XP: Help me decide where to go!

Mrs.Forger

Hello ladies. DH and I are planning an 8-11 day anniversary trip for this September (9/26-10/6 is our window).

We were originally going to drive to Maine and camp in Acadia National Park (a favorite spot of mine), then stay in a hotel a couple nights. But we've re-thought that idea, because there are so other many places we want to go before we have kids and we've both been to Acadia several times.

So here are the latest options:

1) Fly to Vegas, stay 2-3 nights, rent a car and drive to the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, back to Vegas to fly home. Total of 10 nights. (I have been to all these parks, but DH has not.)

2) Fly to San Francisco, stay 2-3 nights, rent a car and drive up the coast through wine country and stay at some random places. Continue driving to Redwoods and stay a couple nights, possibly camp, and drive back to either SF or Salt Lake City to fly home. Also a total of 10 nights.

3) Completely different - Aruba. This was the runner-up for our honeymoon, and we'd love to go there. We'd spend 8 nights there, and it would probably end up being a bit more expensive - or not, because we'd do an AI, and wouldn't be paying for all that GAS!

What do you think? Any other ideas? I'd take some Southern Cali rec's if anyone has any...

Has anyone been to Northern Cali in the fall? Is it cold or mild?

TIA!

DaniGirl1142

Personally I'd go with #3. AI + beach = Heaven in my book!

Steffie17

Napa and Sonoma will have harvest during this time. It might be more for a hotel if you're thinking of going then. This is a vacation I want to take though, sounds like fun! We're going to Southern California in August. We're staying in Palm Desert and it's going to be 110+ degrees. Haha. What a time to take a vacation! If you want to know more, drop me an email or PM.

NYC_CT

While those all sound like VERY fun options, I would probably go with Aruba for a "2nd honeymoon".  Mike and I went there a few years ago, and it was really fun. It almost never rains there for some reason so you're almost guaranteed some fab weather.  I think you would might go to the Grand Canyon with the kids, so maybe wait on that one (although Vegas would be fun).  Wine country sounds amazing too, but my vote is for Aruba.  You'll have a blast no matter what you do though... good luck chosing! 

Dukes15

Hmm...I'd probably pick wine country, because its one of the top places on my to go list.  I've been to Aruba once and would love to go back, but what would make me nervous is the weather.  We almost booked it for our honeymoon last year (first 2 weeks of sept) because everyone said no need to worry about hurricanes that far south - well the day we left on our honeymoon (to Greece) a hurricane hit Aruba!  So we felt very lucky that we had picked Greece over Europe.  I wouldn't risk it during the fall.

Dukes15

I meant "picked Europe over Aruba". But I'm sure you knew what I meant

My parents go to Aruba the first week of August every year though and always have great weather, I know that one storm was definitely rare!

5/5/07-i-do!

Aruba!  AI and no gas?? How can you go wrong with beaches and girly froo froo drinks with umbrellas???

christa3310

that's a toughie. but the wine country trip grabbed my attention as a great adventure.

jess98ac

I'd do #2.  We LOVED Aruba, but we did a half day in Sonoma at the beginning of our HM and really want to go back.  You could easily do Aruba with kids (although it would be a different experience obviously), but a road trup like you're talking about wouldn't be as easy.  Also, we loved San Francisco.  What about flying into LA and driving up the coast?  Santa Barbara is gorgeous, too, and I've heard there are some great wineries just north of there.

alyssak

I'd probably pick Aruba

Aspen1120

I would do wine country.  IT will be the start of crush season but you will have so much fun! 

mellbee

Hmm I am torn between Wine Country and Aruba. But I would do Wine Country, very romantic and something different. Plus a long trip like that would be a great thing to do before kids. All are great ideas, keep us posted!

Mrs.Forger

Thanks to all for the sound advice! You guys rule.

Dukes - I remember that hurricane! lol. We were stunned, too, because the "practically nonexistent" chance of Aruba getting hit by a hurricane was a huge selling point for us, too.

So, I think I'm leaning toward #2. I'll have to follow up with DH, but it seems most like something we wouldn't normally do, and something we can't rightly do with children.

I just mapquested out a trip from SF to Napa to Redwoods to Crater Lake to Portland - and it's a lot of mileage! Not unbearable, all 4-5 hour bursts of driving. But seems like our kind of trip for sure - lots to see and some National Parks that I haven't been to (I've been to many). AND, if I compare the mileage to what we would do driving to Maine, it's actually less!

Also, we're (most likely) going to Costa Rica next March, so we'll get our tropical fill then, so maybe something wildly different from the Caribbean is the way to go...

Thanks again, ladies! I'll let you know what we decide.

Aspen1120

IF you need suggestions on what wineries and restaurants to go to, just page me.  Dh and I got back from napa a few months ago and we are planning a trip to Sonoma in Sept/Oct.  I have a few favorites I would love to suggest!

2be1hotbride3

I am late here...I am posting to see if I can get a nesticle...Trying to prove a theory.If and when I do i'll explain   8