Quick Honeymoon ideas for Nov?
 

My brother is quickly getting married in a few weeks (don't ask) and only has 4 nights after the wedding to take a quick trip. They like cities and would be leaving from SFO. He considered Hawaii since it would feel like "a honeymoon" but he's not really into beach locations and doesn't like laying around pools. They enjoy sightseeing and so he was thinking of NYC but it's a long flight -- he is also considering Chicago.

Are there cities in Southwest that might fit the bill? Southwest cities would be warmer which would be a plus.

Hawaii would be perfect. Honolulu/Waikiki on Oahu specifically. It's definitely a city. They don't have to lay around the beach or pool, there's loads of great sightseeing, history, and interesting things to do to fill a 4-day trip. Plus they could get a nonstop flight out of SFO. And yes it is "romantic" and truly "honeymoon" worthy.

>>but he's not really into beach locations and doesn't like laying around pools. <<

There is plenty to do say on Oahu w/o laying by a pool. The Arizona Memorial, Iolani Palace, Diamondhead, etc. Since it would essentially only be 3 full days HI might be good.

Or how about a loop drive from Las Vegas to Zion and/or Bryce and/or the Grand Canyon.

we were posting the same time.

Let's make it three of us recommending Hawaii. I'd recommend they stay right on Waikiki - choose one of the wonderful historic hotels right on the beach such as the Moana Surfrider or the Royal Hawaiian. (These are Starwood properties if they have any points to use)

There are lots of restaurants within walking distance and interesting sightseeing. If they plan to stay on Waikiki, don't rent a car - it will just be an encumbrance.

Well, I'd choose Hawaii, too, but otherwise, Santa Fe is great--art, architecture, food, shopping, scenic drives, Native American history and culture. I love Tucson, but it's more for nature lovers, IMO.

I love Santa Fe, but it will be cold in November.

No colder than Chicago, which he is also considering.

Average high temp in Chicago in Nov is 48, average low is 32.

Average high in Santa Fe is 56, average low is 26.

What about taking a short honeymoon in someplace close like Napa, Sonoma, Carmel, etc. and take the main honeymoon in May or September when weather is warmer and kids are in school.

Before I also recommend Hawaii, there's two things you need to know:
1) In our 33 years of marriage, during which we had amorous nights in all 50 states, Hawaii was BY FAR our favorite spot for romance.
2) Sitting by a pool or at a beach is at the BOTTOM of things we'd enjoy doing together -- which is why we never did either during our two weeks in Hawaii.

There's history, culture, mountain scenery, hula shows, luaus, shopping, and a dozen other things to enjoy, even if your attitude about water is identical to that of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Brother just clarified that it's 3 nights, not 4. Leave on Thu and return on Sunday. Does that eliminate Hawaii or you think it's still worth it when they just have 2 non-travel days?

They've been to Sonoma (they don't drink), Carmel, L.A., SD. He was thinking of heading North but I think it's very rainy in Oregon. They do like to drive so maybe Vegas and Grand Canyon? I'll look into Santa Fe too.

Yes, it has been dumping rain here in OR! I will say it is still a beautiful area, but if one doesn't want rain, this is not the place to come;) It hasn't been cold at all though, yet.

Personally, I enjoy HI, but am not enamored with it like others are. I would not want to honeymoon there, but that is just me.

Hawaii would be a lot of travel for just 3 nights, but there are a number of lovely inns along the coast between SF and Fort Brag. We really enjoyed our stays at Glendeven, and it would be a beautiful spot for a honeymoon trip. It's possible to walk across the main road and then continue through a meadow right out to the Pacific, with glimpses of deer and such along the way.

You'd lose two half days in travel to Hawaii from SFO, but the 3 hours time difference will make it seem earlier when you land, and a longer journey when you leave.

I'd lean against that much travel time for such a short stay, and there's so much to see and do on Oahu alone... but it's not the craziest idea I've ever heard, especially for a honeymoon, which deserves a grand gesture, IMO.

I love the PNW, but dumping rain is not my idea of a chill honeymoon, sorry!

If they like to drive, how about Palm Springs/Palm Desert?

I live in Seattle and love it here but the Pacific NW is not the place to visit in November - even the locals leave in November if they can, as it is the wettest month of the year.

With a mere 3 nights - just two full days, Honolulu may be too far, too much travel time. Up to them.

I concur with NewbE's suggestion of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs, San Diego or Yosemite . . .

I would have recommended Santa Fe, also, for something different but not that far. They have to kind of be interested in some outdoors things, though, to make the most of it, at least some national parks or Indian ruins. If they want to sightsee in a city, that's something different.

He's probably done a lot of places in California or knows about them, already, I imagine.

How about Austin, TX or San Antonio? It's 85 in Austin.

Grass Valley/Nevada City.

Another recommendation for Palm Springs. Lots of cool places to stay and eat, and Joshua Tree NP is fantastic for day trips.

Santa Barbara would be another idea - beautiful city, historic sites, "Sideways" wine country close by.

Noooooooo (not Seattle!)

I've gone to Honolulu (from Seattle) for a 5 day trip. It was fabulous. I'm surprised anyone thinks that's is not a great idea.

