I’ve been thinking about where I could go with a lot of vacation attractions, but will be sensitive to my tight budget. You might put a Southern California vacation on your list. There you will find theme parks, beaches, great weather and a lot more.
Hawaii would be another option. It’s hard to beat the beautiful warm ocean water, but it does not offer as much overall variety as Southern California. There’s a friendly comparison between vacations in California vs. Hawaii at the SoCal Vacation Guru that you might find interesting. 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. As we noted, the Hawaiian waters are warmer, but in the middle of summer, the cooler California water can be more invigorating.
Hawaii does have an advantage with such beautiful natural countryside and vegetation, enhanced by the local Polynesian culture. However, the California coastline, mountains and desert are quite beautiful as well, and the place is a melting pot of cultural diversity.
The beaches are just one of many attractions to be enjoyed in Southern California. Don’t forget about the seven world-class theme parks waiting for your visit. Knott’s Berry Farm and Magic Mountain offer some great roller coasters, among many other attractions. Both offer many coasters and other fun rides. In fact, they offer more thrill rides than Disneyland, although the Magic Kingdom does include some fast attractions such as the Matterhorn and Space Mountain.
Hawaii does not offer roller coasters, but does offer surfing on the North Shore of Oahu in the wintertime. California is probably a more budget-friendly summer travel option, but now and then you really do need to get over to Hawaii.
