I hope this is the best forum for this question: We’d like to get all our kids and grandkids together for a long weekend - 3 or 4 days - to celebrate a big birthday. But where? Our requirements and preferences are these - near some water, warmish weather, not too altitudinous, not in a hotel but maybe a rental big house, in the U.S., near things to see and do, during the spring, and (I know this will sound contradictory) not terribly expensive. I mean, I know it will cost us, but we’re not looking for a luxurious, resorty life, with its attendant prices, but maybe a not so well traveled spot where the price gets you plenty. Any ideas, Dopers? xo,
C.
If you’re splitting the cost that many ways, you could opt for a big ole’ 4 or 5 bedroom rental home near a Florida beach. I like the west coast (Tampa/Clearwater) area moreso than the east coast (Cocoa), but Cocoa might have the better home options.
Some of those homes have screen-covered pools too, so if it’s cloudy/might rain you can swim at home.
The OC in southern California. Warm unhumid weather. No mosquito’s. Tons of family friendly actvites. Rent a house on the Balboa Peninsula.
No mosquito’s whaaaaaaat?
We’ve had good luck in the suburbs of Las Vegas. A nice house via VRBO, with pool, etc. Good access to places like Red Rock canyon, Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire, and all the debauchery the strip and downtown LV can offer.
Great start. Thank you. I needed to add (duh), western U.S. preferable since that’s where many of us will start from.
However, is the water warm in spring? To me it looks like Florida is the best bet even if it would be muggier than southern California.
There is no warm water, pools excluded, but no Zica either. 
Also there is much more to do in a smaller area.
Texas. Gulf temperature averages at least 70° in April and risk of Zika is relatively low.
Warmest water I’ve ever been in was off Grand Isle, Louisiana. That should suit your “not so well traveled” requirement given that it’s not really near anywhere.
A quick check of AirBnB returns a nice house for 16 in Galveston at $295/night. The only house that size in Grand Isle runs $500/night.
We took all our grandchildren to Galvestion last year. Highly recommend.
Where to go for 4 days of warm, wet R&R in spring? How can I not say “your mom”??
Ok seriously…Galveston fans please elaborate. I was tasked with finding a family vacation spot a couple years ago, and if I recall the impression I got was that Galveston wasn’t that pretty, beaches were meh and the water was polluted due to the port. Correct me!
My relatives in Beaumont go down to Galveston at least once a year. I’ve not heard any complaints.