View Full Version : Anniversary vacation ideas?
So, the wife and I will be celebrating fifteen years of marital bliss next month and I'd like to take her somewhere for a little getaway. Was hoping to go to Hawaii but that isn't looking like a good idea right now from a financial standpoint.
Looking for something not not too crowded where we can just relax and forget about everyday life for a few days. I know November isn't the optimal time to go places but that's when we got married. Probably looking at a three or four night trip and looking to spend somewhere in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. Could drive somewhere in-state but would rather fly somewhere we haven't been. I was kind of looking at Florida, California, Puerto Rico, etc. I don't have a passport so exotic places are a no-go.
Hoping some of you could make some reccomemdations.
Thanks.
fportmen45
10-09-2016, 21:21
When are you planning to go? Get your passport & rock Puerto Vallarta - cheap, a short flight, and fun.
Pretty sure I don't have time to get a passport.
Have you been to San Francisco or San Diego? Both are nice short trip places to visit. San Fran is doable without a rental car if you get one of the muni passes and are up for a little walking. If you want sun and beach, San Diego are nice just about all year round. Check out the Hotel Del Coronado. Not cheap but right on the beach and nice little beach town feel. No ocean swimming for me in Cali, the water is just too cold no matter what time of year.
Florida from October to January is pretty much hurricane season. You could give Disney a try as November is off-season, as if they actually have an off-season. Flights to Orlando are usually pretty reasonable.
Early congratulations on your 15th anniversary! I wish you both many more happy years together.
Florida is great in November. Cheap flights and if you hit a theme park, it will not be packed.
Walker2970
10-09-2016, 21:56
Can you Sail ?
if so Florida keys are nice
Lake Tahoe?
NM . . . sounds like you are looking for something warm. San Diego is nice. San Francisco can be fun if you have never been there . . . kind of a weird city and the homeless population can be a little bizarre. But plenty to see and do. Maybe Napa?
Thanks for the ideas.
I'm going to rule San Francisco out only because my wife has been there multiple times on business trips. I think she's looking to go some place she hasn't been. She was asking about San Antonio this evening because she hasn't been there. Not really sure what we'd do there though but it's a cheap trip.
I was mostly looking into Florida and California because she loves the beach. Wish another trip to Hawaii was in the cards but I can't pull that off on my current budget.
If all else fails she'd probably OK with just getting a cabin up in the mountains somewhere but I'd rather venture out a little farther from home.
Everyone posted my idears so all I have is congrats.
If you do Florida and get a car, consider moving around. You can see Miami, Keys, and all the quiet east side beaches/towns. Savanah isn't far and very romantic. A night walk around St. Augustine (after the tourists leave is spooky and cool), they have ghost tours too.
Great-Kazoo
10-09-2016, 23:19
Sequoia Natl Forrest. One of the roads up makes Mount Evans look like a kiddie ride. There's some real good eateries in Visialia, Plano Jerky in Porterville (CHOCOLATE COVERED WALNUTS) Fly in to Bakersfield of all places. Then cut across to Monterrey south to Cambria. Rent a cabin across from the ocean, Eat, Sun, Fun
Or do Cambria (Hearst castle is in the area) first. Ocean, mountains enjoy.
cableguy11
10-09-2016, 23:44
Thanks for the ideas.
I'm going to rule San Francisco out only because my wife has been there multiple times on business trips. I think she's looking to go some place she hasn't been. She was asking about San Antonio this evening because she hasn't been there. Not really sure what we'd do there though but it's a cheap trip.
I was mostly looking into Florida and California because she loves the beach. Wish another trip to Hawaii was in the cards but I can't pull that off on my current budget.
If all else fails she'd probably OK with just getting a cabin up in the mountains somewhere but I'd rather venture out a little farther from home.
Lots to do in San Antonio: Alamo, Riverwalk, you could stay in Fredericksburg or New Braunfels and not be to far away from SA. Hyatt Hill Country Resort is a really nice place to stay but it is pricey. You looking for anything in particular? and congrats on the anniversary!! VRBO has some really nice places that might be available. That is my home town and we go back at least once or twice a year.
You looking for anything in particular?
Not anything specific. Just some place we can relax, enjoy some good meals, and maybe some decent weather.
3beansalad
10-10-2016, 06:04
Congrats to you both. Marriage can be a lot of work.
There are some nice beach areas in southern Alabama and the Florida pan handle. If the beach isn't a necessity, New Orleans is a great place to visit for food and decent weather. Maybe Corpus Christi, though air fare seems expensive.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Madeinhb
10-10-2016, 06:36
If CA is in the running - check out San Luis Obispo: Morrow Bay, Pismo Beach or Monterey/Carmel/Cambria. All on beach and smaller towns.
How about a cruise out of Galveston? Air fare to Houston is cheap and you don't need a passport.
