My twin sister and I want to go for a long weekend (3 days only) in late March for our birthday. Only requirements are short flight or drive from Austin, Tx., WARM weather and a GREAT pool without tons of screaming kids.
Being we want the warm weather, we're thinking Phoenix or Las Vegas. We are not gamblers at all and have no interest in Las Vegas other than the warm weather! We MAY do a little shopping if it's convenient to the hotel. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks!

While Las Vegas is hot in the summer it is not, on average, that warm in March, but then don't know what constitutes warm for you. Rather than Las Vegas, what about Palm Springs? It can be very nice there in March. Lots of resorts with great pools.

That's a great idea Suzie, but sorry, I forgot to mention that we're trying to do this trip fairly cheap! I have a free ticket on SWA and was going to split the cost of my sisters ticket and unfortunately, SWA does not fly to Palm Springs!

My sisters and I flew into Ontario and then rented a car. They wanted us to take this really cool convertible but it really didn't have enough room in the trunk or back seat for the 4 of us. We all had a great time!

Phoenix does have alot of beautiful resorts too, so maybe someone can advise you on which would be best. Great choice there!

How about Tucson ? SWA does fly there.
Less crowded than Phoenix and lots to do-shopping is covered,there is the Arizona Sonora Desert museum, Tubac for great southwest artisans, do a text search here and you'll find alot of info. Reasonable hotels with pools-there is a Courtyard on Williams Ct.,(good shopping and restaurants)Candelight Suites in the foothills (very pretty area-nice shopping). In any event, have fun!!

Thanks again Suzie. We were not planning on renting a car but it's something I can investigate! How long a drive from Ontario? It doesn't look that far on a map....

rasnes5-Tucson! Hadn't thought of that! I'll look into those hotels! Thanks!

Oh it was about an hour or so. Not more than 1.5 hours. But we were all gabbing so who would notice. We all flew in from different locations so it's a bit different than flying together to a destination. Stayed at Esmarelda in Indian Wells. It was great.

Good luck finding a sunny location for your shared birthday. 8-)

Southwest flies to Ft. Lauderdale and by that time (late March) most of the Spring Breakers have cleared out. It will be plenty warm, with a nice pool being an easy find.

Of course, keep one thing in mind. Lots of people head down Austin way at the end of March because it is "warm," so your basis point is a little skewed. However, I definitely think Florida is worth considering.

How about San Diego? I'd say Phoenix is probably your best bet, but personally, I'd go to San Diego.

Sand Diego in March is not reliably warm. Though Ally could luck out and hit town during a heat wave she could also surely hit it during a rainy period.

Hi Ally,
My birthday is March 23 and my husband and I have gone to Las Vegas a few times to celebrate.
The days are usually in the low 70's, dry and sunny, I love it, especially coming from cold wet NY.
Nights are chilly in Vegas but that doesn't really matter, you will be inside somewhere anyway!
Shopping is amazing, if that is what you like, plenty of familiar (Sephora, DKNY etc) shops and some really nice and expensive ones also.
For a pool with out the screaming kids, I would recommend Bellagio, when we were last there in March, there were no kids by the pool during the week.
Whatever you two decide, Double Happy Birthday~

Hi everyone!
Well, we've ruled out Palm Springs because we don't want to spend that much time driving...and because we realize now that we'd spend most of our last day getting home due to time change! For that reason we're ruling out San Diego, and Florida as well for same reason except that in the case of Florida it'd take too long to get there from here on SWA.
Tucson and Phoenix are better bets for us because travel time will be much less. As I said, we only have 3 days so don't want to use too much travel time!

Anyone know a decent hotel in the $150 a night range in those areas with restaurants on site or nearby? We'd like something better than a Days Inn or Courtyard chains, but can't afford the Golf Resorts at this time either!

To travelbear, that's too funny!..."people go to Austin in March because it's 'warm'". The last 2 years we've driven down to San Antionio for our Birthday. Both times it was cold enough for sweaters and coats! We're hoping for something warmer...mid 70's at least!

Thanks all!

Try seaside in the panhandle..its perfect imho for a short vacation although the weather could be coolish.
I also love Taos/Sante fe but maybe too cool.

Watch out for SPRING BREAK!

Too crowded at San Padre Island and Cancun.

What about Bermuda or Paradise Island, Bahamas?

To 'ducks53'...I'll research the weather in New Mexico that time of year, I suppose it's a possibility for Albequerque as SWA does fly there as well as Santa Fe..I think. As for Seaside, SWA does not fly anywhere near there, so there would be a long drive involved...too much travel time! Thanks for the suggestions though.

To 'luv2fly'..do you mean South Padre Island? We've thought about that but are afraid of all the spring breakers! As for Bermuda or Paradise Island, again, we'd spend too much time traveling to get there and back for the short 3 days that we have, but thanks for the suggestion!

Sorry Ally. I lived three years in Corpus Christi and four in Dallas and now I am in New York. I never understood the "winter bird" mentality of those people clogging the Texas interstates thinking it was too cold there. That was until I experienced a New York winter. Now I would welcome a March Austin trip!

Regardless, I think you are on the right track and it sounds like you have some good ideas. If I see any hotels deals for AZ, I'll pass along, although it is still early for those. Best of luck!

Thanks travelbear. I must admit, when I'm here in March/April, I feel terrible for all the people that are still getting REAL 'winter' weather at that time of year!! Our REAL winters do tend to be very short, and most often getting quite pleasant at the end of March, but no luck the past couple years..at least not 'pool/sunning' weather in that particular week!

Good morning all!
I spent the morning researching average temps. in the cities I'm interested in spending my Birthday and it looks like Phoenix is the place.
Anyone know of a hotel within 30 minutes of the airport, with a great pool, restaurant/bar on site or nearby, all for about $150 a night?
Thanks for the help!
P.S. I was wrong, SWA does not fly to Tucson.

SWA does indeed fly to Tucson-through Phoenix.