There are two types of tourists in the winter months: people that are searching for winter snow and the people that are searching for summer warmth. This article will be focusing on those of us who are looking for a vacation on the warmer side of that spectrum. Now, if you’re reading this, and are looking for a cold winter vacation, there is another article waiting for you on Scouted’s blog to help you find your ideal winter destination in the snow!
- Crystal River, Florida
Florida, well known for being the winter destination for snowbirds from all around the world. There are many reasons people are drawn to this state, but the amazing wildlife of Crystal River might be yours. Every year when the Gulf of Mexico cools down hundreds of Manatees migrate to this river. They do this because the Crystal River leads into Kings Bay which has the unique property of being a consistently warm 72 degrees all year round, which is the perfect temperature for Manatees. Kings Bay is special for humans too as it is the only place in the USA that allows you to experience these spectacular creatures close up. Watching these creatures’ migration ritual, swimming with them, and just interacting with them is an experience that you will surely never forget.
- Kauai, Hawaii
Described as the “Garden Isle”, its location gives it the gift of constant warm temperatures even in the winter. If you visit here I’m sure that as you trek through the warm wet rainforest, and marvel at the lostrus sea scapes, you will forget that it’s even winter anywhere else. If jungle exploration isn’t your style, and you’re more into just experiencing the Hawaiian sun, then you’ll be happy to hear about the golden-sand beaches that are littered around the island for you to discover. Don’t worry about missing out on the manatees migration either as Kauai is a check in point for the migrating humpback whales.
- Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley is the largest national park south of Alaska. It is also the warmest, driest, and lowest national park in America. This means the valleys get very little snow. In fact the lower reaches of the valley only get snow about once a decade. Which makes it a perfect place for those of us who are trying to escape the snow this winter. Death Valley does get precipitation sometimes, and when the occasional rainstorm does roll through, it brings out vast fields of picturesque wildflowers whose seeds were laying dormant in the ground. If you are lucky enough to visit during one of these times, it will make the already amazing drives, and hikes through this almost Martin like land even more amazing. Death Valley is a land of extremes, with desert sands surrounded by snow dusted peaks, and it is all the more beautiful for it.
- San Antonio, Texas
Running through the center of the city lays a great place to stroll, dine or cruise along. The San Antonio RiverWalk. Sporting a wide variety of restaurants it makes for a great place to sit, watch the river flow by, and enjoy a great meal on any one of the outdoor patios. Once you’re full, how about touring one of the many heritage sites that are located in, and around San Antonio, such as The Alamo, which is one of the most important historical sites in the USA, or San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail which in 2015 was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Big Bend National Park, Texas
At one point in its history Big Bend National Park was considered inhospitable, with the only way of reaching it being miles, and miles of winding dirt roads. Now however, it is visited by more than 500,000 people per year. There is good reason for this as well since this park provides a perfect environment for both solitude with a good book, or a camera, or even just your thoughts, and for a family vacation where you, and your loved ones can learn about all the interesting nature, history, plants, geology, fossils, birds, and more there is to discover.
- San Diego, California
San Diego, what can I say about this truly legendary city that hasn’t been said before. With warm weather year round, miles of golden coastline, museums, art galleries, hop-on hop-off bus tours, ghost watching tours, and theme parks, there is a nearly unlimited amount of stuff to do, and things to try. It’s impossible to be bored in this city, even in the winter time. Even just the San Diego Zoo is enough to fill multiple days. With live cameras that you can preview the park with found here, you can already see a glimpse of how amazing it is to be able to experience the day to day lives of these animals. This isn’t even mentioning the plentiful wildlife in both the ocean, and on land. Guides such as whale watching tours are just waiting to help you experience another amazing part of San Diego. There are many other popular outdoor activities you can partake in during the winter months. These include surfing, swimming, diving, skin diving, and just taking a nice walk along the sand.