Budget Warm Weather Ideas for late March spring break
 

In the past we have been to Hawaii a few times for a warm weather break. Due to lower finances this year, I am looking for ideas of where we could drive to for our late March spring break. We are in Southern Oregon. We are two adults and two girls, 8 and 16.
Friends go to Palm Springs but that sounds pricey. Anywhere near there that we could manage? Just want to relax, swim, explore a bit. Not really in to much shopping or spa stuff. Perhaps some moderate hiking. Places I've thought of: Palm Springs, Grand Canyon, other Arizona locations, San Diego? Any thoughts you might have would be helpful.

The main problem is, for the warm weather destinations like Palm Springs, Phoenix etc - That is high season and expensive.

It will still be quite cold at the Grand Canyon.

So for the places you mention, San Diego would probably be your best bet. It will be nice but probably not warm - highs typically in the mid to high 60's.

You can usually get good deals into Vegas. I would not spend much time there with kids but use it as a place to sleep and/or leave from to visit Grand Canyon or Zion or Death Valley, all awesome and cold is relative. DV will be warm, has lots of places to hike and is very interesting. Zion will probably be comfortable and GC could be ok or could be cool. If you are flexible, check www.weather.com for a 10 day forecast before you make your final decision on where to head. If you do a couple of nights in Vegas, you can do day trips to Death Valley, it is about 2 + hours each way, but the ride is interesting and it has plenty of places to hike at that time of year, then go to Valley of Fire State park, Hoover Dam and take off for GC. Look for a good package deal, pickup a discount motel magazine like roomsaver before you leave if you decide to wing it.

The low desert is the place to go. The Palm Springs area is an example, but the ultimate is Death Valley, which is an incredible place. There are two places to stay in the valley, the Furnace Creek Ranch and the Furnace Creek Inn. The latter is pricey, in the $400 a night range, but the former is much more reasonable at around $150-200 a night. The daytime temperature will be in the 80s.

It will take 2 days to drive there and 2 days home, leaving you 3 days in the valley to sightsee, relax and swim. Believe me, you will find plenty to do. But if I'm wrong, Las Vegas area is a day trip. So, I agree with emalloy, but sort of in reverse.

Death Valley is a National Park. Here's their web site. Click around to get info on Lodging, etc.

http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

We've gone to Scottsdale and Palm Desert the last 2 spring breaks. You can save money by renting a 2 bedroom condo and eating most meals in, instead of at restaurants. The weather was perfect - mid 80's. Check www.homeaway.com for properties.

There are plenty of places to explore in both locations. We did day hikes, horseback riding, scenic drives, museums, etc. We usually did our exploring in the mornings and were back by the pool in the late afternoon (when it wasn't crowded at all).

Thanks for all the info. I remember my aunt and uncle used to go to Death Valley every April. I hadn't thought of that, but I will look into it. We do like to rent a condo for space and meal prep. I don't know if we can go that far and not go to Disneyland, though. I'll have to think about it further. Thanks again

We were in AZ a few years back in March. There was a snow storm at the Grand Canyon (south rim), and it was in the 80s in Phoenix and Tucson. Las Vegas was cooler, not quite outdoor pool weather.

Disneyland??? Keep in mind that schools in Southern California also have a Spring break, very possibly at the same time as yours. I wouldn't go near the place at that time.

We had a delightful spring break in the Tucson area. It was warm enough for swimming. I don't know whether your girls enjoy baseball, but there are lots of spring training games in the area--much more intimate than regular season. My boys were thrilled to get numerous autographs. The Sonora Desert Museum is fantastic. It is more like a zoo than a museum. The animals are native to the area and are displayed behind non-visible fencing so that it appears they are just loose in their habitat. There are some pretty hikes at Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon. Kartchner Caverns are not too far away. It is one of the best caves I have ever seen--maybe even better than Carlsbad!