I recently acquired some airline coupons from a bump and I am trying to decide on a destination to make use of them. Our anniversary is Sept. 1 but we'll likely go mid-September for 3 or 4 nights.

We're mid-forties and relatively active but not really into hiking or specific sports, at least not for this trip. We enjoy quaint, picturesque places with some activities and lots of just wandering and exploring. A bit of shopping is always good, but more the local, browsing type - not high powered 'buying' shopping.

Here are the places we've been that won't be considered for this trip. Key West, Miami, Santa Fe, New York, Chicago.

An ocean is definately a plus, but other waterways might suffice. We are coming from Oklahoma, and due to the short nature of the trip, I'd like to not have to drive more than 2 or 3 hours from the airport on arrival. Less is better.

Places I'm thinking of off the top of my head are:
Napa/Sonoma wine country
San Diego
Monterey/Carmel
San Francisco
Seattle
Boston/cape cod?
Charleston (we were actually there for 1 day and thought we'd like to return)
Jekyll Island/St. Simons GA
Lake Tahoe

If you have any thoughts on how these destinations do or don't fit our requirements, I'd love to hear them. Or if you have other suggestions, I would love to hear those as well.
Thanks as always!
H

The coast of Maine is beautiful in September, weather is almost always nice and hotels & inns are still open waiting for the October fall foliage tours. Perhaps you could fly into Boston or Portland and make your way up the coast with a return from Bangor airport (not sure what your vouchers allow)...or just fly into Portland and then head for Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Cape Elizabeth or Camden. Boothbay Harbor sounds just what you're looking for, though it's pretty quiet in September most restaurants are still open.

Cape Cod is another great idea if your airline doesn't fly up into Maine. Personally i wouldn't head there any time but May or Sept.

San Francisco is a great city. You can fly into SFO rent a car and be in Napa in two hours. Driving in SF is quite easy. You could fly to SF drive to Napa spend two/three days there then drive back to SF for a night/two. Return your car in downtown SF and take a cab to the a/p to avoid a crowd at the rental car return at the a/p. Napa has some great small quaint inns and hotels as well as great restaurants. Go to www.tripadvisor.com to find some good hotels and restaurants there.

I plan to visit SD and Seattle soon myself. Both look like great places to visit. Seattle has some great places from what I see.

I flew to Boston rented a car and drove to Cape Cod. That was fun. You could return to Boston and spend a few nights in the city.

Charleston/Savannah or two great places to visit. We have been there 3/4 times and always look forward to going back. Have you been to DC. That's a great city to visit. Another thought for you is to fly to Albany, NY, Burlington, VT or Portland, ME rent a car and touring NE.........

I think you would really like the SF/Napa trip and you could tour Monterrey if you have enough time. Great places to visit around SF. Good luck.

A rule when I get FREE airline tickets is to go somewhere that if I were to buy the ticket myself would be too much. Since your into the domestic thing why not go to Hawaii..

Tracy - thanks for the Maine suggestion. I guess I thought it would be too cold in Sept. - I'll check the temp. averages. Both Portland and Bangor are doable with our ticket.

Ike - the SF area is near the top of my list for easy access and it seems like September is a good time to do that trip. I'm headed to the library for some guide books in a minute!

Venus- unfortunately Hawaii is not an option for our tickets. Also, it seems way too far to go for 3 or 4 nights, but otherwise I agree about getting the most out of a free ticket.

Thanks for your suggestions and keep 'em coming!
H

All these ideas are good! We loved walking and exploring San Francisco with the cable cars and taking the ferry to Alcatraz. Going to Muir Woods to see the Redwoods and then taking a day in wine country.

If you choose Seattle, take the ferry over to Victoria B.C. and spend a day and night there. Walk the town and harbor, go to Butchart Gardens maybe take a whale watching tour (if availabe in Sept)

OR, how about renting a houseboat on Lake Powell for a couple days?

Las Vegas with a side trip to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead?

Boston with all the history is good too.

My, my, my the list is endless. Have fun deciding!

Carmel has great browsing style shopping and beautiful scenery.

Lake Tahoe is lovely in September - it is kind of between seasons (summer tourist & winter ski). Not much good shopping there, however, and some driving could be involved to get from one place to another.

