Family vacation ideas for this winter?
Hello! It may be a bit early but my family has been researching xmas vacation spots! : ) It always takes us a while to decide so we'd love ideas please!
Sep 11, 2022
Hello! It may be a bit early but my family has been researching xmas vacation spots! : ) It always takes us a while to decide so we'd love ideas please!
Parent Replies
Are you trying to experience some winter/snow or more looking to just relax in a different area that's more snowbirdish?
If you're outdoorsy, we love going to Lassen National Park over the holiday. There's lots of homes to rent right outside the park that are totally affordable, the towns are cute and there's tons of stuff to see/explore.
Good luck!
A bit more info will be helpful as there are so many options: local, domestic, international, warm or cold, $ or $$$$, nature, city adventure, etc.
Here are some of our family’s favorites:
- All inclusive resorts in Mexico (Cabo or PV because of short direct flight from OAK or SFO)
— Hawaii
— a week in a cabin in Tahoe
— Disneyland, Legoland type
— Staycation with fun outings around the bay
— Vacation rental near Monterey, Santa Cruz, Paso Robles
There are so many options, so it really depends on what type of experience you are looking for. Do you want a classic holiday experience, playing in the snow/cold weather? Are you interested in adventure and activities, or would prefer a more low key experience where you can relax together as a family? Galapagos is a perfect family vacation - https://www.geoex.com/destinations/latin-america/galapagos-islands/dece…. Have fun planning your trip!
It would help to have an idea beyond "family vacation." Time, budget, interests (sightseeing, lazing about, adventure), ambition (how far do you want to go? is international on the table?), climate (warm, or is cold okay?) . But in the absence of that...
My family met up Thanksgiving week last year at a vacation rental on the Oregon Cost just south of Newport, in the Surfland neighborhood. Low key, had a great time.
Not very far, but I have been to Asilomar in Pacific Grove (just south of Monterey) many times, including around Thanksgiving. Beautiful, calming, lots of stuff to do in the Monterey area. Beach, tidepooling. There's a social hall with activities and a dining hall where I at least eat breakfast.
I love Hawaii's Big Island. The west side is great for beach lovers with swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. It has an active volcano with many associated sites including the main crater. Opportunities for short an long hikes. The east side has waterfalls and a botanic garden and great farmers markets and is a lot less tourist focused. By chance I went to a youth rodeo in Waimea. Twice I have been to the top of Mauna Kea which is amazing (once driving, which is challenging, and the 2nd time with a tour). The Big Island has 10 of the world's 14 climate zones, including below-freezing temps at the top of Mauna Kea (often).
I did a late November trip a few years ago to Munich and enjoyed the Christmas markets that are everywhere in Germany during the season.
I spend a lot of the pandemic fantasizing about travel. Places I've thought about include New Mexico (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos), New York City, New Orleans, Montreal, Rio de Janeiro, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, and Portugal. So I have not shortage of ideas, just time and budget.