jacquiro

Hi all. I love coming to these boards for help so I appreciate any input. I'm trying to plan a week-long Aug trip (most likely to CA) for my family (with my daughter who will turn 2 then), my parents (60's- good health), and my sister's family (1 son- will be 14 mos). My family lives in Seattle but the others are in NY. WE're all willing to fly as long as we don't have to deal with connections. We're all sun avoiders and we don't like the heat, which is the primary reason we're thinking CA or anywhere else with nice weather in Aug (I'm already in the Pacific NW, so that's out!) We'd ideally all rent a house together or stay somewhere with affordable suites so the toddlers can have their own rooms. We're interested mainly in family-geared activities (zoos, parks, etc.) but like walking around exploring as well (no hikes- more like shopping areas).

I'd love any ideas people have on places that would be nice for us. Not crazy expensive, but somewhere nice.

Thanks,
Jacqui

GoTravel

Jacqui, the Pacific Northwest is one of the few places in the northern hemisphere that doesn't deal with heat and humidity in August.

What about South America?

My first choice would have been Vancouver Island.

kleroux

Actually San Francisco, and also the Monterry Penninsula would be great in August. Not too hot, probably sunny in Carmel or Monterrey and there is the great aquarium for the kids..and wonderful Steinbeck museum in Salinas.. San Francisco has lots of stuff to do for adults and kids. It might not be too sunny, but it won't be hot or humid either.

ellenbw

Another possibility is Seascape Resort in Aptos, just south of Santa Cruz. Fly into the San Jose airport and it's about a 45 minute drive. There are 1 and 2 bdrm condos as well as studios with full kitchens etc. just on the cliff top and there is a great strolling beach that you can walk to just below. The area stays fairly cool even in the summer. We were there last August and it was quite pleasant. Lots to do in nearby Santa Cruz and Capitola.
You could get condos next door to each other.
If you want to avoid the beach altogether, think about San Francisco. Also, San Diego is just great, but it is hotter, the coolest areas are near the beach with the nice ocean breezes. Plenty to do, even with kids in tow - parks, wonderful zoo, carousel, old town, etc.

janisj

it definitely won't be hot in either Aptos or Carmel unless the weather is very unusual. However - it also may be quite foggy and cool to downright cold. The hotter it gets inland (and it gets HOT there in August) the foggier and colder it tends to be on the north/mid coast. It can be 105F+ in Fresno or Sacramento and only 60F-65F in SF or Carmel.

pmccallum

I would recommend either the Santa Cruz area or San Diego. San Diego has a lot to offer a diverse group of people. There are lots of places to take the kids - the zoo, Wild Animal Park (hot in the summer), Legoland, the aquarium. Balboa Park is great to walk around and has museums for young and old alike. Coastal weather there is warmer than Santa Cruz - around 75 degrees in August. As for accomodations, there are lots of choices but when our kids were toddlers we liked to stay in a place with a nice pool. I recommend looking into Coronado and La Jolla. Also check out Carlsbad. It is a family oriented town but it's about 40 minutes north of downtown.

jacquiro

Thank you all so much for your responses...looks like we'll narrow it down to those areas in CA you all recommended!

kleroux

In the San Diego area we used to like Vacation Village "hotel"...haven't been there in ages, but its so convenient to Sea World etc....(its in Mission Bay, I think)