Feeling the chill? Consider these 10 US warm winter-vacation destinations

16.11.2023 - 17:53 / lonelyplanet.com / prince Harry / Jennifer Lopez / Meghan Markle / Oprah Winfrey

Travelers face two reasonable responses to the prospect of a long, cold winter: embrace the chill and seek out the most spectacular winter destinations, or follow the warmth – wherever you can find it.

If you’ve had your fill of icy sidewalks and overheated buildings, no one will blame you for choosing option two. And US travelers don’t even need to leave the country to ditch the scarves and mittens.

Whether you’re after a beach escape, a wildlife adventure or a dose of big-city culture, here’s where to find fun in the sun this winter.

Just under two hours northwest of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is a getaway destination perfect for beach strolls and canyon hikes. Celebrity sightings are common here (Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez and Oprah Winfrey are among the area’s most notable residents), yet the real attraction is its upscale yet relaxed beach-town energy. Stroll the State St Promenade for unique shops, artisan food and wine stores, plus plenty of outdoor dining options. Follow it all the way to West Beach, where the more adventurous can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and those just out for a great view can stroll Stearns Wharf. 

There’s a simple reason 15 Major League Baseball teams relocate to Arizona for training before the real season starts: the weather is simply phenomenal, with Phoenix getting 299 days of sunshine every year on average. In the middle of summer, when temperatures regularly shoot past 100°F, you might wish for some relief – but the clear-blue-sky, mid-70s days of late winter are ideal for outdoor fun.

If you’re not there for the baseball, you can at least see why it’s called the “Cactus League” at the Desert Botanical Garden, where the succulents and spiny plants of the desert mingle with art exhibitions. Or hit the trail and explore the sandstone formations of Papago Park, or pedal through South Mountain Park, a favorite among trail riders.

Maybe those baseball teams are onto something: while half of the league is in Arizona, the rest are warming up in Florida. The Sunshine State has the warmest temperatures on the US mainland during the winter, and the warmest national park (outside of Hawaii) is the Everglades. Winter is the dry season here, making it one of the most popular times of year for visitors – as well as for spotting wildlife. The drying of the marshes makes animals congregate in smaller areas, and migratory birds are doing just what you’re doing: flying to Florida in search of warmer climes. Drive the Southern Everglades Hwy south until you run out of continent at Flamingo, a great place for spotting manatees.

Get to South Padre before spring break and you can enjoy Texas’ popular seaside resort town at its quietest. With multiple blinds, a viewing