Oh we will have a car and our budget is generous since we will have free accomodations nearby.

I was thinking that D.C. (actually staying in a northern Virginia suburb) would be perfect until I got to the last word of your post - February. It would be cold. If you want trees and flowers on the east coast at that time then I think you are limiting yourself to the Carolinas and south.

Well, Philadelphia will be pretty cold at that point, but you could get your flower fix at Longwood Gardens. Or, if you could come in early March instead, at the Philadelphia Flower Show!

Theater and sports, big time. Animals? Well, there's the Zoo AND the Insectarium. (Mom can be ignored while texting anywhere, right?) The history, of course, is everywhere, and you could even do a daytrip to Gettysburg.

And thrift stores? Ohhhh, yeah. And the architecture in Center City is glorious, from the masonry pile of City Hall to the unique iron-fronted Lit Brothers Building to the trinities of Society Hill to...well, the Foundation for Architecture has a quite lengthy guide published.

Happy choosing!

I am having difficulty imagining a city or area that meets all of your needs. Weather in February on the East Coast US is not good unless you get as far south as Florida - since you mention flowers - even Charleston and Savannah are not at spring yet, and early February is notoriously cloudy and drizzly there - anything more north is still cold.

Weather aside, Savannah and Charleston would be a match for son, except for the sports. Savannah College of Art and Design has galleries, theatre. There is certainly history, especially Civil War, in the area. Beautiful architecture. Dtr might be bored - unless her idea of older boys includes funky arsty types - although College of Charleston has better looking males, in my opinion (and I am mother of son at SCAD) Cell phone service is good enough in both cities so she can text until her fingers fall off.

But the weather would be a deal killer for me. I am wondering about northern Florida - perhaps St. Augustine area, but it is unless your dtr is interested in 80 year old men, that would be a problem for her. And I have no idea of art availability there.

You could bribe them both with a side trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa.

Agree in Feb most of the east coast in fairly frozen - and you won't get flowers (except at the florist) - or a lot to do outdoors unless you go quite far south - which negates a lot else (theater etc). Are you locked in to Feb?

And starting now is awfully late to organize a home exchange. You don;t say where you're from - is it a place that would be popular with tourists - so you'll have a number of options?

Liking "trees and flowers" does not rule out most of the East Coast in February, but it does affect our options. I agree with the above suggestion of Washington DC; you can visit the Conservatory at the US Botanic Garden.

http://www.usbg.gov/conservatory/index.cfm

Other noteworthy gardens in the DC area (Dumbarton Oaks etc.) will be open. Personally, I like looking at large established gardens with deciduous trees when they are bare, to enjoy their bark and amazing structures and to better appreciate the "bones" (structure) of the landscaping.

http://www.doaks.org/gardens/

DC would be amazing.

Charleston has so much history and truly is a wonderful city that time of year. Shopping is great and the ART IS AMAZING.

Philly is another great one to think about.

Charleston area would probably be one of my first choices

Super options...thanks fodorites. We live in San Diego and are often offered many home exchange options during the winter months from the East Coast. I can skip the flowers for the architecture and "uniqueness of being anywhere" without stucco and tile roofs!! Love the ideas! Savannnah is interesting , as well as Philadelphia and DC. We could try for Spring Break we have a week in April. That may be better for "weather" issues on the East Coast. I always forget about weather! Thanks. Swapping within the US is a breeze, we usually swap in Europe.
Keep those ideas coming....Thanks

Don't know if the Florida Keys fits your idea of east coast, but my family found it great for teen family vacations. I love the art, flowers and architecture, lots of things for kids. Your husband might find a trip to the fort in the Dry Tortugas interesting for a side day trip. We've rented several houses there and always had a great time. The other thing you could consider is embracing winter and heading up north to Boston. It would meet all your needs and the flower show is early March I think.

I can understand how living in San Diego you forget about east coast nasty weather - I am jealous - one of my favorite places in the country.

April would open up a great many more options. Boston would have everything that all family members would want - and while April weather can still be cool, it should be tolerable.

There is certainly theatre and art in Boston for son - and I suggest that few cities rival Boston for sports insanity.

For husband, lots of history where people shot at each other and museums and historic sites to commemorate the same.

You could even haul dtr thru some early looking at colleges - plenty of young men there. Franklin Park zoo is a tiny local zoo, but a plesant walk.

You could get early spring flowers, plenty of architecture, antique shops.

Downside - it could rain a lot or even snow a little. Boston is really expensive and you should try to stay in the city. Patriot's Day is a weird Massachusetts holiday, the third Monday in April - day of the Boston Marathon, and also school vacation week. Fun time to be in Boston - and you might find some house where residents want to go elsewhere during school vacation week - especially to go to San Diego.

San Diego! Why didn't you say so!

If you might be interested in Boston in April please let me know! I live in Quincy, around the corner from the birthplaces of the President Adamses (Presidents Adams?). Experienced exchanger with 3 BR house accessible to the subway Red Line directly into Boston.

Well April would be a whole lot better for the East Coast than Feb. In the latter, besides the bad weather on the ground in many places you will also face possible air travel delays coming cross country - that should be gone by April.

I would say definitely Charleston. Lots of sports options and Charleston stays quite balmy through the winter.

Winter here is over by the begining of March and we only get a couple of cold snaps a year and only in January or February.

Savannah's climate is identical.

Mmmmm...Anonymous, you have piqued my interest. I will discuss with DH and check on kids school schedule. Never know, an exchange may just be in OUR future.
Thanks to everyone! I am nearly certain we will travel over kids' Spring Break, and try to avoid the myriad of weather complications. Although for me the idea of "real" weather sounds kind of romantic in a naive sort of annoying San Diegan way! I will continue my quest with great enthusiasm. Thanks again.

Sorry I can't help but the title piqued my interest since I live in San Diego also.

"Although for me the idea of "real" weather sounds kind of romantic in a naive sort of annoying San Diegan way!"

I know exactly what you mean. What a great idea for the home swap. Could even get someone to take care of the pets, hmmm.

Charleston is fantastic, anytime of year, period. Do a home exchange with someone on Kiawah Island. 35 mins to the historic downtown, lots of family things going on at Kiawah, the nature trails, biking, wildlife, etc., historic carriage tours, churches dating to english and french settlement in Charleston, and Kiawah's beach is great, even in a windbreaker. Downtown Charleston is like putting La Jolla on cobblestone streets dating back to pre-revolutionary days, and the entire town feels like a set from Gone With The Wind.

I've been to most of the places on the east coast in this thread, and if I could get my sister (who lives in SD) to fly, the first place I'd take her on the southeast coast, is Charleston.

DC is fantastic for the educational value as well.

Just read about your kids. I have boys 9 and 11, and when we go to Kiawah, we hand them a two way and rent them bikes, and say see you later. Its that type of place. They ride over to the nature center, the basketball courts, village market, etc. They also have endless kayak, beachcombing, dolphin hunting type natural activities (not touristy), and when you get bored of that, you ride into Charleston and get on a carriage, or walk the market area.

tinabina,

We're in Northern Virginia, and our dog would love company either in February or April while we're away for a week each time, as he usually just has thrice-daily visitors. We're close to the subway; plus, the museums in DC are empty, and the weather isn't always terrible!