Places Where Summer Lasts Longer

 

SANTA BARBARA, CA

Locals know that fall, not summer, is the loveliest time of year on this piece of the Golden State coast, when summer’s typically foggy mornings give way to warm, golden days in the low to mid-70s. Browsing the shops on State Street becomes a little more relaxed once the kids are back in school, there are fewer tourists at the Santa Barbara Mission, and there’s a little more room on the beaches.Insider Tip: Just east of State Street, between Hwy. 101 and the beach, is an up-and-coming neighborhood called the , home to artists, shops, galleries, microbreweries, and a good number of the tasting rooms on Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail.

 

LAS VEGAS, NV

Winter—such as it is in the desert—comes late and leaves early in Vegas. Daytime temps grow comfortably warm (low 80s) after the searing heat of summer, meaning you can still snag some serious pool time well into October. It’s also a great time to venture off of the Strip and into the surrounding desert, something you’d hardly want to do in July or August. There are many companies that offer Jeep, buggy, horse, and even Hummer rides, and the West Rim of the Grand Canyon is a popular day trip.Insider Tip: at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel has dependably great French fare and wine, and one of the best outdoor dining views in town: directly across the street from the Bellagio Fountains.

 

MIAMI BEACH, FL

Hurricane season officially runs through November here, but by September the rainy season is starting to peter out, and October’s average rainfall is considerably less. Despite daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-80s, this is probably the least crowded season on the beach, and with hotels and resorts bracing themselves for the frenzied winter season, there are great deals to be had, even in ritzy South Beach.Insider Tip: One of the best deals in town is , a free taxi service that will pick you up in one of their six-passenger electric golf carts within 15 minutes of calling them, and deliver you around the South Beach area—they just ask that you tip the driver. They also offer a 3.5-hour  ($110) by golf cart that starts in South Beach and then travels over the causeway to taste some of the best of Miami’s neighborhoods.

 

MOAB, UT

Summers in Moab are very warm—consistently in the 90s—but early fall brings daytime temps down to the mid-70s, which offers welcome relief to the large number of mountain bikers who come to challenge the numerous trails, and hikers who use Moab as a base of operations to visit Canyonlands and Arches National Park. Nature and adventure sports are the main attractions here, whether it’s rafting the Colorado River, canyoneering, or horseback riding.Insider Tip: After striking out on your adventure du jour, head back to Moab for that dinner you’ve earned. Head to for homemade pasta filled with parmesan and truffled mushrooms. Over at , starters include a mixed-game skewer of boar, elk and buffalo sausage.

 

SAN ANTONIO, TX

With average temperatures in the mid-80s or warmer, autumn days are still languidly warm deep in the heart of Texas. Once summer’s scorching heat has cooled down, it’s a great time for exploring the nearby Hill Country (and hitting a winery or two) or checking the Alamo off your bucket list. Save a couple of hours to visit the one-square-block  and its many folk-art artists, in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.Insider Tip: Take in panoramic views of the Hill Country from the observation deck of the 750-foot , or if you have more time, enjoy dinner at the revolving Chart House restaurant. Then enjoy a cocktail at the famous , where Teddy Roosevelt reportedly used it as a base to recruit the Rough Riders.

 

MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Myrtle Beach, about halfway down the 60-mile Grand Strand in northeast South Carolina, is a favorite for families with kids, with its mile-long boardwalk and a wide, tranquil beach. Come October, the days are warm and mild, with highs in the mid-70s, making it perfect for beachcombing, golfing (there are around 100 courses), or fishing—one of the most popular activities here. If you want to see an undeveloped side of this resort town, head to  300 acres of preserved maritime forest that includes miles of hiking trails.

Insider Tip: At nearly 200 feet above sea level, the is the tallest Ferris wheel east of the Mississippi, boasting panoramic views over Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Come dusk, more than a million LED lights create an impressive light show into the night that can be seen from just about anywhere in Myrtle Beach.

 

SAN DIEGO, CA

San Diego is a bustling coastal destination even in October, when temperatures hover in the mid-70s. Locals and tourists alike soak in the warmth while jogging or cycling the path along Pacific Beach, or strolling the chi-chi shopping areas in La Jolla. At night, the historic Gaslight Quarter downtown is where you'll find fine dining, rooftop cocktails, and nightclub dancing.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the drive across the San Diego-Coronado bridge to Coronado and its eponymous beach, consistently ranked as one of the best in the country. Stroll down Orange Avenue to browse the many shops, then grab lunch at the Ferry Landing, with its gorgeous views of the San Diego Skyline. Then wander through the grand hotel built in 1888.

source>http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/10-places-where-summer-lasts-longer