I am brainstorming sunny locations for a mid-winter break. It will be my 10 year old and me. We want more sun and warm weather. Flying out of Seattle. Considering California, Hawaii, Arizona. Probably not the east coast destinations, like Florida. We’ve been to Legoland but we are not huge fans of theme parks. Mostly looking for a beach destination even if it’s too cold to swim.
arizona is obviously an exception. A pool is great but we would welcome other outdoor activities.

any recommendations? Thanks!

Hawaii would be my choice from those for fitting your request most closely. You can find non-stop flights to Honolulu (approx. 6 hours). I've done that quite a few trips from Seattle (my home city). It's warm enough to swim there most of the year. More outdoor activties than you ever be able to do them all!

Mexico would be warmer but sounds like you want to stay in the USA?

Depends where in California but it's not really swimming and beach weather there in mid-winter in much of the state.

Yes, Hawaii is probably the best bet for warm water. Maybe Hanalei on the Garden Isle of Kauai?

Depends what kind of vacation you want. I wouldn't send a newbie with a kid to Kauai. I think Oahu, flying into Honolulu, staying in Waikiki, is the most accessible and easy to plan with the most to do on the island.

I agree with staying in Oahu and should be an easy flight from Seattle. While your ten year old might not know much about Pearl Harbor, the Arizona memorial is very well done and the film is very informative, plus touring the Missouri and the submarine.

For flights to Honolulu from Seattle Hawaiian/Alaska Air runs one nonstop a day. Book carefully because some flights try to send you with a connection in California.

If you are interested in Oahu, we can list activities... hiking, swimming, surfing, farmers markets, museums, botanical gardens, water parks, etc.

I grew up and love southern California and there's plenty to do there that would be of interest to both of you, but I don't think you'll find the 'summer' weather you are picturing.

What would you do in Arizona? What city? Maybe I'm missing something but I don't see how that would be as exciting as Hawaii (or California).

How long would you have and when in "midwinter" would this be?

Two areas I would look at are the Big Island of Hawaii and the Palm Springs area in California.

The Big Island has lots of variety - beaches, the fascinating "up-country" ranching area, historic sites, an active volcano to fly over or see from the ground...

Palm Springs allows for visits to Joshua Tree National Park (spectacular) and lots of local hikes, or you can ride the aerial tramway up to the snow in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Depending how long you have, you could include a couple of days around Palm Springs and also some time in the LA/Orange County/San Diego areas.

Big Island is a poor choice for swimable beaches (without rocks). I would choose Maui over Oahu with child.

I have had much better hiking in Arizona than in Joshua Tree or Palm Springs.

Every trip, I've seen tons of famlies with kids enjoying Oahu staying in Waikiki.

Thank you all for your responses! We have been to the islands of Hawaii about 10 times total and went to Oahu/Waikiki last year. Maui and Big Island are also well-familiar to us, but I have not been to Kauai with this 10-year old. I have not been to Hanalei since September of 2001, right before 9/11. Gardyloo, the midwinter break for Seattle Schools is February 12-20th.

Mexico is intriguing, but traveling with a child, I am a bit apprehensive. I've only been to Mazatlan myself. Thank you on setting me straight on Arizona! It wasn't really anything I could think of but someone else in Seattle suggested it to me as a cheap and accessible option (the other one was Las Vegas, which I ruled out immediately). I will ponder Kauai and, perhaps, Southern Cal for attractions like Universal Studios.

It is an embarrassment of the riches, I suppose, but our standards are somewhat high for warm weather, which really leaves primarily Hawaii and Mexico, with SoCal a distant third. We've done San Diego 4 times already, which one too many.

Re Mexico, does the 10 y.o. have a passport already? If not, you may be too late unless you pay all the expedited fees and cross your fingers.

I love Puerto Vallarta Mexico and go twice a year from Seattle. Yes everyone needs a passport to leave the country. And yes I can understand that Hawaii is easier, since for Mexico you do need passports, money is Mexican peso, language is Spanish, etc.

Southern California is a fine idea too (I grew up there) but more for doing things like Disneyland, Universal Studios, state parks, hiking, etc. likely in sunny mild weather, but temps won't be as high as you'd find in Hawaii or Mexico.

I know you said you went to Oahu last year, but since I go over and over to the same couple places I like best for me that doesn't cross it off the list (lol). Every trip is different even when I go back to the same place

suze

I wouldn't even count on SoCal -- the weather could be absolutely wonderful, glorious even -- or -- there could be torrential rain and mud slides like is happening right now.

I think this trip is 3rd week of February 2026. There could be light rain in SoCal at that time, but heavy rain and mudslides are not likely.

Maybe I've missed some input, 2016Adventurer, but I don't think you've said much about what you want to do with your 10 y .o. "Mostly looking for a beach location," "swimming," "not huge fans of theme parks"... More focus on interests would be helpful.

What is your 10 y.o. interested in? There are lots of indoor and outdoor options in Los Angeles. How about whale watching? A space or natural history museum? Aquarium? La Brea Tar Pits? Short hikes? Horseback ride with a guide in Griffith Park? A day trip to Catalina and a jeep tour to see the buffalo? Pro soccer or NBA/WNBA game?

This is probably a non-starter, but I idly looked at cruises leaving LA during your son's vacation and found one running from the 14th to the 21st, which I think would fit. It stops in Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Prices are pretty affordable and there ARE some advantages, like food choices for even the pickiest of eaters, dedicated kids' clubs and activities, kids friendly excursions like snorkeling at Cabo. Warm and sunny, safe, no rental car yoga... Might be worth considering.

That sounds fun, Gardyloo. Another idea is Santa Catalina Island off LA. Lots of outdoor activities but the water is too cold to swim in. Lyrics from famous 1958 hit song: "26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me".

California will be too cool and most likely cloudy unless you go way south to San Diego. Arizona weather in the winter in great as is Palm Springs. I would head for Hawaii, particularly Maui. I have found that looking at my potential destinations via websites that offer live webcams is a great way to check out where you are going in advance. I am able to eliminate places that I may have otherwise gone to. Liveshores.com and Livebeaches are two good sites that also has information about weather and hotels. The former is my favorite because it doesn't show any type of ads where most other websites are loaded with them making it hard to find what you need.

he is very well-traveled and yes, has a passport. thanks!

This sounds wonderful. Where would I look for more information? I am not a cruise person, haven't been on one. Thank you!

This is great. Thank you! I will check out those websites. I love the Caribbean too and was considering going to the 7-mile beach in Grand Cayman, but the flights are too long.