May 2016 Vacation Ideas
 

Hi everyone, in need of a little help.
My family and I are looking to go on a 10 day vacation in the middle of May this year. We are seeking a vacation in the USA, Mexico, or Caribbean. Sorry for being so vague, but we're pretty open to anything. Here are some details about us and what we want:

What we're looking for:
Ocean beach
Great weather (HOT and sunny)
Cute beach town (good food and shopping)
Outdoor activities

Information about us:
Two parents of four kids (ages 20, 18, 17, and 15)
We're all active and love the outdoors, but are equally happy to spend most of our vacation relaxing on the beach and strolling around town.
We'd like to go somewhere that isn't packed with people, but still has a fun and youthful environment.

Any advice on where to go would be GREAT! Thanks so much!

>>Great weather (HOT and sunny)<<

Even though it would be my choice and it does tick the rest of your wish list, you can probably eliminate the California coast. The weather will likely be really lovely anywhere along the coast -- but it won't be 'HOT' as you stress, and the water temp will be really cold.

Also, forget Texas. The coast there is really not very nice because of discharge from the Mississippi River. In Florida, I would probably go to Anna Maria Island or Siesta Key. In the Panhandle, I would check out the towns east of Destin, like Seaside, Grayton Beach, etc.

Number one destination for me would be California, but unfortunately, not for the beach. Number two would be Hanalei, Kauai.

Sandestin resort at Destin is a good choice. Also anywhere along the 30a Highway just a few miles away from Destin. Rosemary Beach or Seaside.

You might also like Sanibel Island farther south.

An all-inclusive would be a good option too, I think. There are so many in Mexico.

St Simons Island or one of the Islands outside Charleston might be fun (Isle of Palms, Kiawah).

Forget Texas, the beaches are yawners. Consider the redneck riviera. There are lots of good towns for this throughout the coast: Gulfport, Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola, Destin, etc.).

And define HOT. Most of the US (other than Arizona, Southern Nevada, and parts of New Mexico and Texas) isn't HOT in May if hot means 95+. If you're British, then about 2/3 of the country is hot because it'll hit 75 (24C).

If you're not set on going to the US (where are you coming from?????), then go to Belize. That definitely checks all your boxes and is a great place to visit. Not Belize City, go to Ambergris Cay.

If you're Brits, then consider your own country's outpost at the BVI. Bermuda likely won't be HOT.

All of the Gulf Coast is certainly not the same. For nice beaches do not consider Gulfport, Biloxi, or Mobile.

I suggest the beaches on the Gulf coast of central Florida. Anywhere from Clearwater to St Pete Beach. It will be hot and sunny and the water is nice now and will only be warming up as we get closer to summer, May is one of the best months. Contrary to what people think, there are many young people in this area with lots of outdoor activities your kids would enjoy. The parks are beautiful and many of the best are right on the water. They could rent bikes, paddle boards, take a boat ride or kayak. There great restaurants in St Petersburg plus lovely museums, there is a great young art vibe blossoming with open studios and galleries. If you want to catch a sporting event the Rays play in Tropicana field and for soccer fans the Rowdeys play in a stadium near the marina. Clearwater has a sunset party on the pier nightly and is filled with high rise hotels facing the beach, St Pete Beach has all size hotels along Gulf Blvd. In between those two big towns the coastline is dotted with smaller beach towns that are quieter. The beaches are white sand and well cared for all along that stretch. Plus Bush Gardens is not far away if you would be interested in an amusement park, and Orlando is only a little over 2 hours away. I think this area has everything you may be looking for.

I'm going to Puerto Vallarta Mexico in May. It has everything on your list.

So does Hawaii.