As we watch our vacation budgets carefully, a question that arises is “Where’s a great destination with lots of variety?” I might suggest you consider a SoCal vacation. It’s got the beaches, theme parks, roller coasters, Hollywood and lots more.
The beautiful state of Hawaii should also be on the list, if you find a good deal on airfare. You can almost feel that warm ocean water right now, but remember that there are offsetting advantages to the Golden State. The Southern California Vacation Guru has written about the differences between vacations in Southern California and Hawaii. Keep in mind that there are way fewer underwater rocks to worry about in the California surf, and the humidity and sun intensity are a little easier to handle in the summer. The water temperature is higher in the Aloha state, but in the middle of summer, the cooler water can be more refreshing.
Of course, the vegetation in Hawaii is often magnificent and the local culture adds much to the experience. On the other hand, there are many different cultures to be experienced in the Southern California melting pot.
The beach is not the only attraction in Southern California. There are a half-dozen major theme parks to be visited. Don’t forget about the seven world-class theme parks waiting for your visit. For lovers of roller coasters, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain are definitely places to visit if possible. Both offer many coasters and other fun rides. You won’t find as many true thrill rides at Disneyland as at the other parks, although Space Mountain and the Matterhorn Bobsleds certainly qualify.
There aren’t many roller coasters to be found in Hawaii, unless you consider wintertime surfing to qualify in that category. It may be that California offers more ways to trim the budget, but sometimes there are great Hawaii vacation packages to be found on the internet or in the newspaper Travel section.