You should be able to get a passport in 2 weeks, extra $$ though.
buffalobo
10-10-2016, 07:12
Florida Keys.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
milwaukeeshaker
10-10-2016, 07:25
Try Galveston, 3 day drive, and you can see other things in Texas on the way. Nice beaches, warm water, decent prices. IMHO Disney in Florida sucks, Disneyland in California is good enough, and you don't have to deal with the oppressive humidity.
ColoradoMinuteMan
10-10-2016, 07:30
If CA is in the running - check out San Luis Obispo: Morrow Bay, Pismo Beach or Monterey/Carmel/Cambria. All on beach and smaller towns.
I like this recommendation. San Luis Obispo is a great little college town. They have an awesome Farmers Market year round on Thursdays in their neat little downtown area. Food, music, and plenty of people watching. A nice town to stay in for this trip if you want to stay at the beach is Avila Beach. It is a charming little town. You can use it as a base camp to take a drive up and down HWY 1 which is a beautiful drive. There is a lot to explore in the area such as the towns mentioned, Hearst Castle which is beautiful and historic, Monterey has a really outstanding Aquarium, 17 Mile drive through Carmel and Pebble beach is absolutely gorgeous.
StagLefty
10-10-2016, 07:42
Congrats and hope you and the missus have a great trip wherever you decide to go [Beer]
My favorite trip to date was spent in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Either one of those would be a good 3-4 day getaway and is less than a days drive. We stopped in Cody WY for a couple days and I'll tell you what, the Buffalo Bill Museum of the West was spectacular. Namely the Cody Firearms museum(wing) and that's coming from a man who doesn't normally like museums. I highly recommend it!
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2016, 08:25
Looks like Cambria , SLO, Morrow bay, Pismo etc (all hwy 1) based on viewer votes. If you decide to do those areas LMK. My nephew is higher up the pismo beach town mgt. food chain. The very least, you'll avoid the panhandling ticket.
For such a shitty place to live, law & tax wise. it's an amazing place to visit.
Honey Badger282.8
10-10-2016, 08:39
SLO's not bad. I'm heading up there today for some shopping. If you're already out here it's worth a visit, as is Solvang, but I wouldn't make a trip if it.
If it were me I'd look into either the Florida Keys or Destin, Fl. If you get sick of the beach you can go tubing down the Blackwater river, its about 30-45 minutes out of Destin.
beast556
10-10-2016, 08:48
You can get smoking deals on a mexican cruise this time of year. They leave out of Long Beach.
Aloha_Shooter
10-10-2016, 11:07
Congratulations! 15 years together is a marvel in this day and age. I assume the $1500 budget is total, not per person. You're right, it's a bit too late to try to get a passport processed in time so I'd go for something domestic but special. November is the last vestige of hurricane season but you really shouldn't have anything to worry about on that score. Realize the eastern edge of Florida is going to be in recovery mode so there are likely deals to be had but also a lot of construction and repair work going on. It sounded to me like the beaches around Central Florida pretty much got washed away again and it will take time for them to truck in sand to repair them so I wouldn't bother with Daytona or Cocoa Beach if you want beach time.
It looks like you get get a 7 day cruise from Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale through the Caribbean for $500-600 each. With airfare, that pushes you a little over the $1500 limit except that Expedia is showing 60% off for the second guest so if you could book the stateroom for $750, you would be able to get the flights in under your cap.
Otherwise, at that funding, I'd probably advise some place on the Gulf -- Texas or Louisiana -- OR perhaps a houseboat on Lake Powell. Anchor in a lonely inlet and just enjoy the sun and peace and quiet and each other.
Thank you all for the suggestions.
My budget is for air fare and lodging for the two of us. So it's pretty much $500 to $750 a person. I wish it was $1,500 each as my dilemma of where to go wouldn't even be an issue as I'd just book a trip to Maui and call it done.
I thought about a cruise but since most of them go to the Caribbean or Mexico I thought I'd likely need a passport. I definitely didn't want to book a trip and then hope my passport shows up in time.
If the beach scene is what she has her heart set on then I'm leaning towards Orange Beach, AL or Destin, FL or possibly San Diego, CA.
She did bring up San Antonio, TX last night. No beach but she's never been there and somebody must have told her the river walk was kind of cool.
BladesNBarrels
10-10-2016, 11:48
Expedited Passport 2-3 weeks is $60 additional to regular $110 fee plus $25 execution fee and another $20.66 Priority Mail Express fee, for a total of $215.66.
That would put a dent in your budget.
San Antonio Riverwalk is great for a day or two, Tour the Alamo, and lots of night spots.
Good Choice and reasonable price.
Congratulations on your anniversary!
[Beer]
newracer
10-10-2016, 11:54
Mandalay Bay in Vegas has a sand beach pool.
Mandalay Bay in Vegas has a sand beach pool.
I love Las Vegas. My wife... not so much.
newracer
10-10-2016, 12:10
Find a VRBO in one of the small beach towns in southern California, we stayed in Huntington Beach last time. They should be pretty cheap as it is off season.
The CA locations are pretty good. Santa Fe, NM could be entertaining.
Congrats on 15 years!
