I agree with most posters: Both California and Colorado are great.

But I think California offers the greatest assortment. You have beaches, mountains, lakes, deserts, great restaurants, great shopping, great lodging - all within sensible driving times.

To me, as much as I love Colorado (don't live there, but almost did), it's sort of a one note place.

Just my thirteen and one half cents worth. (I've given myself a raise!)

klar,

Maybe we would be able to help you better if we had an idea of what in the states you would like to do. Mountains? Beaches? Museums? Cities? Nature?

I live in California and I think it's crowded in the summer. We always leave the state to go on vacation in the summer. Also California is a BIG state and it's HOT in the summer unless you are in the mountains.

Utahtea

If you don't mind driving and seeing a lot, I second the recommendation for flying into California (LA or SFO), spend a day sightseeing, then drive to Denver.

From SFO, take I-80 across the Sierra's and northern Nevada to Salt Lake City, then take either US-40 to Denver or head south a bit and take I-70 to Denver.

From LA, take I-10 to I-15 and head north through Las Vegas to southern Utah. Drive through Zion National Park and then to Bryce Canyon NP. If you have the time, continue east on U-12 to U-24 (a magnificent, scenic drive), turn east to I-70 and on into Denver. If you don't have the time for that, from Bryce Canyon, head back to US-89, go north to I-70 then east to Denver.

With any of these options, you'll gain and appreciation for the majesty and magnitude of the western U.S. you'll never get from flying over it. It's quite a lot of driving but at the end, I think you and your family will treasure the memories.

I think it's important to note that SF to Denver is a long drive. I did it in April and it took 24 hours. No matter how you cut it up, that's a lot of time in the car. And some of it is pretty darn boring. (sorry Nevada)

My family did a car trip from the Bay Area to Denver about 10 years ago and we definitely went through some incredible country. There wasn't much to see through Nevada although driving through miles upon miles of nothing was definitely an experience. We did find a couple little places that were nice - I think it was the Ruby Mountains that had a nice creek, forests and hiking trails. We saw some great country in Utah - the highlights were Timpanogas Caves, Arches National Park, driving through the Canyonlands, and a little town called Green River. In Colorado we enjoyed Glenwood Springs, Leadville, and Pikes Peak.

High in Denver today is expected to be 95.

Los Angeles - 85

Big Sur - 77

San Francisco - 76

There's been a heat wave blanketing the west this summer. Plus, a real lack of water.

Traffic sucks in California. No way around it. In Los Angeles, I think it's quicker to walk than drive.

In the Bay Area, traffic has been really light lately - even the drive over hwy 17 to the coast on a sunny saturday morning isn't as bad as it usually is.

Keystone high is supposed to be 81 today. No traffic anywhere. I think I'll go out for a bike ride. :-)

Klar - aren't you glad you asked? ;)

To Jack:

The problem with the temps is if you leave Denver for the mountains it will be cooler.

If you leave the California coastal cities it will be HOT!

Utahtea

There is so much beautiful country to see in Colorado. California is so crowded during the summer.

Grasshopper your making me jealous!

Klar from what I am reading if you like lots of time in a car then California, if your a bit more active Colorado. Fodorites sure like to drive. I must be the exception. :)

Hey Jack water? see http://summitnet.com/activityguide/a...;title=Boating :)

Having grown up in Northern California and now living in Colorado, I can definitely say that you have a tough choice!

The one main difference between Colorado and Northern Cal for me is WATER. What Coloradoans refer to as a "lake," we ex-Californians would call a "pond," lol. There is precious little water around, but the trade off is the cool mountain atmosphere during the summer months. Even the Sierras get hot in July and August, while I've never experienced too much heat in the Rockies. The good thing about the heat though, is that swimming, rafting, boating, and water skiing feel great.

If you are traveling in late summer, I'd advise either coastal areas in California (and perhaps even Lake Tahoe) or the mountain areas of the Rockies. Utah is another hot area in the summer, Arches and Canyonlands will be toasty. Good luck.

Another vote for Colorado. Time to visit the family there! Head to Summit County for some hiking, rafting and stunning scenery.

My manager is on assignment to the US from England. He finds our western weather to be brutally hot. If you don't like hot weather, go to the mountains in either state. Or if you want the beach, go to Oregon or Washington. (Personally, I'd suggest Seattle and Mount St. Helens/Ranier - but that wouldn't be staying on topic). I think you'd be a bit frazzled by Southern Cal's "beautiful weather".

Utahtea - Since we live in Utah my kids are exposed to the Rockies every day - perhaps that's why we prefer to vacation in California - we love the ocean.

I agree klar needs to give us more information about what kind of vacation he and his family want. Or which relatives he prefers to visit.

Barbara S,

hehehe...we live in California and love to go to Utah for vacation.

Yes, it really depends on what klar would prefer to see & do.

Utahtea

Thanks for all your advice. Sorry about this, but as air fares so high at the moment, have decided to skip US this summer, and go to Sardinia instead! However, am planning proper 2 week break in Colorado at Easter.

Is this a good time/good idea? Can we ski then?

Colorado at Easter time can be snowy! March and April our our snowiest months but when it does snow that time of year it can be 75 degrees the next day. Can still take in some great spring skiing and Denver can be beautiful in the spring. Too early for camping and rafting however. Good Luck.