teenagers? Some reviews suggest thin walls and lots of drinking, any comments on that?

tomfuller

Any chance you could arrive in Bend on the 16th (or before?)
The Bend Brewfest ends on the 16th. On the 15th there is a musical event in Sunriver.
Dave Grisman is at the Tower Theater in Bend on the 22nd if you like dixieland banjo etc.
The girls would probably like a hotel in Hood River better than any of the McMenaminns properties. Check on all the sports you can do at Sunriver.
In Crater Lake NP reserve a boat trip out to Wizard Island.
Leaving Crater Lake, use the north entrance and go west on Rt. 138 down the Umpqua River to Roseburg. Go north a couple exits on I-5 and then take Rt. 138 to Elkton and Rt. 38 west to Reedsport. About 5 miles east of Reedsport you can pull off into a viewing area (Dean's Creek) to see a herd of Roosevelt elk.
Drive north on US 101 from Reedsport. There are many good ocean viewpoints and places to stay along the coast.
Be sure to stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory (just north of town) for some great ice cream and cheese.
If you ever wanted to see the "Spruce Goose" it is in the Evergreen Aviation museum in McMinnville.