Closest spot on map to escape Oregon winters? (driving only) (Portland: casinos, shop)

[ThanksABunch]

I'm looking to escape the Oregon winter this year but I can only go for about two weeks. I also prefer to drive. I would assume it is southern california desert but I'm thinking Nevada might be a good choice too...but don't know either area well.

I'm more interested in outdoor activities than casinos and shopping. I just want mellow atmosphere and lots of sun.

Any suggestions? Anyone know the closest destination that offers comfortable temps? Doesn't have to be hot but pleasant, dry, and sunny.

[kadylady]

I was in Vegas once during the winter and it was COLD!

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by ThanksABunch

I'm looking to escape the Oregon winter this year but I can only go for about two weeks. I also prefer to drive. I would assume it is southern california desert but I'm thinking Nevada might be a good choice too...but don't know either area well.

I'm more interested in outdoor activities than casinos and shopping. I just want mellow atmosphere and lots of sun.

Any suggestions? Anyone know the closest destination that offers comfortable temps? Doesn't have to be hot but pleasant, dry, and sunny.

Honestly, I'd just look for a cheap flight to San Diego or Tucson--or better yet Hawaii or Cabo San Lucas.

Once you get over the Cascades you have drier and sunnier weather--although much colder through most of the winter. Even then, a lot of the time Eastern Oregon is still cloudy in the winter and bitter cold. To the south, within a long drive, you've got California and Nevada. Nevada can be pretty cold, especially at night in the winter. Even Vegas can be pretty chilly. But if you like high desert, sunny and dry weather, Vegas and Southern Nevada aren't that far(really about a 2 day drive at least). Much of the desert SW is going to be similar although depending on altitude and lattitude you'll see some variation.

The California Coast get's progressively milder as you go south. But there's no guarantee of good weather--in a El Niño of La Niña year like this winter will probably be, there's a good chance of rain and brutal storms hitting the coast during the winter. Then again it could also be sunny and 65-70 degrees, although you've more likely to get this once you get south of the Bay Area and much more likely once you get to far Southern California.

[kadylady]

We were in Santa Cruz a couple of years ago over the Christmas Holiday, and it was sunny and beautiful. Shorts weather. You just never know. We also spent another holiday around Tuscon, Az. That was also nice.
I would say that the best bet would be Southern California for nice outdoor weather during the winter.
But, again, there are no guarantees. Costa Rica is nice

[mwruckman]

I would recommend San Jose and Santa Clara county, it tends to be a little warmer and drier than San Francisco. It is often warm enough to ditch the jacket. I'd also choose the San Jacquin Valley from Stockton on South apart from the fogs it is nice and sunny.

[tablemtn]

Don't be fooled by the fact that much of Nevada is a desert - especially in the northern parts of the state, a lot of that is high desert (as in altitude), and it gets frigid at times in the winter - temperatures well below zero are not unusual, and they are sometimes accompanied by vicious winter winds.

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Don't be fooled by the fact that much of Nevada is a desert - especially in the northern parts of the state, a lot of that is high desert (as in altitude), and it gets frigid at times in the winter - temperatures well below zero are not unusual, and they are sometimes accompanied by vicious winter winds.

Yeah, it can be cold as ice in Nevada in winter:


Foreigner - Cold As Ice - YouTube

[kadylady]

Here's another: Death Valley, CA. A place I never thought I would go, but found it beautiful in the winter. I believe the average temps are around mid 60's in Dec and Jan. We did a driving trip.....stopped in Mammoth for snow-mobile fun. We were with friends who knew the area. We spent about 6 days exploring and had lovely weather the entire time. That was also over Christmas.

[Hawk J]

Laughlin,NV/Bullhead City,AZ are usually about 10 degrees warmer then Vegas, in winter. (Windy at times). Lake Havasu & Yuma have pretty nice winter weather.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by Deezus

Honestly, I'd just look for a cheap flight to San Diego or Tucson--or better yet Hawaii or Cabo San Lucas.

I was going to say that the best place you can go to escape Oregon winters via driving is Portland International Airport.