Connie

I am trying to plan a warm weather get away for my family. We have a 3 year old and a 2 month old so we need a family-friendly environment. Want to make sure the weather is warm enough to swim. Should we do California, Arizona, or Florida? Which resorts do you recommend?

jean

Connie, can you be more specific about when you plan to travel. I don't know much about Arizona, but I have lived in Florida for many years. During Jan, Feb or March, the gulf and ocean would be too cold in anywhere but south Florida. I've been to San Diego, San Francisco, and LA in June and August, and the Pacific Ocean was too cold for my taste. If you go to South Florida, there are many possibilities. Miami, Naples, Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers. Hope this is of some help.

Connie

Jean,
Thank you for your reply. We are thinking of going in February or March. Our schedule is flexible. Our main goal is to escape the Minnesota winter and hang out by a pool. Want to find a nice resort and make sure the weather will cooperate. Any suggestions are very welcome!

vanetta

Although our children are older, we have enjoyed Sanibel island in Florida many winters. It is very family-friendly and low key. Also, refreshing to the spirit. The weather is usually great during the winter too.

kjell

We spent two weeks in Florida last February and especially enjoyed the western coast. Clearwater is very nice; if you're looking for a less pricy area I would recommend Treasure Island a few miles south of Clearwater. We also enjoyed Orlando, where we stayed at Holiday Inn (kids' suite) and Summerfield Suites.

Karen

All Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tucson resorts have heated pools and generally the weather is certainly warm enough and sunny. Depending on how much you wish to spend, there is a wide choice, although that is the high season in Arizona...you might like an Embassy Suites type hotel or one of the three Pointe Resort Hotels. All resorts are used to families vacationing and most are geared to children, although yours are quite young and would be with you all the time.

Joe Mannarino

Connie, Fla (Orlando) usually
75-80 degrees in March, been going past 8 years, "parks"
not crowded, if you want to do the "Disney" thing. Recommend
Isle of Bali- 407-239-5000 has
perfect mini water park..nice place & price. Good Luck!

Cal

Even though I live in California, I would not recommend it during February nor March. I have also lived in Arizona and Florida. My choice would be Florida in March. That is the best time of the year there. Weather will be warm and you can swim in the ocean if you stick to the southern part of the state.

AMS

Yes, the weather in Florida can be nice around March. Thats pretty much all Florida has to offer. Since you are traveling with small children I would recommend staying at a larger hotel with all amenities. Make certain that the hotel has a house physician on duty 24 hours. Expect to pay anywhere from $200-$250 a day for hotel accomodations. By no means should you travel alone or rent a car while in Florida. Take a plane and limousine direct to the Hotel. Never leave the Hotel premises without a professional tour guide. Avoid Tampa, Fl. Too many weird things have happened there and I am sure you are aware of the New Year's Eve massacre at the Raddison Hotel in Tampa.

Arizona would probably be safer and cheaper. Also, have you considered some of the big hotels in the Carribean.

Sheila

Huh? What? As a native Floridian, transplanted in the midwest just a few years ago, I am not only shocked by AMS's comments about Florida, but they're absolutely untrue. I'm not sure where AMS has been staying, but I can assure you, just like any other American urban area, there are safe areas and areas where common sense needs to be applied. As for the massacre in Tampa, I seem to remember a recent massacre in Buckhead, Georgia and Columbine, Colorado, as well. I hardly think that that incident is indicative of the crime rate or possible threats of Tampa. Areas such as Clearwater (The Haddon House Inn, Sheraton, or Doubletree have the most beautiful beaches and are all priced below $150 p/ngt w/ very nice amenities), Sanibel, Naples, etc... are very safe, quiet, and family-friendly. You may still find the water a bit cool yet for swimming...Personally, I would avoid the Miami/Dade County area, because I do believe that there is a higher incidence of crime in those areas, but as for the entire state... Oh, Puhleeze! Enjoy your vacation- I'm sure wherever you go, It'll be wonderful!

Judy

Connie, there's another similar post about a warm-weather resort -- check out the comments about Sarasota/Siesta Key, etc. I highly recommend it for kids the age of yours, and it won't drive the adults crazy, either. Very kid friendly. (Sheila--ignore AMS's paranoid ranting, duplicated on the other post--AMS is on a nutty mission.)

Kimberley

I've never gotten in any of AMS's debates before, but I certainly hope that nobody is actually discouraged from visiting Florida as a result of him! His arguments have no credibility, especially when you consider the huge volum of tourists that vacation in FL every year. Is anyone honestly going to believe that they don't leave their hotels without a tour guide? A TOUR GUIDE? Like to go to the mall or out to dinner? What is he talking about? What does he think people who live here do? Hire armed escorts to bring us to the supermarket? Or does he think that locals have some secret street code for survival that tourists don't know? Anyway, I am a young, single female living alone in downtown Ft Lauderdale and I have never felt cause for fear. I live withing walking distance of many restaurants, shops, etc. (Las Olas & Riverfront, for those of you who know the area) and I am out and about in my neighborhood, on foot, every single day. I have never beens scared, I have never seen any suspicios activity, and noone I know has been a victim in this part of town. Sure, some neighborhoods are better than others, but South Florida has so many nice areas that are fantastic vacation spots - plus, having been to California and Arizona, I would definitely say this is your best warm weather vacation in March.

judy

Kimberley -- Don't even bother to rise to AMS's claims, and BTW, no one knows if AMS is male or female. Just someone who feels threatened by the world AND wants attention. No one's going to avoid Florida on her/his say-so anyway, so don't worry about it. Connie, let us know what you decide!

Connie

Thanks to everyone who has responded. I've been doing further research on Sanibel, Captiva, and Marco Island. Does anyone have an opinion on which resort is the best - South Seas Plantation on Captiva or Radisson Suite Beach Resort on Marco or Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel. Are they worth the money? Which is best for a 3 year old?

AMS

Having a tour guide as a constant companian is relatively inexpensive relative to what one pays for a decent Hotel. It is impossible for tourists to know before hand which streets are dangerous and which areas to avoid.

AMS

Also, to Judy, five messages up. The duplication of one of my messages on another post appears to be the result of a Fodor's processing error. I should point out that the commentators on these forums are not in complete control of their messages. Several of the messages often are deleted. Generally speaking, however, it appears Fodors is doing a good job in not tampering with the spontaneity of the message boards.