My family(mom, dad, 12 year old sister, and me(15)), is planning on going on vacation this spring somewhere in the US. We aren't sure where to go however. We will be flying to where ever we end up going, and would like to go somewhere that is far away from NY and the whole Northeast coast/New England area. We are considering going to San Diego or Seattle, or going back to San Francisco, which we visited for a week four years ago. Any other suggestions? We thought about the Grand Canyon, but my mom does not like heights, and my little sister does not like the outdoors that much! Are there any cities or places that you can think of for a fun weeklong vacation? Thank you!

Our favorite U.S. vacation has been to Hawaii - does that interest you at all?

Well it sounds like the goal is to see different areas than the east coast. Arizona, New Mexico, New Orleans, even Alabama, Arkansas, those states are totally different from N. Y & the East Coast. San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco are very expensive areas, but lovely, and all quite different from each-other. Does your family have certain sites or goals that appear to them? Is the preferance nature activities, city, country, cultural, ocean, etc.?

There are so many possibilities.

San Diego is a great destination--there is a lot to do there of interest to families.

This itinerary would give you a taste of two of our great National Parks, which are like nothing on the East Coast: Fly into Las Vegas. Visit LV, rent a car and go to Zion and Bryce National Parks.

Return home from Las Vegas, or, if you have time, go to San Diego and return home from there.

Some friends of ours just got back from San Diego - they loved it, and their kids loved it too.

I live in Seattle and think it's a great place to visit. You can get a nice mix or city and countryside, as you want.

San Diego is a beautiful city and the weather would be better than Seattle (most anytime!).

San Francisco is my personal favorite as a place to go for a long-weekend getaway. So going back there (since everyone enjoyed it?) would be OK too.

Suze - I did not know you lived in Seattle (if I did I forgot) I have no idea why I thought you lived in Southern California. My Mom and Dad lived in Seattle for a number of years.

I loved visiting when they lived there..they now hail from Oklahoma and it just does not have the same lure ;-).

They lived close to downtown in something "hill" I believe it was Capital Hill and then ended up buying in a little town called Palsbough (which I am sure is spelled wrong).

I agree - San Diego or Seattle would really be lovely. I did not see when this family is traveling?

dawn, I live on Capitol Hill myself. I love Seattle (I grew up in southern California and have also lived in New England for a time).

This is a trip in the spring-time for memermouse & family.

Okay - I thought that I had seen you posting on Southern California threads with a lot of knowelege.

I LOVED Capital Hill. It has special memories for me. 13 years ago I brought my now dh there when he was my bf for the first time for Christmas to meet my parents. It was really cool. He loved Capital Hill as well.

I meant to say that I would recommend Seattle in the springtime...

Have you thought about Chicago? There are so many different things to do - great shopping, shows, sports, art, history, architecture. If Chicago interests you at all, I can expand.