We had a similar situation to yours and used our airline "credit" to go to Seattle for a long weekend. Since we also had lots of points for the Hyatt, we redeemed them and had a really fun, inexpensive getaway.

Have fun, whatever you decide!

Hi,

Firstly, I'm writing from Seattle, and if you're coming this way for "3 or 4 nights" do NOT waste any of your time going to Victoria! (it makes sense for a longer trip but nobody in his/her right mind takes time out of a 3 or 4 day visit here to go to Victoria without some SPECIFIC REASON)

Victoria is less than 100 miles from here and I've been there only twice in 4+ decades of living here.

Nowthen, from Oklahoma, I think I would opt for San Diego... it is on your list of original instincts and it is a reasonable trip from your area, while it has the ocean climate to contrast what you know.

San Diego is bustling, reasonably safe, quite warm without being "hot", and you can drive reasonably short distances and take in breathtaking natural scenery if you so desire.

I'm probably not able to offer you the touristy feel of "Seattle", but I sense that it would be wise to put off coming up here until you have more time to spend, as a trip to Vancouver, Canada is a must for those who have time, and Victoria is more reasonable from there.

Consider San Diego more strongly if you've never been...

I think really any of your ideas are good. Cape Cod would be bottom of the list for me.

I can recommend flying to San Diego and staying in La Jolla. Airport very close. La Jolla has small town feel. Lots of cute shops. Go to Balboa Park for the zoo and museums. Spend a day poking around Coronado. Relaxing, good weather (should be) ocean etc.

San Francisco is also wonderful and can be very relaxing.

Napa is so crowded in Sept I hate to see your relaxing vacation evaporate in the crowd.

I love Tahoe in Sept. It's very pretty and the weather is perfect. Not so much on the shopping but there is some browsing to be had in Tahoe City or Truckee.

Sf or Sd would be good choices too.

You guys are great. I can do all the 'fact' research, but what I value so much about this board are the opinions.

cd- SF is very much on my list. I didn't realize it was possible to see redwoods close to SF. That would probably be a big plus for Hubby.

Seattle is also still up there, too.

Lake Powell would be a great suggestion - except that we have a houseboat and typically do that almost every weekend during the summer.
Vegas is out for this trip too- we are going there at the end of June with some friends.

nevermind- Is Carmel a better destination than Monterey?

Regarding Tahoe, I've always wanted to go there. I've heard it's breathtaking. But I too worried about the driving. Especially since it doesn't look like flying to Reno is an option, it would have to be Sacramento which I believe would add more driving.

Northwest - thanks for the opinion on the Seattle/Victoria issue.

I too think San Diego would be a good choice. That's my problem - I want to go everywhere.

mclaurie - I researched La Jolla and Coronado a bit about 2 years ago, but ended up not making it to San Diego.

suzie- thanks for the Napa info. No, fighting crowds is definately not part of the plan.

Any idea what the drive is like from Sacramento to Tahoe? The lack of shopping wouldn't be that much of an issue, especially if Hubby found a Craps table instead!

Again - thanks for sharing all of your insights!
H

I think a San Francisco/ Carmel/ Monterey "combo" trip sounds fun. There's another post I did for NeverMind, Trippinkpj California (something like that). I didn't include San Francisco stuff though.

Here's another vote for San Francisco or the Carmel area. If you'd rather visit a smaller place, then Carmel should be your choice. And the drive down from S.F. is beautiful.

In terms of beauty and all-around wonderfulness, I'd pick south of S.F. over Napa Valley. I thought Napa Valley was nice enough, but not as beautiful as the coast; Napa is flatter, and drier. If you want to see redwoods (and you should), you can drive through Big Basin Redwoods State Park on the way to Carmel.

We found Monterey had a bit of a run-down feel to it, and felt more touristy than Carmel. To me, Carmel felt more like the kind of place (which it is) where adults go for grownup weekends - upscale B&Bs and restaurants (and of course, beautiful beaches). There are a number of state parks near Carmel that are good for hanging out or short hikes. You could also drive down the coast to Big Sur.

For the number of days you have, I would suggest either S.F.. or Carmel, but not both.

