Off-season vacation spots after Christmas? California or elsewhere?

[Lisa0825]

I am going to visit a friend who lives in the LA area the weekend after Christmas. We are thinking about either me flying to LA and us driving somewhere or us both flying somewhere to meet. Is wine country still busy during the winter holidays?

We would like to go somewhere that is relatively off-season to avoid crowds and look for specials. So somewhere that is normally a warm weather destination, but has a few sights to see even in December would be good.

Does anyone have any suggestions for any off-season destinations in the continental US? (or possibly non-US but easy/cheap travel areas)

edited to add: I'll be traveling in from Houston, in case that matters for suggestions.

[hyphenate]

1. It's a bit of a drive

but seeing Zion National Park for New Year's has always been one of my favorite things to do, but you would have to call and find out if they have any accommodations at the Lodge or in Springdale, Utah.

There is nothing there for the most part, only the most beautiful canyon walls rising above you and a sense of serneity and peace. My mom and I would be in bed by 9 (no TV reception) after a hearty dinner in the Lodge's great restaurant, and I would get up at about 11:30, go out into the brisk night air and simply stare at the blackness around me and the stars above and feel at one with the universe.

If you're looking for socializing, though, this isn't a destination for you.

From L.A., we would drive up Route 15, through Vegas, through Mesquite to St. George, Utah, and then take the state road to Springdale to Zion. Springdale is the town right outslde the south gate to Zion, and there is a little activity here, though nothing too much. The drive alone, through the red canyons in the south of Utah, is fascinating enough. One evening while we had been driving back to Zion from a neighboring town in the south, we were surrounded by bats as we drove. Bats are highly maligned, but they're actually quite wonderful creatures. I've been there to Zion in both winter and summer, and each season has its own rewards.

[XemaSab]

2. California is great in the winter

I'm responding knowing that you've probably already taken your trip.

The only areas of California that I can think of that are like, CROWDED with tourists are areas like Yosemite, Disneyland, maybe parts of San Francisco... most of the rest of the state is pretty laid back.

California in the winter can have snow in the mountains and rain in the rest of the state, but I think the wine country would be really, really nice that time of year. Don't just go to the wine country; check out the rest of Sonoma and Marin too... maybe go up into Mendocino county and enjoy the redwoods...

Hope you had a nice trip! :D