All the great costal areas are nice in winter. If you hit them between
storms, it's often warmer and less windy than in the summer fog season.
And there are so many less people there causing endless traffic and
generally clogging things up. During storms, at least in the lulls
between actual downpours, the coast is really spectacular. I've spent
winter holiday time in San Simeon (Gotta see the Castle if you haven't
yet, and less crowded in winter.Internet reservations), Morro Bay
(Fabulous avian photo ops back up the esturary, and elephant seals the
last winter I was there.), Big Sur (PBS broadcast a "Living Edens"
special on Big Sur tonight.), Capitola , Bodega Bay, Gualala, Ft. Bragg,
etc. Some places several times. Photo ops vary with the weather, but are
often more spectacular than the same places in summer. All of the really
great places to stay are undoubtedly booked for the holidays, but you
might find something nearby. I went up to Mendocino in winter on a whim
years ago and got a motel in Ft. Bragg for practically nothing. It
turned out that the view out over Noyo Harbor from our little balcony at
the back was fabulous and quite photogenic. San Diego is pretty decent,
warmer and with lots of kid stuff to do. Mexican places like Cabo,
Mazatlan, P.V. are nice, but I can't imagine there's much available for
that week this late.
You might check out Yosemite. It'll be booked solid, but they do have
cancellations and the internet reservation site is real time, so those
who keep checking, sometimes come up winners. I know you aren't booking
for snow and cold, but Yosemite in winter is just spectacular. The air
is MUCH clearer between storms than you ever get in the summer/fall, so
many of the endless photogenic views are better in winter.
Moose
Richard F. Man wrote:
Looks like we will have a few days to ourselves between Xmas and New
Year. Looking for recommendations for places for some R&R, hiking, and
of course OM photo opportunities. We don't like cold too much and
don't ski. Preferably not too far from California. I am looking into
may be hiking part of the Grand Canyon (saw it 2 Winters ago for the
first time, hiked a few hundred yards...), and we can always go to the
old standby like Calistoga.
Thanks for any advice.
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