Have you considered Seattle? There are some really cool places if you want to take in some sights. We did a dinner/winery tour train in Seattle that was excellent.
Sante Fe is a nice place this time of year to just walk the shops, get a massage, relax at some nice dinners. Broadmoor might also be nice if she has not already been there.
milwaukeeshaker
10-10-2016, 14:12
You can stop at San Antonio on your way to Galveston. Riverwalk and the beach, you get them both. Congats!
Thank you all for the suggestions.
My budget is for air fare and lodging for the two of us. So it's pretty much $500 to $750 a person. I wish it was $1,500 each as my dilemma of where to go wouldn't even be an issue as I'd just book a trip to Maui and call it done.
I thought about a cruise but since most of them go to the Caribbean or Mexico I thought I'd likely need a passport. I definitely didn't want to book a trip and then hope my passport shows up in time.
If the beach scene is what she has her heart set on then I'm leaning towards Orange Beach, AL or Destin, FL or possibly San Diego, CA.
She did bring up San Antonio, TX last night. No beach but she's never been there and somebody must have told her the river walk was kind of cool.
cableguy11
10-10-2016, 16:15
I would go to Kemah Boardwalk is pretty neat. Near Galveston but not Galveston. If you like to drive it is a good day trip, but my amount of driving is skewed cause I'm from TX, it you can get there in 4-5 hours its just down the road for me!!
I like this one and I grew up in that area: https://www.vrbo.com/3871793ha
Near I-10 which heads to Houston and some great BBQ in Luling, TX, just outside the city limits.
Ok. Since I grew up less than an hour away from Galveston I spent plenty of time there. I think I've even taken the wife there a couple of times. Plus, since this is going to be a getaway just for the two of us, I'd rather not explain to all of my relatives (that I get to see about once every three years or so) that I was less than an hour away and didn't stop by and visit.
Madeinhb
10-10-2016, 18:59
Find a VRBO in one of the small beach towns in southern California, we stayed in Huntington Beach last time. They should be pretty cheap as it is off season.
I'm from Huntington Beach. Need any advice let me know
Aloha_Shooter
10-10-2016, 19:23
Given your budget and desire to just get away from everyday life, have you thought about renting a cabin somewhere? Lakeside in Hot Springs, AR seems to be going for about $120-200 per night. Lake Tahoe seems to be going for about the same. No beach but you could get peace and seclusion to celebrate your life together without worrying about the news, family, etc.
I have no suggestions that I could give you- me on a beach is like a fork in a microwave- but I wanted to pass on my congratulations for such an anniversary! May you find a sweet place that fits everything you want. :)
Grant H.
10-10-2016, 20:56
Congrats on 15!
For our anniversary this year (this week) our schedules are too busy to do a trip, so we are going to spend a few nights at Della Terra outside of Estes Park.
http://www.dellaterramountainchateau.com/
A little on the pricey side, but it is a very nice place to get away from it all and spend time with the one you love.
Given your budget and desire to just get away from everyday life, have you thought about renting a cabin somewhere? Lakeside in Hot Springs, AR seems to be going for about $120-200 per night. Lake Tahoe seems to be going for about the same. No beach but you could get peace and seclusion to celebrate your life together without worrying about the news, family, etc.
I have actually looked at some places on some lakes. Mostly in Texas. I'll check out Arkansas. Thanks.
I have actually looked at some places on some lakes. Mostly in Texas. I'll check out Arkansas. Thanks.
Thay have one of them nudie beaches in Austin...
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2016, 22:01
Thay have one of them nudie beaches in Austin...
HIPPIE HOLLOW ! that place still exist ?
If you're thinking about AR, I'll throw out Eureka Springs, AR. Honeymooned there with my first wife. Quaint little town with lots of great restaurants. Some touristy stuff but a nice little getaway.
Vermillion Bay Louisiana. Catch some Red Fish mix with the Cajuns.
I know it's not far, but the wife and I are going to do ours in Breck next month. It doesn't get really slammed up there till after Veterans Day as the lifts don't usually open till the weekend after.
cableguy11
10-11-2016, 14:02
HIPPIE HOLLOW ! that place still exist ?
Last I heard its in full swing...
Cannon Beach, OR (http://www.cannonbeach.org/). Surfsand Resort (http://www.surfsand.com/) (off season, relatively cheap). No, it won't be warm and toasty, but it's a beautiful place. Great day and partial day hikes on the beaches and Ecola State Park (http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=136) is right next door. Get a 5 day coast passport (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r6/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fsbdev7_007224) (save the link, it's Oregon's best kept secret) and you'll be able to use it at Ecola as well as a number of beaches up and down the coast.
Can you say "Long walks on the beach"?
Fly into Portland, 1.5 hour drive.
Don't pump your own gas.
O2
Well if you're looking for a warmer spot Tucson is really nice this time of year. Lots of cool stuff to see and do. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Pima Air Museum, Missile Silo museum, great food, just for starters. Of course you'd be heading in to the winter tourist season so prices will be going up but there are lot of nice places to stay some right in town, others in the foothills.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.