I'd like to traveling during the last week of December, and at first I thought Hawaii or Mexico, but those turned out to be outside of my price range ($700 total/per person). Any good ideas for trips for someone based in San Francisco? US, Canada, Mexico, etc. I'd love suggestions!

For how long?

I'd recommend one of the cheaper West Coast Mexico destinations.

Christmas is a very expensive time to travel.

You could check airfare to Puerto Vallarta? It's lovely at Christmas time.

Most of the vacation package deals "black out" the holidays, or I would recommend checking the magazine Budget Travel which has a feature 40 Best Bets with listings of bargain packages, often in your price range.

But I'm not sure during that week there will be anywhere with airfare & hotel for less than $700 per person.

On a lark, I checked Expedia which is showing $576 RT nonstop SF to PV depart 12-24 return 12-31. If you were 2 people and willing to stay in a $50USD kind of hotel, you could bring it in at $751pp.

Or did your $700 budget need to include food and expenses?

The $700 was mainly for airfare, hotel, and car rental. The trip doesn't have to be outside of the US; what I'm really looking for is affordability and enjoyment.

That is THE most expensive place to travel to in many areas of the US. Does it have to be a warm weather vacation? I know it's a long haul from the west coast but I have a friend who always goes to Europe then because its much cheaper than in the summer. Just a thought.

I just have to take a sunny vacation every year mid-winter, that's why I mention Mexico as a possibility.

Do you have a preference for climate? How long are you looking for your vacation to last?

Here's one idea that I found that fits your budget and includes Mexico:
Royal Carribean's ship Monarch of the Seas departs Los Angeles on 12/26/05 for a 4-night cruise to Mexico. The cheapest available cabin is $579pp. With taxes and fees and port charges added in, the total is $1,330.70 if booked through www.icruise.com. Los Angeles is within driving distance, so that would alleviate the expensive and crowded flights at that time of year.
Cruise prices also include meals!!

That $1,330.70 is assuming that there are 2 people traveling.

Have you checked www.go-today.com?

In theory I like the Europe in winter idea, but feel from the west coast U.S. that's just too long a flight for only 1 week's trip.

I will check go-today.com.Europe is probably too long of a jaunt for a 5-7 day trip. Those cruise suggestions sound great but... yeah, there's always a but, I get incredibly seasick, even when I use that patch. So a vacation on land is preferable. Thanks, everyone!

Mexico is the best option, in the $/ trip relation

Then there's Phoenix. It's not hot, but it shouldn't be too cold. Perfect for exploring! Should be in your price range -- check for motels with suites/kitchenettes.

B/

rubies,

Have you considered the Southwest? On Southwest airlines you might be able to get an inexpensive fare to Santa Fe, which is fascinating to me.

If you could afford a rental car, you can drive out into the country and see marvelous things. I bought a small Trujillo rug, at the place where he weaves them, the last time I was there.

For accommodations, just google. Be creative. I find good hotels, and even apartments (for stays of at least three days) that way.

On the othere hand, if you are based in SF, in December, could you get a cheap airfare out of Oakland for San Diego? It's warm there. We did this one year, from Santa Cruz, when the cold rain did us in.

We googled...apartments San Diego...and found a place with a kitchen, living room and bedroom for not as much as a hotel. Although it did give us breakfast and a minimal evening meal, if we wanted it. If you google creatively, you may find an affordable apartment on the oceanfront, if you start RIGHT now.

The Gaslamp District, Coronado Island, Old Town, the Zoo...could keep you busy for a long time.

Good luck.

Hello rubies, jtrandolphs suggestion is a very good one in my opinion regarding going to San Diego. If you flew out of Oakaland Airport (so easy to get to from SF via BART) I think you would have your choice between Southwest and JetBlue airlines.

I have always found San Diego to be a lovely and interesting place to visit. I would check into that. Best wishes to you planning for your Christmas getaway.

For a real different idea, think about going to the Pacific Northwest. We went to Victoria BC last year for a couple of days around Christmas and were pleasantly surprised. It was off season, so the prices were quite good. We actually had good weather, too, which was lucky, perhaps, but I think Victoria tends to be sunnier than most of the PNW. It was a relaxing vacation.

Since you have an entire week, I think you would want to take in more than Victoria. Vancouver is a larger city and has a lot more to do.

It would probably not be a sunny holiday, but you could plan on doing indoor things, and, if it is sunny, you could go biking, as it wouldn't really be cold. Also, it doesn't mist all the time, so you can still get out and do things.

PS. Reading my post, I think I wasn't clear. I'd suggest going to Victoria and Vancouver. You could take the ferry in between. I doubt you'd have a problem with seasickness, as the waters are largely protected.

Drive south to San Diego and avoid the expense of airfare and the miserable crowds of holiday air travelers. The weather has an equal probability of being warm and beautiful or wet and dreary. Los Angeles is closer and there's plenty to do, but gridlocked traffic is not my idea of a good time (and I live in the Los Angeles area).

You could also try Death Valley, and commute to one of the inexpensive motels in Beatty, NV just outside the park. I made two very nice trips there over the holidays.

For some years I traveled during the last week of the year (on solo trips, no less) because I had the time off from work then and didn't want to waste it. But I found that the crowds, inflated prices, and general hassle of Christmas week wasn't worth it. Now I look forward to that week as a chance to spend some quality time all by myself, catching up on reading and videos, listening to music, and otherwise having a wonderful time at home away from all the stressful hoopla that goes with the frenzied season. It's something you might want to consider for yourself as an alternative to paying a premium price to travel when everyone else is in the air or on the road. That may not quite be what you dream about, but there really is a lot to be said for it.

I'd say for your budget the best bet would be to take a road trip in California. Prices always go up for the holidays, so taking trips to far off places is a little bit more difficult (as I see you've already discovered.) You can end your trip down in SoCal where it could be warmer. That's what I'll be doing. My boyfriend and I are going to Hearst Castle for XMAS, also visiting Monterey and Sacramento. Staying nearby will probably be best. Just don't do Vegas -- it was freezing last year!