Where in the USA can you get the most climate change in the shortest distance? (beaches, rating)

[ncguy444]

Don't know if this has ever been brought up. My guess would be somewhere in Southern California. I know you get a lot of variation from elevation change but is there a place where you are close to the same elevation and there is considerable deviation?

[Chicago60614]

I was going to say, elevation is the #1 factor.

It's probably somewhere on a similar elevation that has mountains separating - thereby causing drastic differences in climates from one side of the mountains to the other.

[kidphilly]

Has to be in the west, probably CA from death valley up into snow covered mountain peaks

[TommyCarcetti]

West Coast.

The place has microclimates that don't exist in most parts of the country. Definitley not in the mid atlantic where I'm from.

[DinsdalePirahna]

Southern California, you can surf and ski in the same day (its a bit of a challenge but a couple of my friends have done it).

In early spring it can be below freezing with snow in Big Bear Lake, and within an hour you can be in 80 degree weather at the base of the mountains.

[DynamoLA]

Hawaii had a pretty big climate difference. We watched the sun rise in Maui on Haleakala (I think it's about 10,000 feet up), and it was below freezing. Hopped on our bikes and coasted down the mountain and it was the usual balmy tropical Hawaii weather.

(It's really fun too if you ever get a chance to do it).

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by DynamoLA

Hawaii had a pretty big climate difference. We watched the sun rise in Maui on Haleakala (I think it's about 10,000 feet up), and it was below freezing. Hopped on our bikes and coasted down the mountain and it was the usual balmy tropical Hawaii weather.

(It's really fun too if you ever get a chance to do it).

it's about 25 miles (by road) to the beaches down near Kihei, I believe Haleakala offers the greatest elevation change from sea level in the shortest distance in the world. Mauna Kea on the Big Island is just a bit under 14,000 ft and offers the ability to snow ski and snow board and is probably less than 50 miles to the beaches of Kona and beyond.

[A&M_Indie_08]

San Francisco bay area.... microclimates galore in a small area

[T. Damon]

The Palm Springs Tramway.

[mstnghu2]

Originally Posted by A&M_Indie_08

San Francisco bay area.... microclimates galore in a small area

Definitely. It can be foggy and 55 degrees on a July day sometimes in San Francisco and can be 90 degrees at the same time in places like Walnut Creek and Danville. Similarly, in the summer it can be 80 degrees in San Jose and sunny and you can head over the hill to Santa Cruz and it's 60 degrees and overcast.