I need Christmas vacation ideas!

[lisas3575]

Please post your tips of great places to vacation in the west and B.C... We're thinking of hiding from our freaky families for Christmas and I need ideas. One idea we're entertaining is Harrison Hot Springs Resort in BC, and I'm looking for other similar places that might be offering shoulder season rates (keep in mind that we don't ski).

What's your favorite winter destination?

[KValley]

Lisa,

For Christmas this year MIL and FIL are taking Brendan and me to Harrison Hot Springs- I am so excited!!

I love the Washington and Oregon coasts in winter. Chilly, yes, but you have the beach to yourself and the locals are relaxed and thrilled to see you! There is nothing like bundling up in a warm, wooly sweater and your Sorels and abandoning yourself to the crashing waves and blustery winds. Then you can return to your condo and curl up next to the fireplace with a thick book and creamy hot chocolate. We did this three holidays ago at Long Beach, WA- our only mission was to try a bowl of clam chowder and a local micro-brew at a different restaurant or cafe each day.

Take a look at Ocean Shores or Long Beach, WA; Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, or Newport, OR. The vacation and time share condos are deserted in the winter months.

Cheers,

Julie

[luv2cook]

what are sorels?

[KValley]

LOL, luv2cook :D I can see where there would be little call for Sorels in Houston! Sorels are an excellent brand of winter (and I think work) boots made in Canada. I can no more imagine life without my Sorels than I can imagine winter without snow!

ALready dreaming of frosty, crisp weather (on this hot summer day),

Julie

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by luv2cook
what are sorels?

big ol' clunky, warm, wonderful snowboots that come up to your knees... gotta have them in our snowy climates! They aren't fashionable, but I can't live without them.

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by KValley
Lisa,

For Christmas this year MIL and FIL are taking Brendan and me to Harrison Hot Springs- I am so excited!!




If we end up there we should hook up! Can you tell me anything about the San Juans? Would that be a good Christmas destination?

[Chefzhat]

Just had to laugh - my dh and I and the kids are also trying to avoid the annual family stress party and hiding for the holidays! Glad I'm not alone!!! I'll be watching this thread for ideas - the only thing I've come up with is going to Mexico.

[KValley]

Originally posted by lisas3575



If we end up there we should hook up! Can you tell me anything about the San Juans? Would that be a good Christmas destination?

Yes! We'll be at Harrison 12/22-26 or 27. I've never been but DH and in-laws say it's so beautiful. I am hoping to snow shoe or cross country ski, as well as to lounge in the outdoor jacuzzi while it snows!

I'm not that knowledgable about the SJ's. Here's some info I posted earlier about the Olympic/Kitsap Peninsula with SJ websites:

Beth,

I was also raised near the San Juans, but to the west, on the Olympic Peninsula. Just this morning I made B & B reservations in Port Townsend and Port Angeles for a long weekend get-away for DH and I later this month.

On Whidbey Island proper, Langley is a mecca of art galleries, antique stores, bakeries, coffee houses, brew pubs; Coupeville is the second oldest town in Washington State and has over 100 buildings on the National Historic Register; Deception Pass has both fresh and saltwater shorelines- it is stunning, with gigantic Douglas fir, eagles, sand dunes; Anacortes is the launching point to the ferry for the northern San Juans- the first stop is typically Friday Harbor.

On the Kitsap Peninsula must-sees are the little towns of Poulsbo, Silverdale, Port Gamble; on the Olympic Peninsula, you cannot miss Port Townsend, Sequim (my hometown!), Port Angeles, the Olympic National Park, Dungeness Spit. Bosun'sWife as already mentioned taking the Coho ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, B.C. a brilliant day trip. You will also want to see Lake Crescent and to get yourself over to the Hoh and/or Quinault rain forests- the Olympic National Park is home to the only rainforests in North America. Hoh is about an hour drive from Port Angeles, Quinault, with the gorgeous Lake Quinault Lodge and lake is about 2- 3, but a stunning drive, as you have to go all the way around the upper peninsula, through the Hoh and Quinault Indian reservations.

An out-of-this-world Sunday brunch can be had at the Maltby Cafe , just off of 522 in Monroe; probably an hour from Whidbey Island, depending upon where on the island you are.

If you are interested in wine, there is a winery loop drive that extends all through the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas and nearby islands: http://www.wineryloop.com This website also give information on the individual wineries.

Some additional websites:

Port Angeles: www.youcanseeitfromhere.com

Sequim: www.visitsun.com

San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce: www.sanjuanisland.com

Skagit COunty (home of La Conner, Mt Vernon): www.skagittourism.com

Kitsap Peninsula: www.visitkitsap.com

Washington Tourism Division: www.tourism.wa.gov/

This is such an extraordinarily beautiful region; if we didn't love where we live now so much, and didn't need easy access to an airport (relatively, as I am a two hour drive, all freeway, from SeaTac- the peninsulas would be more of a hassle with ferries and two lane roads), we would live there (Olympic, Kitsap peninsulas; don't think we could afford the San Juan Islands!)

Enjoy!

Julie

[Jen]

Have you thought about the west coast of Vancouver Island? It's a bit of a complicated trip - although if you were flying it wouldn't be so bad - but Long Beach (B.C.) is INCREDIBLE. I'm not sure about Christmas time, but I know that in the Fall (October/November) they are famous for storm-watching. There are several fabulous inns/hotels right on the waterfront that are glass in front with hot tubs, etc. so you can watch the amazing winter storms come in. There is a website at http://www.ucluelet.net/; not great, but it would have some info. Also, you could check out http://www.wickinn.com/ - I've never been to this place but I've heard it's absolutely amazing.

Have fun wherever you decide to go!