Best weather in the US - Dec / Jan
 

Hi there,
we have been to the US at Christmas time once before and the other times we have always been during Summer.
We are planning our trip for Dec / Jan next year. ( Just came back from Europe this October )
Apart from some places in Florida, where else in the country would have milder weather?
We would like to have a White Christmas somewhere first.
We were in new York last time for Chritsmas but there was no snow.
Look forward to hearing your suggestions.
We have seen a lot of the US but really enjoy going there.
This time of the year is when we have our big breaks.
Thanks in advance
Donna
Australia

Just checked on weather.com. Average temps for that time of year, even in Miami, is only low 70s. So you could go several places with temps just a bit cooler - think the southwest corner of the US. Los Angeles, Phoenix, southern parts of Texas. Just a bit north and west of there, there should be plenty of snow in the mountains.

If you really want snow, I have always wanted to go to Yellowstone National Park in the winter (Wyoming/Montana). It starts snowing there in September/October and is supposed to be quite beautiful in the winter. Then you could head to southwest to thaw out.

A small New England town would be a good bet for snow that time of year. Exeter, New Hampshire is a postcard New England town, 10 miles from the seacoast. There is a very nice B&B there.
http://www.innbythebandstand.com/

Agree with gail's suggestion of places that would be relatively warm.

As far as snow, you can usually count on places in the Rockies like Colorado and Utah. Other parts of the US have been a little "iffy" the past few years so it's really hard to predict.

San Diego has the most consistent pleasant weather.

Southern Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson) have cool nights and mornings but sunny and comfortable afternoons.

If you go the west coast direction, you can find reliably find snow E of San Francisco in the Lake Tahoe area at Christmas time.

I would pick Colorado for Christmas (Snowmass is a large, very family friendly place) and then San Diego, CA which has amazing weather all the time..... I'd pick the West over New England because the cold isn't as "wet" there, and the skiing is MUCH better....

lake tahoe for the snow section and then go to palm springs or san diego for milder stuff. but, if you are going to get rain in southern california, it will likely be in january.

I was thinking Lake Tahoe and then southern California as well. The weather may be mild on the central coast, but it is more likely the further south you go.

Southern California will have sun AND snow--San Bernadino Mountains (Big Bear, Wrightwood, Lake Arrowhead)-- about 2 hours east of L.A. have skiing.

Southern CA - San Diego might be your best bet. I agree with the other poster who suggested Lake Tahoe for the snow -then head to San Diego!

www.weatherbase.com. Pick out the state and city you are interested in and check the statistics.

Yet another vote for San Diego + Lake Tahoe and/or Yosemite.

The best combination of weather, beaches, scenery, snow, mountains, skiing/outdoors activities w/i close proximity of each other.

San Diego + Big Bear/Arrowhead is another option but Tahoe/Yosemite has more of everything.

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I have been busy with school reports and hadn't had time to check back.
San Diego is one of the places on our list. We have been through it but have not stayed there.
In regards to the snow, we just want to see it. I wouldn't be skiing.
I will check out the weather site and continue to think about where else we would like to go.
We haven't been to Phoenix, so perhaps this could also be included.
We always call in to Las Vegas but have never driven there.
This is also a thought.
We would be in the US before Christmas and would have to leave around the 20th of January.
Perhaps, we may include a cruise to Mexico or Hawaii?
Thanks again everyone
Donna

<b>We haven't been to Phoenix, so perhaps this could also be included.</b>

Phoenix and Tucson are great in the winter and you can see snow about four hours north (Grand Canyon) or east (White Mountains) ... for combining snow and warm weather I would either do one of the California trips mentioned or Arizona.

We (being from Europe) have spent Christmas time/New Year's Day in the USA during the last 4 years.

We enjoyed these places most:

1) Santa Fe, New Mexico. Christmas Eve on Canyon Road is the most moving Christmas experience we ever had. Crisp, clear desert nights and the right amount of snow.

2) Tuscon for spring-like weather. In fact, we spent the first days in Santa Fe, and then drove to Tucson to get some warmer weather. Beautiful. And the bighorn sheep were mating.

3) California/Nevada. There you can have everything: sunny beaches, desert, snow-covered mountains.

4) New Orleans/Savannah. Certainly no snow, but mild temperatures and special holiday feeling.

Thanks again for your suggestions.
Donna

South Padre Island Texas will have warm weather at Christmas.