My husband and I (mid-20s) have two free round-trip flights that we would like to use to travel to the west coast in mid-March. We have already been to San Fran and Portland, and even though we loved it out there we want to try a new city.

We are looking for a bigger city, preferably a walking-friendly area (but we could rent a car if needed). We are also up for traveling to a few different cities/states too (could also buy one-way plane tickets). We are coming from Baltimore and have 7-10 days to spend and are on kind of a budget.

We love the city, the beach and nature, so we up for all suggestions. Any tips on places to stay, eat and do would be really helpful. We want to see as much as we can.

Thanks

PS: Has anyone ever been to Bend, Oregon and if so what did you think of it?

If you don't mind chancing the weather, think of Seattle. As major cities go, it's fairly inexpensive. The city is very walkable, with a lot of sights. With a car, you can hit some of hte most beautiful nature inthe country. There is really too much to email about, but visit your local library and look at any Seattle or Pacific NW guide book or email me with specific questions. Bend is a pretty place but, outside of golf or skiing, not too much to do. Dick

I would go to San Diego, CA. It is a great city with lots to do and see. San Diego is a great place to walk especially if you stay downtown. You can walk for miles along the waterfront. The waterfront in San Diego is very attractive, safe, and the most people friendly of any city that I have seen. The Gaslamp area in downtown San Diego is a great place for nightlife and there are 80+ restaurants in the immediate area. It would be impossible to list all of the things to do and see. The standards are the Zoo, Wild Animal Park and Sea World. However that is only scratching the surface. I suggest that you check out some of the web sites for San Diego.

Bend, OR is a nice small city on the east side of the cascades. It is pretty dry and will be pretty chilly in March.

If you like Country music I would see Nashville and the Ol Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame. Then there is Dollywood(probably not open in March though) or have you ever see Churchill Downs and the huge thoroughbred ranches in Kentucky. Awesome. Believe it or not I bought an oil painting at Churchill Downs-every time I look at it I am reminded of my wonderful trip there. Do some surfin on the net if this interests you. And my favorite part of Dollywood was the Country atmosphere, the smell of those bar b q's and her museum, which tells her life story, and displays the Coat of Many Colors (she wrote a song about it) and many of her family members work there. Have you every seen cloggers in country dress? They are there! Fun!there is a city back there, gosh darn can't remember the name- all the Country Music stars are singing there now. They have little theaters all up and down the street and lots of antique stores and little amusement parks for kids. Can't remember the name of it. I remember my husband bought a silver belt buckle and I bought a hand sewn wedding dress for my Barbie collection.
Hmmm, it'll come to me. E mail me if this type of trip interests you! Good luck.

The name of the town where the country music stars sing is Gatlinburg, Tenn. Its advertised in the back of my Rand mcNally Guide as is Lexington Ky for horses, history and hospitality!

http://mountainvalley.com/entertainment.htm

has listings for Dollywood, entertainers etc

Well, it's April now. Where did you go?