USA TODAY 10Best
Georgia's Golden Isles Named Best Warm-Weather Getaway!
Best Warm Weather Getaway (2016)
Sometimes the shorter days and weeks on end of cold weather that come along with the holiday season can give us a serious case of the winter blues.
We asked a panel of travel experts to pick their favorite sun-kissed North American destinations as nominees for Best Warm Weather Getaway. For the past four weeks, USA TODAY 10Best readers have been voting for their favorites.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Warm-Weather Getaway are as follows:
- San Antonio
- Maui, Hawaii
- St. Augustine, Fla.
- Sedona, Ariz.
- Tybee Island, Ga.
- Key West
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Lafayette, La.
- Puerto Rico
- Golden Isles, Ga.
Photo courtesy of Visit San Antonio
No. 10:
Average highs in the 60s, paired with a plethora of historic, cultural and family-friendly attractions, make San Antonio a favorite winter destination for travelers of all types. Tops in the history department, the Alamo Mission draws more than 2.5 million people a year, while Nature lovers can visit the Natural Bridge Caverns, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 9:
A long-favored playground for surfers and beach bums, Maui is one of the world's top island destinations for good reason. To start, the entire west coast of the island is lined with beaches worthy of a postcard appearance, many with wave conditions perfect for surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing. But the lush valleys of the interior are dotted with quaint small towns and cultural and natural wonders, like the towering Haleakala volcano.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 8:
Situated on the banks of the Matanzas River, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in North America is replete with historic attractions, architectural gems and modern-day pirates. The city's pedestrians-only historic district, which dates back to the 1500s, has an unparalleled mix of influences: British, French and Spanish.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 7:
Sedona, located at the heart of Arizona’s stunning Red Rock Country, lies 116 miles north of Phoenix. Mild winter temperatures certainly add to Sedona’s appeal, but the majestic rock formations, artistic scene and blissful spas make for a fantastic getaway, no matter the temperature. Followers of New Age philosophies believe that the region contains some of the world’s most important energy centers, and that coming here promotes balance and well being. We think it’s worth a shot!
Photo courtesy of Visit Savannah
No. 6:
Less than 20 miles from lovely Savannah, Tybee Island is rich in restaurants, seaside live-music venues and eclectic shopping, all set on a three-mile stretch of beautiful Atlantic beach. The focal point of the island is the beautifully restored Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, a maritime landmark that has been guiding sailors since 1736.
Photo courtesy of Laurence Norah/Florida Keys News Bureau
No. 5:
Colorful Key West is quite unlike any other place on earth, thanks to its diverse population of memorable personalities, six-toed cats, gorgeous sunsets and isolation from the continental U.S. Warm winter days on Key West are spent sipping margaritas in the sun, dining on fresh seafood, heading out into the crystal clear waters to explore colorful offshore reefs, or watching the day end at Mallory Square.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 4:
Corpus Christi — the sparkling city by the sea — serves as both a gateway to Padre Island and a beach-filled destination in its own right. When you combine warm gulf waters and sunny skies throughout most of the year, you get a perfect winter getaway. Young vacationers flock to the J.P. Luby Surf Park for volleyball, surfing or bronzing on the sand.
Photo courtesy of Jay Faugot Photography
No. 3:
Where New Orleans provides an introduction to Cajun culture, Lafayette, located 135 miles west, offers a master course. Local live music, cozy B&Bs and excellent restaurants serving world-class Cajun cuisine make it an ideal destination for a quick escape. Vermilionville, a recreated Acadian village near Lafayette, brings the region's Cajun history and heritage to life. Average highs in the 60s make winter a pleasant time to explore.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 2:
Puerto Rico offers a slice of Caribbean tropical paradise right in the backyard of the contiguous United States ... no passport required. The "Island of Enchantment" has something to satisfy every type of traveler - romantic sunsets, fresh seafood dinners, sun-drenched beaches, colorful and storied Old San Juan, mountains, rain forests and a melting pot of cultural influences to tie it all together.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 1:
Situated halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, Georgia's four barrier islands — St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Jekyll Island — collectively called the Golden Isles, encompass pristine wetlands, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife and a host of historic attractions. Average highs in the 60s and 70s throughout December and January make it comfortable to explore the great outdoors of Georgia's coast.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Larry Bleiberg, Eric Grossman, Anna Hider (Roadtrippers) and Gerrish Lopez were chosen based on their extensive experience covering travel in North America.
Other nominated destinations included Fairhope, Fort Myers, Honolulu, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego and Virginia Beach.
Congratulations to all our warm weather winners!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Anna Hider
Anna is a writer and social media manager for
Anna is a writer and social media manager for Roadtrippers, the coolest trip-planning site and app on the planet, where she's spent two years digging up the coolest off-the-beaten-path things for travelers to see and do. She loves hiking, exploring, and sometimes even getting lost in a good state park, and is definitely a sucker for any place with a waterfall, a ghost town or a beach.
Anna Hider
Anna is a writer and social media manager for Roadtrippers, the coolest trip-planning site and app on the planet, where she's spent two years digging up the coolest off-the-beaten-path things for travelers to see and do. She loves hiking, exploring, and sometimes even getting lost in a good state park, and is definitely a sucker for any place with a waterfall, a ghost town or a beach.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Larry Bleiberg
Larry Bleiberg, a veteran journalist with... Read More
Larry Bleiberg, a veteran journalist with magazine, newspaper and web experience and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, has spent much of his career living in, and writing about, the South. The Virginia native is former travel editor of the Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine and founder of CivilRightsTravel.com. He served on a Pulitzer Prize team, is a seven-time Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award winner, and was honored for producing the best newspaper travel section in North America. Learn more at LarryBleiberg.com or facebook.com/larry.bleiberg.
Larry Bleiberg
Larry Bleiberg, a veteran journalist with magazine, newspaper and web experience and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, has spent much of his career living in, and writing about, the South. The Virginia native is former travel editor of the Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine and founder of CivilRightsTravel.com. He served on a Pulitzer Prize team, is a seven-time Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award winner, and was honored for producing the best newspaper travel section in North America. Learn more at LarryBleiberg.com or facebook.com/larry.bleiberg.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice... Read More
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
