California or Arizona?
 

Ok so now we are thinking Arizona or California for our Feb. vacation. We've been to San Diego, LA, and San Francisco. We loved all of these cities but we are looking for a new place. Monterey? Also, we've never been to Arizona. Grand Canyon? Staying in b&b's is fine by us. We want good food, a relaxing time and we want to be able to see some new parts of the country. Thanks

I am a native California but did live in Arizona for several years. As much as I love California, I would opt for Arizona in February for two reasons. First, you have never been there and secondly the weather. I would not suggest visiting Monterey in February. <BR> <BR>I would probably stay in Phoenix where the weather will be nicer than any other place. You can visit all of the other areas quite easily. February is during the prime season in Phoenix so you will encounter higher prices for accomodations and possible problems with availability. Start checking now. Phoenix has great restaurants and accomodations. You can use Phoenix as a base to explore the other areas of Arizona. Expect to find some snow in the higher elevations such as Flagstaff. There are many attractions in Arizona.

I agree with the above poster. Phoenix in February is a delight, esp. if you are coming from any kind of winter - cold or just wet. It should be mild and dry and sunny. Great golfing. Good art museums, including Phoenix Art Museum and the spectacular Heard Museum of American Art. It's the "season" in Scottsdale - all the galleries in full cry, and the Scottsdale art center will have shows going full blast. <BR> Side trips we like: (1)Wickenberg to the northwest which has a great multi-disciplinary museum (2) Carefree (for shopping and ice cream) and the nearby Boulders for lunch and sitting in their lounge and ogling their fabulous Navajo rug and Pueblo pottery collection (3) Tucson - more art at the University and Photo Center, good food, good atmospher. (4) The Jerome/Prescott area is fun - old mining towns (5)Sedona is pretty - but it will be cooler. (6) A certain number of good Native American archeolgoical sites in and around Phoenix, including a nice one with Museum right down on the Salt River by Tempe. <BR> Another great trip we did was to the east of Phoenix. We rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle and took this amazing road down a river canyon and continued east through a couple of towns right of the old "wild west" book adn ended up at a big dam and reservoir (Rooselvelt?). Beautiful Canyon drive - but be prepared for narrow roads with drop offs and crushed gravel for pavement. <BR> It can all keep you busy for some time. Plus, February is the start of the baseball spring training games - going to at least one is good fun. The Giants are home in Scottsdale, and there are several more stadiums, including a new one across the street from Arrowhead Mall on the far north side of Phoenix - very easy access. Have fun.

I am a native Californian also, but have lived in Phoenix for 4 years. In February I would definately opt for Arizona, summer months would be a different story. I won't repeat what everyone else has said, but I will DEFINATELY agree with them as to what there is to do here.

Suggest you telephone 1-800-288-7336 and ask the Sedona Chamber of Commerce to mail you their FREE 72-page booklet, "Experience Sedona." Filled with ideas of things to see and do, places to stay and where to eat.

Message: We are also planning to be in Sedona next year, but a little later, the middle of March. We are booked into the Sedona Vacation Club/Los Abrigados. Does anyone know the place? Thanks for the phone # for the Chamber of Commerce. I'll phone them for more information. <BR>

Elli: Los Abrigados is first-rate. Adjoins Tlaquepaque, styled to look like a Mexican Colonial Village where you will find 40-some workshops with artists, sculptors, craftspeople. Located right alongside Oak Creek in the center of things.

Thanks for the info. I forgot to ask about the weather. What are temperatures ususally like beginning of March? <BR>

Sedona March temperatures: average daily maximum 63.3; minimum 35.0; average total precipation in the month: 1.67 inches. This past March was wetter and colder due to El Nino storms. Usually, by the beginning of March we see the first signs of spring in the trees' leaves. Warm days, off and on rainy times, great weather for hiking, etc. at 4,500 ft. altitude.

We alos stayed at Los Abrigados and enjoyed the grounds and views of the red rock area. You will want to take a tour of the canyon --the"pink jeep" tour was very nice and picks you up at Los Abrigados if you like. A great way to get up and really see the beautiful scenery. Prettier than the Grand Canyon! <BR>