My husband works in the golf industry and our best time to vacation is the off-season in Jan and Feb. We live in the Northeast. With tons of wonderful advice from everyone here, we took a trip to San Fran this past January, without our toddler, and had a fantastic time (thank you all)! Next year - yes, I'm already thinking about next year - I'd like to take our son, who will have just turned 2 at the time. Both for financial reasons and because we feel like there is so much to see and do in this country, we'd like to stay in the US, but I'd really like to do a warm vacation next time. I just don't know where to go with a two year old, other than FL, that has beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. My husband actually would prefer less of a beach style trip and more of a touring around kind of trip (like going to San Fran and touring around the city, driving to Sonoma and to Muir Woods to see the redwoods, etc). But I don't know how feasible that is with a toddler.

Can anyone suggest some good family destinations in the US in Jan and Feb? I'm open to hearing about cold destinations too, I guess. Ultimately I'd just like us to have a good time, regardless of where we go and how warm it is. If I've forgotten any important details, please let me know.

Thanks!

For warm US destinations other than Florida:

Hawaii
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands

If you want to save money, my suggestion would be a beach in Mexico in early January.

February will start peak season and be $$$$.

Arizona - Tucson - Pheonix/Scottsdale - Sedona. There are some lovely resorts in those areas, there's also lots of good site-seeing and kid friendly activies as well. The Grand Canyon could be cold with snow (we've been there twice in snow - jan and march), but the weather is much nicer from Sedona on southward.

Thanks for the reply! I was going to say FL is Ok, but we used to live in Orlando for a couple years, and we've been to the Keys, so anything other than those areas would be preferable.

We went to Maui for our honeymoon, and I'd go back there in a heartbeat, but from NJ, it's a little pricey and far, unfortunately. When he's older I'd be more inclined to go again.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

San Diego - fits both bills - beach plus lots of attactions, museums and shopping. Might be too cold for the beach in Jan. It will be warm enough to sunbathe and build sandcastles but the water will be too cold for swimming. Lots of things to do with a toddler too - we took our son when he was 2 1/2 and he loved the zoo and Balboa Park. You can find decent airfare from the Northeast if you wait for a sale. We paid $250 rt from Hartford about a year ago.

My first thought was San Diego as well. It's perfect for what you are looking for. Your husband will love it as it is exactly as you describe his preference. Toddlers will fit right in.

I agree with San Diego. It has everything SF had to offer plus much warmer weather.

A word of caution about San Diego - one of you may refuse to go home to the northeast winter.

I guess it depends on what your definition of "warm" is.

The weather.com site has a vacation planning tool that will help you find places in the U.S. based upon average temperatures:

http://tinyurl.com/jeayw

If you are looking for temps in the high 70's in Jan/Feb in the U.S., you are pretty much limited to the Gulf coast of FL, Hawaii, or the low desert areas or Arizona and and California.

San Diego is a great suggestion (just got back from there), but it will probably only be in the 60's in Jan/Feb. This is great for touring the many attractions, but not for a balmy beach or poolside vacation.

A combination San Diego/Palm Springs trip might also be an option.

Believe me, if you live in the NE or upper Midwest like we do, it's balmy.

What about Tucson and southeast Arizona; it you like the desert, you'll love this area.

JJ5 ,

I was born and raised in New England, so I can definitely relate to that statement. It was not so much the cold of winter, but the length of winter that really got to me. (I have memories of building a snow fort on Easter Sunday.)

However, this past February, I had family from Mass. visiting me here in Southern California before setting off on a cruise to Mexico. They were rather surprised and disappointed at how cool the weather was. They said the weather didn't feel "balmy" until they reached Puerto Vallarta.

Thanks for all the replies. Maybe my husband's desire (and mine) to visit more of the US will encourage him to eventually take some time off in the warmer months. There are so many places we want to see, but not in the dead of winter.

Thanks again!

fllady, if you change your mind about not leaving the US, Puerta Vallarta in Mexico is absolutely perfect in January and February. It really gets one out of the winter blues.

Regarding San Diego, I have been there in January and February when it was really cold, so IMO you can't count on wonderful weather.

We stayed at maho bay in st john. loved it. try also cinnamon bay.

Our first trip to Maho was when our son was 5. It's a great family "luxury" campground. We visited on two more occasions. The last time with friends who opted for the condo style units rather than tent cabins. Those units are a long uphill trek from the beach. The tent cabins are just big enough for a family of three and have a wonderful wood deck, some privacy, basic camp kitchen supplies. The beach is wonderful with great snorkeling. Kids make friends and play with each other. There is some shade on the beach. For traveling there are several island tours you can take, St Thomas is a short and inexpensive ferry ride away. You can even arrange a trip to the British island of Tortola. A week flies by. If Maho is still operating the same way, there are evening programs for entertainment but watching the private yachts come into the bay for the night is relaxing. You can visit a different beach each day. Public transportation is good or you can rent a car. Breakfast and supper were available in the dining pavilion but you're on your own for lunches.

How about Scottsdale, Arizona. I've been there many times in late January and February. I have never had a bad day in Scottsdale. Sunny and warm (especially if you are coming from the Northeast). I live in Michigan, so the sun feels absolutely wonderful.

I remember one trip, the windchill in Detroit was well below zero and by that afternoon I was eating lunch outdoors in Scottsdale - it was fantastic.

Lots of great resorts and spas. Nice restaurants, great shopping, and, of course, golf, if you husband is interested.

How about South Padre Island or Galveston ??? We are supposedly in for another El Nino year..Could foul up the weather in lots of places..
Pick an area you REALLY want to see and go for it...
Good Luck

LoveItaly hit the nail on the head! Puerto Vallarta would be perfect and even though that is high season, it is still a pretty afordable place with many lodging options in all price categories. I bet airfare wouldn't even be that bad. I would also suggest Palm Springs. I must also say that we live in Northern California near the coast and try to get to Big Sur every other year or so, and because of my work schedule we usually go in mid February and we've always had very nice weather with temps in the mid 60s to low 70s, no fog and no rain. Maybe we've been lucky.

-Bill

Puerto Vallarta was my suggestion before even reading your thread.

US Virgin Islands is mine after reading the criteria. Or San Diego.