AP30

Need some help deciding where to celebrate my 30th Birthday this year, below are the details

When Early July
Group of 6-12 all mid 20s-early 30s, mixed guys and girls, no couples
looking at around 5 days
like anything outdoors /adventure sports, bars, beaches, mountains, enjoy taking in cool, interesting local scenes during travel
Already done: Vegas, DC, New Orleans, New York, Reno /Tahoe, a Cruise, Nashville
Most Likely looking to stay domestic for time/budget constraints but open to abroad oppportunities.

Thanks in advance for your help

Tomsd

Where are you starting from?

And do you have a preference for beaches v. mountains?

AP30

I'm leaning more towards beach but open if there is a place haven't heard of that's cool...most of the group are not big backpackers/campers which is why leaning towards beach

Tomsd

Ok - and are you all departing from the same area?

Out here - we are partial to San Diego.

sunbum1944

Bend Oregon- you can hike, bike, raft, kayak, visit lots of brewpubs, - or do nothing and sit around a resort. Sunriver - close to Bend- is a great place- you could rent a house there- and if time permits, you could spend a couple of days on the Oregon coast too .

or

I just came back from wine tasting in Sonoma- lots to offer in that area including time at the beach if you want, We had a great time!!

AP30

I've heard good things about San Diego...yes all departing from the Southeast

Tomsd

Being from the Southeast - you are no doubt familiar with humidity. I loved Florida in the winter - but am not a big fan when it gets humid, and out here on the "left" coast - we really don't have that much humidity.

If you did come to San Diego - (here is one guide - http://www.sandiego.org/articles/sum...san-diego.aspx and check other posts in here under California too) - you could enjoy the beaches, and also one day maybe get up to the hills around Julian ( http://www.julianca.com/attractions/index.htm and try their great apple pie and also - explore some old mines) - or even drive up to Orange County (an hour plus) or LA (2 hours - and again - check under California for posts on visiting LA).

Beyond that - if you/your group like doing some driving when on vacation - you could head further up the Cal Coast a bit - http://www.visitcalifornia.com/Explore/ or even over to Las Vegas (5 hour drive from SD ) which you have seen - but - from there - if you wanted to further explore mountains/natural sites - beautiful Zion is about 3 hours beyond http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm and the majestic Grand Canyon is 5. http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

One other option - if you want something different - fly down to Costa Rica - and enjoy the beaches, river rafting, exploring beautiful rain forests and seeing the Volcano at Arenal. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica

Barblab

Obvious city destinations missing from your list would be San Francisco, Portland and Seattle (with a ferry daytrip to Victoria Is if all have passports).

For beach San Diego/LA combo would be fun but you risk foggy weather that early in July. Even if not foggy the air and water would most probably seem very cool to you coming from the southeast.

Closer to home you could do the Florida Keyes.

A completely different idea would be to do a National Park trip, to say Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks.

All good, whatever you choose have fun and happy 30th!

AP30

I'm leaning towards Key West right now although the more I read and hear about San Diego the more I like...Oregon/national park trip is something iwould have to do another time, a lot of the friends I want to go would prob not enjoy that like I would want to

Costa Rica was my first choice but I think Budget and Time constraints are going restrict me, would rather save that for smaller group more time and money.

Thank you all for your help and more you can throw is much appreciated!

AP30

And Seattle has always been a strong interest of mine...I'm curious though, is there enough in Seattle to keep the non-granola types entertained? Or would it fall in the same category as Oregon as in better for a smaller interest focusedgroup?

WhereAreWe

Puerto Rico - no passport needed, lots of beaches, rain forest, outdoor activities, nightlife, and would rate very high on the 'interesting/cool local scene' scale.

You don't say specifically where in the Southeast but there are non-stops to San Juan from Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, etc. Travel time is shorter than to the West Coast, and depending on where you fly out of you can get non-stops for under $300.

Tomsd

For going to the beach in the US - don't think you can beat San Diego for good beaches, ease of travel, whatnot.

But - balancing out a group's interests is always challenging - especially if the number is 10ish?

Having grown up in Oregon - I think you can find lots to see and do to fit a lot of different interests, including our favorite lodge - Timberline - up by the glacier on Mt. Hood, where summer skiing camps are going on all the time. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/ BTW - they have also filmed several movies there - including parts of The Shining - with Jack Nicholson: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/

The Oregon Coast is also beautiful - in a wild/rugged kind of way - but too cold for most people to swim.

And if you do pick Seattle, ditto for Wash State as far as many things to see and do - including taking the ferry across Puget Sound to Victoria - on Vancouver Island - which has some great pubs and you can even have High Tea - much like if you have traveled to London. http://www.hellobc.com/victoria.aspx...FYl7QgodUEcAYw