For the past 10 years, our family of four (two adult kids) have "done" our Christmas holiday trips overseas in Europe, Madeira,Canary Islands and North Africa . However, this year we must stay in the US and US islands so am wondering if anyone can give us some ideas as to where to spend the week between Christmas and New Years.
We are traveling with our new son in law,daughter and son who are all in their 30's. We will be flying from the Midwest to our Christmas destination. Our interests are history,food/wine,culture and the ocean.We would prefer something warmer than Chicago in December.
Any suggestions? Thanks for any help-

Maybe postpone this discussion until the next hurricane passes the places that might be our best suggestions. Also consider that the favorites among the warm-weather holiday destinations will likely already be booked solid.

While we're waiting, what sort of accommodations do you have in mind - condos, houses, hotels, B&Bs, and how much can you spend?

Might a snowy but somewhat warmer destination suit? Tahoe comes to mind.

Why the US? Passport issues? I take it that means no Canada either?

Do you mean warmer than Chicago (almost everywhere is) or warm as in beach weather? Because the latter would be the hurricane zone right now or Hawaii.

Is a cruise a possibility? Tahoe or somewhere in Colorado would probably be my pick, but you said ocean...

Puerto Rico. It has everything on your list. It was never on my list of desired vacation locations until I went there a few years ago with adult dtr - by default (long story). Genuine things to see and history. Interesting food - both local and more specialty restaurants. The best coffee I have ever had (take the Old San Juan food/history tour). Southern coast has beautiful beach resorts if you want to split it up between city/authentic and relaxing.

And, stupid me. I figured out that no passport, non-stop flights from east coast US, no special cell phone arrangements, good WiFi - just made it an easy trip.

I also thought of Puerto Rico, but as stated above, we have to wait and see how things are after Irma passes.

Yes, PR, after the storm and realize it's late in the game for your first choice of accommodations. People begin booking for Christmas right after the previous Christmas. It's high season in them parts.

Yes, warm places in the US for the week between Xmas and New Year's are already largely booked, so act fast!

How about Palm Springs or Palm Desert?

Indeed, the CA desert, and if it rains as much as it did last winter you could even have the ocean on your doorstep.

Scottsdale,AZ

Oops I missed ocean...

San Diego...

Our interests are history, food/wine, culture and the ocean.

Look at splitting the time between Santa Barbara followed by Palm Springs. Santa Barbara has wonderful history, great beaches (even if the water's too cold for swimming) and needless to say great food and wine options.

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Then head inland (around 3 hours) to Palm Springs. Fabulous ring-a-ding mid-century architecture, lots of food options, and Joshua Tree National Park is easy as a day trip. It's a fantastic area.

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You could fly into/out of LAX, or fly into Santa Barbara and rent a one-way car which you'd drop and fly out Palm Springs.

Hawaii

I'd probably pick Hawaii also but lodging wise pickings will be pretty slim this late. Puerto Rico also sounds interesting.
Actually I would pick Mexico, but OP says has to be in the US.

<We would prefer something warmer than Chicago in December.>

Wouldn't that be almost any place?

I would not be sending people to the Caribbean what with what is going on there now. Depending how it plays out things may or may not be put back together by December.

The way things have been going with the weather there are potential problems almost everywhere. Torrential rains and record mountain snow on the west coast, the obvious in the Caribbean. Maybe the answer would be keep it to a city that's a bit warmer closer to home (Boston, NYC, Charleston, Savannah) so in case of bad weather there are indoor activities and better transport options locally and for making it home. I'm not sure there's a good answer for you unless you can leave the country. Personally, I'd choose Mexico, too, if it was an option. Hawaii would certainly be nice, too.

It doesn't have an ocean, but Santa Fe has a lot of what you are looking for. Not hot but warmer than Chicago and lots of history, food, etc.

How about Southern California?

Somehow I don't think a trip to Puerto Rico would exactly be on my schedule right now, either, as Rita is about to hit and probably do a lot of damage. It isn't hurricane season in December, I think the USVI would be fine, if Rita misses it but looks like it may hit the USVI. Or if it is only very minor damage, who knows, you may get a bargain.

Same for Florida.

I like the Santa Fe idea, or Palm Springs. Of course neither of them has the ocean, so that really limits you to maybe San Diego. You never know about farther up the coast how warm it will be at Christmas, could be very hot or cool (eg, LA area). Sure, it will be warmer than Chicago, though, but not necessarily warm enough to swim in the ocean around LA at that time.

Rita ??

Santa Fe is charming at that time of year but may have snow (don't know if you're trying to avoid snow).