My boyfriend and I are trying to think of a vacation to take, most likely in September. I'm into photography, so I'm itching to go someplace where I can see great things to photograph. We're 22 & 23, we've just started our careers so we have some money, but obviously don't want to break the bank. We live in Masachusetts right now, and some of our ideas have been...
1- Disney (I've been there 8 times and I love it... but we want to go someplace new).
2- San Francisco - I've always wanted to go here, any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, must-see places? If we wanted to drive part of the Pac. Coast Hwy, where would you fly into/out of (open jaw flight)?
3- Outer Banks/other Carolina coastal areas? - Again, recommendations? I'm not familiar with that area.
4- Las Vegas - He's been when he was younger, and I've never been. There are a ton of cheap packages for Vegas and I'd like to go, but what else to do out there aside from gamble/go clubbing, as we're not the type to go to night clubs? How far is the grand Canyon?
Or any other ideas for a week long getaway?

You can fly into SanFrancisco for a few days, much to see and do. Rent a car and drive to Muir Woods to see the
Redwoods which are huge and awesome. Then take off for Yosemite which is a four - five hour drive and some of the best scenery ever and stay at least one or two nights (Yosemite Lodge IMO) Then you can drive back to SF via wine country.

Another great place would be Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons. Scenery there is just downright awesome! So much to see and do! You can get lots of info here on Fodors by searching up top.

I vote for San Francisco.
Its a great city - and picteresque!
Then you can also take daytrips and visit such fantastic destinations as the California wine country, Carmel, Muir Woods, and maybe Yosemite.

I think cd's itinerary sounds about right. You will have a lot of photo opportunitys!

Or....
If you are interested in Grand Canyon. There is fantastic scenery in Arizona/New Mexico/Colorado, and an endless amount of things to see.

You could make a weeklong roadtrip to the Southwest....picking between destination like Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, Mesa Verde, Durango, Telluride......and the list goes on.

The key is you would have to carefully select which areas you would most like to see, as you cannot obviously fit everything into one week.

Keep Europe in the back of your mind as well, especially if you have a week. In September you might be able to find a good sale.

My husband and I went to Ireland last April, and I really can't think of a more photogenic country I believe you can find some good flight deals out of Boston.

Come a bit later and see the largest gathering of hot air balloons in Albuquerque New Mexico. Late Sept and early October are THE best months here.

While here also explore the beauty of the area including Santa Fe, Taos and Durango CO if time permits. Oct 6 - 14 ,2007.

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

If this interests you, plan soon, as hotels book up early.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Europe is a good idea too - fall is a great time to visit.
We have been on fantastic trips to Paris, Scotland and Italy in the fall.

San Francisco and the surrounding countryside would make a great one week trip - wineries, redwood forests, rugged coastline, etc. The desert southwest is another great itinerary - fly into Phoenix, drive up to the Grand Canyon, the do Lake Powell, Zion, Bryce and fly out of Vegas.
Another very interesting and photogenic area would be French Canada - Quebec City, Montreal, and the beautiful countryside up the St. Laurence.
There are a lot more interesting places in the world than Disneyworld

Thank you everyone! You've all been a huge help. The funny thing is, we actually discussed Europe, but have decided to put it off a few years until we can get more time to go to a few places while we're over there, and also have more money to 'do it right'. But it's definitely in my mind, I can't get it out!
But i love all your ideas, I'd love to see some of those national parks so that's something we could keep in mind.

Another vote for San Francisco! I live in Seattle so get down there now and then. It's a fanastic city.

Depends how far you want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway. Los Angeles is less than ~10 hour drive south (re open jaw flight).

But I do want to point out, since you are 'Back East' to start out with, Europe isn't that really more of a major undertaking for a one week trip than coming out to San Francisco. Plane fare and hotel costs will be similar, I'm guessing. SF is not a cheap city.