by Janet Grischy

Created on: December 19, 2011   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

The best U. S. cities for winter travel offer total escape from the weather and the daily routine. Try someplace completely different from your home town, and come back revitalized and ready to face winter. Here are three cities to consider for your vacation getaway:

Honolulu

Honolulu has an idyllic setting, and a near-perfect climate. The average temperature in December is 71 degrees, and the average maximum is 84, according to climate zone.com. The offshore water temperature is 67 degrees in winter. It does rain sometimes, but it never snows, ever.

Honolulu has famous beaches, but also has beautiful hiking areas like Diamond Head, and engaging museums including the Arizona Memorial and the Bishop Museum. Gorgeous tropical gardens include the Foster Botanical Garden, the Lili’uokalani Garden, and the Walker Estate.

Winter activities include boating, body surfing, swimming, and exploring the neighborhoods of this cosmopolitan state capital. The waters are warm, and the locals are warm and welcoming too.

Some people use Honolulu as a jumping off point for peaceful island cruises, while others experience it as a stopover before spending most of their vacation on Kauai, Maui, or the big island of Hawaii.

San Diego

San Diego has spring all year. It gets hot inland in summer, but the heart of the city spreads out along the Pacific Ocean, offering water views and a moderate climate year round. The water is warm enough for swimming and water sports, too.

San Diego attractions include the huge San Diego Zoo, and the lively Gaslamp Quarter. Coronado Island has miles of beaches, bike paths, boutiques, and a charmingly historic hotel, the Del Coronado, where Some Like it Hot was filmed. The Del Mar racetrack, just north of town, offers a chance to watch the horses in a setting within walking distance of the beach.

Mini cruises to California’s Channel Islands, to Mexico, or both, might occupy a few days of a visit to San Diego. Other travelers will choose to explore the mountain forests around Julian, or the winding trails of Anza Borriega desert state park. The desert is beautiful in winter, especially when the wildflowers bloom.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is more than a gambling resort. It’s a place to see great shows, an interesting walking town, and a jumping off place for exploring the desert southwest. It almost never snows in winter in Las Vegas, though you may see snow on the surrounding mountains.

Attractions include the gambling, of course, but also the shopping. Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire offer terrific hiking opportunities. The Grand Canyon is just over the horizon, and much less crowded in winter.

Lee Canyon on Mount Charleston, just north of the city, has skiing and snowboarding, usually from November to April. Two hotels welcome guests on Mt. Charleston, and are very popular. It’s a winter getaway from your getaway.

All three cities are fun to explore, with urban attractions as well as easy access to natural areas. Each has a beautiful winter climate, whether you prefer the Hawaiian tropics, Southern California temperate, or continental Las Vegas. Why not try a new one each year?

Learn more about this author, Janet Grischy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.