Looking for Someplace New to Visit
 

Hi, everyone; my husband and I are wanting to take a trip in September and are looking to try someplace new. We love being on the water, places with historic charm, sailing, pretty views, good open air restaurants, natural beauty, cities with lots to do. In addition to San Diego/La Jolla, we've really loved Newport, Boston, Old Town Alexandria, and Key West. Have already been to New York, Seattle, Chicago, Santa Fe, Hawaii, and Charleston. Would love any suggestions you guys have. Any ideas for places you think we'd like? The last time I posted this, someone suggested Victoria, B.C., and it was amazing, so hoping to find another new spot we can love. Maybe five days or so. I'll probably also post in the Canada forum so open to ideas in both U.S. and Canada. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.

We really enjoyed Portland, Maine; don;t know if you're up for a return to New England, though.

How about Portland, Oregon, though? Ticks all your boxes.

San Francisco, too.

NewbE, yes I've been to Portland, ME and San Francisco too. Forgot to mention those. Have never been to Oregon though. Also thought about the San Juan Islands.

Is the triangle not working?

No, the triangle hasn't been working for a while. If you want to read a discussion, check out the thread on the Help Forum.

volcanogirl, well, then, I edit my list to just Oregon :-) Portland is a super fun city, and there are all kinds of natural beauty all around it.

The San Juans are very nice but not terribly different from your experience in Victoria. Same goes for the BC Sunshine Coast, which I think somebody mentioned on the Canada board.

If you haven't spent any time in Oregon, then I think Portland and the Columbia River Gorge are perfect fits. Do some research on Mount Hood, the Hood River Valley, and the town of Hood River itself. In September the whole area will be full of orchards and vineyards in harvest mode, the weather will be warm but not stifling, and the range of options is nothing short of unbelievable. Google "Oneonta gorge" to see what I'm talking about, and look up the Maryhill museum and Stonehenge while you're at it. The Gorge is minutes from Portland airport, too.

Lake Tahoe, north or west shore.

The San Juans are beautiful but they're not cities if that's what you're looking for. The "lots to do" would mostly consist of outdoor recreation. It seems like the places you enjoyed in the past were more populated. I would also investigate the logistics of getting there as the car ferry departs from Anacortes (you'll want a car). Not necessarily trying to dissuade you. I loved it but not sure they're the right fit given your criteria.

September in Niagara on the Lake and a side trip to Toronto could be a great mix... the Toronto Film Festival, Niagara Wine Region Harvest, Shaw theatre festival, history,sailing Lake Ontario... even a side trip to the Falls and Buffalo's architecture and galleries (we have 6 Frank Lloyd Wright projects)...

Sounds like Monterey/Carmel and Santa Barbara, California.

Annapolis, MD.

St. Augustine, Florida or Catalina Island

Burlngton VT or Quebec City or both in one trip.

I agree with Underhill. You are describing Santa Barbara and Carmel, CA. And even though Hwy 1 is closed south of Big Sur, you still have access to Point Lobos and 25 miles south into Big Sur from Carmel. You could spend a few days in Santa Barbara and then drive up to Carmel with maybe a day or two stop in Paso Robles to visit wine country.

Thanks, everyone, I'm enjoying reading and exploring all your suggestions!

The Burlington - Quebec City is a good suggestion. Another might be Cape Cod along with Martha's Vinyard.

Possible spot: Camden, Maine
Beautiful & definitely different! Visit Camden State Park: both upbound & south bound.
Also close enough for you to visit Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor (1 hr 30'-2 hrs away)
Or you can visit to Bar Harbor, but remember to stop by Camden!
We visited Portland, Camden, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park & Boston last year.
And stop by to have lobsters at Five Islands Lobster,Co in Georgetown, Maine. Breathtakingly beautiful & peaceful!

Portsmouth, NH-Lodging=Wentworth by the Sea
Ocean House-Waverley, RI
Spring Lake, NJ-The Breakers
Castle Hill-Newport, RI
Madison Beach Hotel-Madison, CT