I'm trying to plan a family reunion for 18 people, ranging in age from 6-70, teen boys and 20 something girls included. The occasion is a 50th wedding anniversary. We were thinking San Diego, Palm Springs or Charleston. Would need a rental big enough to accomodate all of us and activities in the area for all ages. We'll be travelling either in late April or early July. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Check out Sunriver Resort near Bend, Oregon. Rent a couple of houses, either from the resort or through local R E companies. Hundreds of choices. Lots of fun things for everyone to do. In April you can ski and golf on the same day. In July, hiking, biking fishing, golf, rafting, swimming.

There are rental houses on Isle of Palms, near Charleston, that will accommodate your group. Summer is high season there and most rentals don't do partial weeks. July is hot. April will be cheaper, but the ocean will be chilly. It is a beautiful time to visit - all the gardens will be blooming and the air is pleasant. Look at VRBO for Isle of Palms. SHould you decide to visit in July you should book soon.

Palm Springs and Charleston in July sounds HOT weather to me. I like SD anytime, with plenty for everyone to do there.

There isn't that much to do in Palm Springs that would be of interest to the 20-and-unders. I'd choose San Diego for sightseeing and beach or Charleston for beach. In July, San Diego is likely to be more weather-pleasant.

We were in Charleston summer before last, and it was over 100 degrees. I live in the south and am used to heat, but this was as bad as I've ever experienced and the humidity was as bad or worse than New Orleans.

When we left Charleston we flew straight to San Diego, which felt like absolute heaven. I think it was 68

Charleston was recently chosen as the # 1 city in the U. S. to visit. My wife was there last week. It's a great city.

Littleman - I absolutely agree that it's a great city! The first time we were there, we fell in love with it. If the OP were positive that he/she and the family would be there in April, I'd heartily endorse it, but not July.

The #1 city to visit. Really? By Who?

Conde Nast Reader's Choice.

I would NOT go to Charleston in July. I live in N.California and am very used to hot weather. Lots of days over 100F. But I can honestly say the 3 days I spent in Charleston in July were the hottest most miserable I've ever experienced. (Except for the day in DC when it was 92 and raining and the sidewalks were actually steaming )

I LOVED Charleston - but the humidity just absolutely saps you. And it wasn't just me. I was traveling w/ a friend who lives in N Carolina and she was wilted too.

Of your 3 choices - if it is July, San Diego is the only one I'd consider. But July isn't perfect in SD either (though a lot better than the other two)

If in April, then either San Diego or Charleston would be good IMO.

People who LIVE in Charleston are wilted in July and August. It's breezier at the beach, but not much cooler. That's why I recommended an April trip.

The beach will be marginally nicer with a breeze. April would be drop dead gorgeous--LOTS to do for ALL ages, great restaurants if you want to go out, beach time. And as Sue says, plenty of beautiful rentals. It is also a "manageable" area--walk in Charleston, drive a fairly short distance to the beaches.
August IS unbearable, but July is just hot beach weather I think.

Oh, and by the way, wimpy people (LOL), we can remember going to the beach in the summer in houses with no AC!!

Thanks so much for all the great ideas! I have to admit I hadn't even considered Oregon before. And I wouldn't have thought to check for A/C in the rental---good tip! Sounds like I'll definitely stay away from Charleston in July. Now all we have to do is get my family together and pick a date--no easy task!

Rental rates for homes on the beach will be much less in April than July - and it would be a great time to go.

Grethchen I do too! Crescent Beach, 1959. I was having so much fun I didn't notice the heat. Now, well, it's AC all the way. This past summer was brutal.

Yes, you were lucky to get an ad from the Oregon poster!! Still wouldn't give up on Charleston!! Can you imagine how beautiful a beachfront house is on that coast!! Wake up and see the ocean every day.

What about roundthebend's post makes you think it's an ad? I don't, and Sunriver is a great suggestion.

It doesn't look like an ad to me, either. The poster has been a member since 2008 and has lots of other posts on a variety of locations.