<i>I'm surprised anyone thinks that's is not a great idea.</i>

Except now it's a 3-night trip. Plus traveling so soon (in November) the airfare is going to be very high for trips that short. I was going to recommend the Big Island as it offers so much in the way of sightseeing - rain forests, Parker Ranch, coffee country, volcano... but not for that short a trip.

Thanks so much for the responses. With a 3 night trip, HI isn't an option : (

They are not very outdoorsy unless it's more like driving through the outdoors. (Driving through Sequoia National Park and getting out awhile for photo ops, stuff like that.) Any thoughts on those dramatic arches and desert areas in Utah? They could fly to Vegas or SLC and drive anywhere from there. He's an engineer and is fascinated in things like Hoover Dam, etc.

I'm checking in with him tonight, thanks again for the suggestions.

<i>Any thoughts on those dramatic arches and desert areas in Utah? They could fly to Vegas or SLC and drive anywhere from there. He's an engineer and is fascinated in things like Hoover Dam, etc.</i>

Many of the red-rock national parks are at quite high altitudes, thus prone to icy conditions, and some are quite a schlep from Las Vegas or SLC. I'll repeat my suggestion of Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. Joshua Tree is an ideal national park for drive-throughs; many of the sights are roadside. They could also ride the aerial tramway up to the maybe-snow country.

Joshua Tree - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_55a.JPG
Aerial Tram - https://www.pstramway.com/

OK, here is what I would do if the dates line up. On Thursday, Dec 1, the Beautiful 5 star Princess ship, Crown Princess, is doing a 3 night cruise out of LA. If those dates don't work, look at vacationstogo to see if anything else works.

Gardyloo, You are absolutely correct I hadn't noticed the cut back in time.

<With a 3 night trip, HI isn't an option>

Why?

With a nonstop from SFO I don't see why not. The other destinations are all nice enough, Napa, Palm Springs, etc. but they sure don't scream "truly memorable honeymoon" to me like even a quick trip to Honolulu does. That's 3 nights of sunsets, dinner on the beach, a circle tour drive around Oahu, maybe a historical site, sight, or museum.

But sounds like it's already nixed for sure. Call me crazy but what does the new wife think about Hoover Dam? -lol-

I think <I>Santa Fe</i> is a reasonable target that isn't overrun by society.

Though IF going there from the Bay Area, going <b>Oakland-to-Albuquerque</b> is the right move, especially for cost reasons.


I'm also quite fond of Salt Lake City and surrounds - would be a nice fit for a 4-night trip, with things to do and see during the days, and nothing too demanding... leaving the nights free for honeymoon stuff.

Or even flying to Denver, and then driving into the mountains somewhere... Vail, if all else fails.

I have miles to fly them to Honolulu the weekend after their wedding (unfortunately nothing in Business class is avail) but he has yet to give it the OK. Just holding the tix for them. I've been to Maui and Big Island but never did any sightseeing in HNL.

So Waikiki isn't tacky? (LOL - I know, when Plan B is Hoover Dam, this sounds like an absurd question.....)

The quality of their experience in Waikiki will depend on staying in a nice hotel. So if they find a cheap hotel online or an AirBnB with a very low price, I expect they will come away unimpressed. But if they stay somewhere nice, they can enjoy walking the busy Waikiki area, watching surfers, shopping and eating. They want to be right on the beach, not a block or two away - this makes a big difference.

OK -- that's very good to know. My husband has Hilton points so maybe we can put them up in an oceanfront room, I will check now.

Any recs on best hotels in Waikiki -- Hyatt Regency, Ritz-Carlton, Aston Waikiki Beach Tower? We could do the Hilton but the rooms don't look great. I like the way the Four Seasons looks but it's a bit out of budget.

My faves are the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider. The Hyatt is right across the street from the beach, so not a bad location, but not, IMO, a honeymoon location. The Aston is well-located right on the beach.. The Ritz-Calton is NOT on the beach so while I'm sure it is lovely, I'd cut it from my list. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is on the beach, but is a large resort, sort of Disneyesque, so not a place I'd ever stay, but I know there are many people who love it.

I think the "best" hotels in Waikiki are: Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider.

<so Waikiki isn't tacky?>

Not to me it isn't. It is "classic". But like anywhere, mostly depends where you stay, what you see & do with your time.

Of the hotels you just mentioned, I like the Hyatt Regency best.

>>so Waikiki isn't tacky?<<

It is as tacky or non-tacky as one makes it.

If one wants tack -- not hard to find. One wants to avoid tack -- easy peasy.

Jr Suite at Royal Hawaiian is available and I can book an oceanfront room at the Hyatt for 400 but the room looks so small. Do you have any guess as to what might impress a young bride?

Royal Hawaiian*!*!*!*!*!*!*! It's totally gorgeous.

The Hyatt is a nice hotel but looks like a hotel pretty much anywhere (high rise). And across the street from the beach.

Royal Hawaiian ("the pink palace") is historic, a tru classic, with a gorgeous tropical gardens setting, and direct beachfront setting.

Absolutely go for the Royal Hawaiian!

OK, Deluxe Ocean View room in historic wing at Royal Hawaiian is on hold.

Some of your questions and comments made me realize that focusing on the (likely) expectations of the bride might be the wisest way to go. Thanks so much for your help!

First class costs twice as much as coach. I think he should he cough it up, even if domestic first isn't exactly the material of Bride magazine.