The first place that popped into my head when I read your post was Quebec City. It's certainly quaint and picturesque!

phieaglefan,

In my opinion, Carmel is much better than Monterey for the kind of get away that I think you are looking for. I'd stay right in the town (village). There are many, many charming, unusual shops. I can spend an entire day just walking around, looking in the shops, eating... There are fun things to do nearby should you become tired of the town. I don't know if you like historic type things, but Carmel has a mission that is beautiful and peaceful to explore. There is also more shopping down the road and across the way in a nice shopping center (not your usual, run of the mill type center). I think it is called Cross Roads.

The town of Carmel also has a nice little beach at the edge of town, and some lovely little homes that are fun to walk around and see. As I said, we like to stay right in town, so we can park the car and be done with it, as parking is an issue in the center of town. Carmel is a very walkable town.

Monterey isn't too far away, and you could drive to it if you wanted to have a look, but I wouldn't want to stay there. Carmel is much nicer.

With regard to Lake Tahoe, which I think is another wonderful destination, although totally different than Carmel - you could fly into Sacramento which is just about a 2 hour drive from Tahoe. Unless you are into the casino scene, Lake Tahoe is more activity oriented. My favorite thing to do there is ride bikes and walk (I'm not a hiker, however!). With the exception of the casino area, things are pretty spread out. My preference is definately for the California side of Tahoe.

Good luck. I think we'll all be interested to hear what you decide to do!

I always vote for the CA side of Tahoe with the exception of Incline. The Hyatt is beautiful since the remodel.

Sacto airport to Tahoe city is right around 2 hours but seems like less because the trees start shortly after you pass Auburn.

It sure would be hard to choose from all the ideas here!!!

Thanks again to all who have weighed in.

Trippinkpj- thanks I'll look up your other post ASAP!

Lexma - Yes, I think I have effectively crossed Napa/Sonoma off my list. As to the SF area, not sure about whether we would just do SF or just south of SF (could fly into San Jose) or some type of combo. One advantage of just doing SF is it seems like we could get away without renting a car - a definite plus. But then again, I'd really like to see the coast south of SF and we do seem to like smaller places as opposed to larger. Thanks also for the tip on Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

CAPH52 - Yes, Quebec City is on my someday list, but it's at least 3 flights/2 connections from OKC and takes most of a day to get there. I will probably save that for a trip where we have more time.

Nevermind, yes from your description, I definately think Carmel over Monterey. And thanks for the input on Tahoe. I looked at the weather averages for Tahoe for Sept - 72 and no rain? How can you beat that? The casinos would simply be my way to 'lure' hubby there if he had any objections!

Suzie - I mapped the drive also and Streets & Trips has it at just over 2 hours, but since we've never been to that part of California, I don't think we'd be bored. I will definately do some research.

Thanks always!
H

Hello phieaglenfan, if you do decide to fly into Sacramento and drive to Lake Tahoe I would strongly suggest that you do not do this after 12:00 noon on a Friday or drive back from Lake Tahoe to Sacramento after 12:00 noon on a Sunday as the traffic can get very heavy which will add to your driving time.

If you decide to visit San Francisco you will be there at the best time of the year weather wise.

How fun it is to have this decision to make!!

Personally I love San Fran, it has everything you are looking for. I am also partial to Boston, since it is usually lovely weather in mid Sept, you are after all the moving in of college kids, and we have lot of interesting places to wander in Boston/Cambridge area nd the Charles River and Boston Harbor and the islands to satisfy the water desire. Lots of strolling to be done in Boston, a very walkable city.

For many of the same reasons I love San Fran for you; and I fell in love with Charleston this year, which also offers everything you want -
you have many wonderful choices and can't go wrong with any of them - in your research and reading one city will eventually peak your interest more than another ....and there's always another trip! Happy Anniversary - wherever you go!

HI..
I would do San Diego and stay in La Jolla..our airport is downtown SD and a taxi to LJ is around $35 or rent a car at the airport..20-30 minutes to LJ.. Great oceanfront and reasonable in LJ is the Sea Lodge Hotel..
ljbtc.com
lajolla.com
thegrandecolonial.com
Eat at the Marine Room and have lunch at George's at the cove upstairs..
San Diego would be perfect in mid Sept and you can catch a Padre game if they are in town and the ocean water is still somewhat warm..
Long walks on a gorgeous beach and eating, swimming and relaxing and just hanging out..Life doesn't get any better!
Have a great time!