Looking for place to celebrate anniversary---beach/waterfront
 

I'm looking for a place to celebrate our 21st anniversary in April. DH prefers a beachside/waterfront location to chill out, read a book, eat some good seafood, and watch the waves crash on the shore. I'd like to see something different from home (which is the Ozarks), like sightseeing, hiking, local shopping areas, cultural areas unique to that area, etc.

Since our anniversary is the beginning of April, warm temperatures may be a problem. If we were travelling in the summer, we'd head to the northeast somewhere and walk along the rocky beach, eat fresh seafood, and check out the historical stuff you can't find in the midwest. That would make both of us happy. However, north of Boston might be a little chilly at the beginning of April! I thought about Yosemite, which he has never seen. But again, the cold temperatures would not make him happy and Yosemite doesn't really have the "kick back and chill" factor.

So, where should we go? We've been to Key West, Cancun area (I know that's not in the US, but we're open to suggestions), Puerto Vallarta, Destin, Gulf Shores, and many places in the Caribbean. Although we're open to travelling outside the US, I even considered 5 days in Ireland! I was thinking about areas north or south of San Francisco, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Charleston, Florida, New Orleans (but no place to chill and watch the waves!) Pleasant outdoor temperatures are a big factor for DH and he's a HUGE airplane buff...just in case there's a unique aviation "something" nearby.

I'd like to surprise DH with some place really cool, some place he'd never consider going! What come to mind? Any ideas?

Thanks!

Hawaii!

Definitely Hawaii. SF won't be warm - and the beach/water never is, and Ireland 100% won't be warm. Go to Oahu - other islands are terrific but Oahu will have the beach/ outdoorsy stuff plus city/shopping/historical bits.

+3 Hawaii

+4 Hawaii

I should have told you, we've been to Hawaii. It IS beautiful and warm, but I'm trying to use frequent flyer miles. With such short notice, it would cost us a LOT of miles. We could go to the south of France for the same amount of miles. Now that I think about it, maybe I should post this question on the European board? We've been to Paris, London, Switzerland, Germany, and a cruise through the eastern Mediterranean. The problem with Europe is the travel time. It takes a long time to get to the good places from the midwest!

Well a trip to Europe's an entirely different question than "beach/waterfront" like the title of this post. Sure post over on that forum and see who replies.

San Diego.

Nowhere in Europe will be warm enough in April for beach lazing . . .

And outside of DC - nothing better than the Air and Space Museum in San Diego, plus the Antique Auto Museum is next door - plus there are other museums - Art/Natural History, Botannical Gardens/Rose Gardens you may also like, not to mention the world famlous Zoo in Balboa Park.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-par...r-space-museum

Also have your DH look at these pics of the SD Air and Space, and the Hall of Champions/Athletics is also on the other side.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Imag...w=1107&bih=556

Actually we have been to southern Spain twice in April and both times the temps were well into the 80s. The seas was fine for swimming and the hotel pools were open (and the AC in the rooms on).

I think that you will fins temps like that most years. But don;t know if you can get there via FF miles.

Yes -southern Spain might fit. But even there April can be quite cool. Just because it was in the 80's when you were there isn't a guarantee. I was in Barcelona once in May and it was in the 60's .. . Does that mean May is usually cool - no.

Great pictures of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. We've never been there. But, one of DH's favorite places is the museum at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

I may be asking for too much....beach lounging AND culture. Florida definitely has the weather we're after, but I don't know any place that would offer much more than sand and sun. We've been to the Kennedy Space station over 17 years ago. Maybe another trip to Florida?

After playing around with frequent flyer miles, it looks like we should stick with the United States, or possibly the Caribbean. Getting to Europe could be a hassle!

If our wonderful weather continues this winter I would recommend Southern CA and especially San Diego. It is a fun city.

Could you do central america? I think April is still in season there. We really enjoyed Costa Rica. They have a great combination of hiking, beaches, wildlife, adventure activities, etc.

Somewhere along the southeast coast--The Cloisters, Kiawah, etc. Spend some time in Charleston. You may not be able to swim in the ocean but it will be the height of the flowering tree/azalea season.

Somewhere along the southeast coast--The Cloisters, Kiawah, etc. Spend some time in Charleston. You may not be able to swim in the ocean but it will be the height of the flowering tree/azalea season.

If you go to Cape Kennedy - there are at least two great space "museums" there - one with an IMAX and a Missile "garden" - and if memory serves me correctly - the other has a Space Camp - and the Astronauts' Hall of Fame.

Naples Florida...

Just saw you listed Myrtle Beach. Well, no, BUT there is a wonderful place at Pawley's Island--the Litchfield Plantation. It is a B&B in the original plantation house, complete with the live oak allee with Spanish moss leading to the house. There is a separate (elegant) building for the restaurant. This is not on the beach but they have a beautiful beach club on Pawley's Island. You don't wake up looking at the ocean, but it is a beautiful place.
There are also oceanfront condos at Litchfield by the Sea with pools, etc. GREAT food nearby in Murrell's Inlet and Pawley's Island.

Another beautiful place in early April could be Marco Island.

Puerto Rico? Lounge poster just made it seem wonderful.

Maybe the Sanctuary?

tp://www.kiawahresort.com/accommodations/the-sanctuary-hotel

Wow, you guys have given me a bunch of ideas! Naples and Marco Island sound interesting. Anyone have a good recommendation for lodging at Naples? And I'm off to research the Kiawah, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Pawley's Island, and the Cloisters!

And swimming's probably not a huge factor, but warm enough temps you could sit outside, read a book and soak up the sun.

Sitting by the pool or on the beach along the SC coast will be very pleasant. Beautiful time of year. Starrs has given a good place in MB (it kills me to say it, but it does look nice--I think it is the Hampton Inn) BUT you still have to deal with the gridlock of MB traffic and the tacky Eagles stores!!
Litchfield is just south of MB, and then on down to Charleston, etc. That part of the coast is absolutely beautiful and will have all you want. Plenty of history all the way down. Good shopping and excellent food.

Just so you know also-- the "island" of Pawley's Island is a wonderful stretch of beach with an historic district of beach houses and "hotels" dating from the Revolutionary War--where the rice planters from Charleston came to escape the malarial mosquitoes. There is NO commercial venture on that beach (grocery, fast food, etc.) Then just across the causeway there is also the town of Pawley's on the mainland which is just south of Litchfield Beach--which is again oceanfront.

Ritz Carlton at Naples.

Puerto Rico. There is thread on Fodor's Lounge about it right now. Culture, sunshine and beaches.