Well yes, I had only two other folks join me for a dip in Ocean Shores, WA. So there are people in the water all the time, but not "people" like he's (the OP) is thinking people (throngs, masses, large cadres. . .)

I can do it. I have done it. I acclimated. . . but:
1. Why go north of Santa Cruz unless you love surfing (versus the OP wanting miles and miles of "beach-related-recreational-good-time")?
2. None of my East Coast folks thought I was sane (to point of the OP).

Like I said, gotta change the expectations. . . not good, not bad, just different.

 

Well yes, I had only two other folks join me for a dip in Ocean Shores, WA. So there are people in the water all the time, but not "people" like he's (the OP) is thinking people (throngs, masses, large cadres. . .)

I can do it. I have done it. I acclimated. . . but:
1. Why go north of Santa Cruz unless you love surfing (versus the OP wanting miles and miles of "beach-related-recreational-good-time")?
2. None of my East Coast folks thought I was sane (to point of the OP).

Like I said, gotta change the expectations. . . not good, not bad, just different.
[/quote]

How is Ocean Shores nowadays? I went with a relative there about 10 years ago and they bought some land with the idea of possibly building a house in the future.. When I was there, there wasn't much .. Besides the nearby casino.

 

I don't know, I was there 15 years ago.

I guess this is kind of On-Topic. . . Washington may be a good choice for the OP, although again, not exactly fun-in-the-sun beaches. . .

 

North Texas/Dallas


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3akRcTZ64cQ#t=163[/media]

 

San Diego or Hawaii.

 

Raleigh, NC. You've got Wake Med and Duke Hospital Systems right here in the Triangle. Weather rocks and humidity is lower than GA or FL. And you're 5 hours from the Dragon.

 

I'm a native Vermonter who went to college in upstate NY.
22 Winters was more than enough for me.

I've been a Los Angeles resident for the last 14 years and they have been blissful.
LA has a bad reputation on the East Coast...I suspect it's one of those Iceland/Greenland paradoxes.

Here's my suggestion since you have the freedom to live/work pretty much wherever you want:

Take 2 weeks off. Fly to San Diego and spend 2 weeks slowly driving to Portland or even to Seattle.
Take your time, see what feels right.
Then plan on going back to your favorite spots for a longer duration once you've found them.

At the very least, you'll have an incredible experience.
You won't EVER regret driving CA1 up the most spectacular coastal drive this continent has to offer.

Just my .02 and good luck!

 

Great advice! That's one of our most anticipated trips. There are so many things I want to see on the west coast.

Just as an update: We just got back from a 4-day trip to rehoboth beach, delaware and philly, pa and had a great time. Once my girlfriend graduates college next year we'll be doing a lot more traveling. We may also be flying out to see a friend in austin texas sometime this summer (it isn't really on my list but we love traveling regardless).

This thread has been fun, keep the suggestions coming everyone

 

Texas review. Dallas is nice. Houston is also nice but the humidity is ridiculous. San Antonio is pretty much blue collar compared to the other two and not a good place for 20- somethings. Austin is nice, but very liberal and just plain weird. In Texas I'd take Dallas. And I know you said you gave a gf but Dallas women are HOT!

If considering Texas, you should really spend an August here. You might not think that snow is too bad.

 

San Diego
/thread.