I know people are vacationing in San Diego by the license plates. Near the beach, in addition to all the Zonies (from Arizona, getting away from the heat), I’ve seen New Jersey, Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana, Nevada, and more.
@marilyn is right about San Diego. This summer looks like a typical summer here with lots of tourists.
I think lots of people are traveling. Everyone wants to think that going to a vacation rental and just hanging out at the beach and eating in will be low stress. That’s fine, just know that every one else is thinking the same thing.
TripAdvisor forums used to be very helpful. Now they are mostly people shaming.
I just read today that 31% of Americans have traveled since March 1. Some were to visit family but most were non-necessary leisure travel.
Article in the paper yesterday (I think it might have been a national story) about the National Parks, mostly talking about Grand Canyon and how it is still very busy. Yes, they take reservations but still very full.
My friend said “Who would take their family on a driving vacation in the US?” Well, SHE did, took her son and his girlfriend to Moab and camped but to her that’s not the same as her son is an adult and it was just the 3 of them. She was really mad when her daughter came to visit and she spent several days trying to get a slot at Rocky Mtn NP and then was shocked, shocked I tell you, that it was crowded. How did she not think it would be crowded when it took her days to get a time to get in? She’s also shocked that the local hiking paths are crowded.
I think the NP will be crowded until they close them again. There is nothing else to do around here as most of the public pool are closed. Go to the mountains, hike, rent a hotel with a pool. That’s summer vacation.
How did they define travel? Well, we stayed put (meaning we never got more than 25 miles away from the house). But kid and her BF went camping. Drove from Seattle to… Federal Way! Localities will chuckle. Camping in FW? Lol. The kids survived. So… is it travel or not? Hmmm…
(Now they are off to Eastern Washington, and I am on pins and needles. They will be staying in Covid central. Ugh. )
I think local drive able places will be crowded this summer. Here in San Diego, my little piece of oceanfront is ultra crowded at sunset. There is a brand new AirBnb next door (don’t get me started on that disaster) that has been fully booked with extended family every weekend. They are wearing masks and don’t seem to really go anywhere.
Oh I am so sorry @coralbrook. Can’t imagine having an Airbnb next door. We rescued the ‘hood by buying a house that used to be one. Your place is so amazing though. Even with that nuisance…
We had to drive younger S twice to pick up stuff from his dorm and then move out of his dorm. It’s 3 hours each way. Does that count? We also helped older S move. That was 5 hours each way and included an overnight stay. That probably does count.
And I’m sorry about the Airbnb next door. We can relate. The house next to us was foreclosed on several years ago. The who bought it illegally rented it out to as many college students as he could. The first year it was the football team club house. The second year, it was an unsanctioned frat. It drove H crazy and I blame them for causing our elderly neighbor’s stroke/heart problems. Fortunately, he got tired of the city threatening to take him to court and sold it. The new renters are a wonderful family who may buy it. But now, the elderly neighbors sold their place (it took 3 years). The person who bought it is renting it to… more college students who hung a frat flag outside. Ugh. But at least they are across the wide street.
We spent 13.5 hours in the car yesterday, stopping only for gas & rest stop breaks. Our hotel seems to be taking COVID cleaning seriously, but I also brought & used my own cleaning/sanitizing supplies. Staff is all wearing masks (correctly, I will add), but we are the only ones wearing them among customers we have seen. I am not thrilled with the potential of getting sick from all the folks around here … hotel & other public areas … just because people won’t wear masks. It’s not a big deal … I promise to wear pants if you promise to wear a mask.
Any thoughts on Palm Springs during the week. A friend of mine asked what I thought. They would be driving, staying in a hotel and dining outside. She lives in a tiny house and has all of her kids home since March and is feeling the need for some away time.
The drive to Palm Springs is not bad. Might be awfully hot there now! The hotel pool might be closed… not sure if I would want to sit in a room all day long, eat dinner outside, and that would be the extent of the vacation.
I couldn’t find the article about vacations again (on my phone, probably a Yahoo article). I’d guess the definition was staying away from home overnight as I don’t think counted day trips.
Personally, I still think the grocery store is the most likely place to exchange the virus. People touching everything, waiting in lines to check out, reaching across people for an item…
I wish the National Parks would all do reservations and keep the crowds low for the summer and the fall because it seems like that kind of vacation would be pretty safe if it could be less crowded and have people wear masks. I also wish more beach parking lots could do reservations online ahead of time so the crowds could be minimized. It’s all either closed or too crowded!
I still haven’t gone anywhere farther than 25 minutes away. I would love to go on a road trip but the truth is, I always need to stop a lot and break up the driving. I hate eating in the car. Getting out for meals and walking around keeps me more alert driving. And right now, I don’t have anyone in my household who is up for any kind of trip. If I did, I would go on a camping trip.
Palm Springs is miserable in the summer. It would be miserable in a hotel. It might be fun in a vacation rental with a pool. Buy and bring a mister system (or see if one available at the house). You might be able to tolerate sitting outside in shade with a mister system early mornings and later evenings. I would not count on too many great outdoor dining experiences for every single meal in that heat.
You literally cannot go out for walks during daylight hours.
I’m not the one going. I’m very happy staying home, enjoying my own slice of paradise. Palm Springs or any hot spot isn’t my ideal vacation. I’m not sure why they picked Palm Springs as it is a 7 hour drive for them. Hotel pool is open. I’m sure her husband likes the idea because it’s cheap this time of the year.
@mom60 - I suspect any change of scenery would be good for them if they have been cooped up in a small house with a bunch of others. I would do it but would bring ample de-coviding supplies and wear masks all the time.
is that FL or CA??
@Rivet2000 Ca
@mom60 Please let me know how/if the trip goes. I have a trip to make in August and will overnight in Palm Springs so any info will be appreciated.