Favorite Vacation Destinations

So this is Oregon!  My husband and I have spent several weeks over the past few years having long walks and quiet talks along the northern coast of Oregon.  This picture is Cannon Beach, one of the prettiest communities along the coast.  We pretty much stick to June and July for our visits but never mind how cool or rainy it might be.  Retirement may find us here for much lonegr stretches of time!--posted by Becky

 I will agree with Becky that Oregon is beautiful.  Of course, when we were at Cannon Beach it was pouring rain and my then 2-year-old was sleeping in her car seat and my husband went to take a picture . . . .  BUT we enjoyed points on the Oregon Coast south of there like Tillamook, Ocean City, Cape Meares, etc.  The waysides the State of Oregon provides are the coolest ways to get a little touch of the ocean without crossing private property!!!--Sara H.

I would like to nominate an under-rated spot here in Arizona.  It's not technically a "vacation spot," I guess, but it is a beauty spot--Montezuma's Well.  This national monument has lots of water, both gushing and still, desert and riparian environments, Native American ruins, animals, and hardly any humans!  What's not to love?  It's close enough for a day trip, just north of Montezuma's Castle, and I think it's free.  Here's another view:

--Flutiemim 

Beauteous, I must say. Beauteous. Here's a video featuring my favorite spot on earth. Enjoy. -The Barefoot Librarian

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

Coastal Escape:

I agree with Becky about Cannon Beach. Northern beaches are wonderful, especially all the really big driftwood, and the fog. I have fond memories of Cape Lookout in Oregon and Mackerricher Beach by Mendocino.

Anywhere coastal sounds good for a vacation though - and Laguna Beach wins for this Serious Sand Sculpture. (I didn't get the artist's name, but she drew quite a crowd.) Last summer we went for a few days to soak up the sense of pure laziness. A mixture of Public Art, Theater, and sun worship. Can someone tell me if a photo can be sized smaller on this wiki?

Margaret A.

British Columbia + July = Heaven

It appears as if many of us agree that beaches are great vacation spots. For many years, my family has enjoyed vacationing on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Our favorite destinations have been Tofino, which has been designated a United Nations Biosphere, on the wild west coast and Victoria. These two spots offer a nice blend of the pleasures of both the natural world in Tofino and civilization in Victoria, which has the marvelous Royal B.C. Museum, the provincial Parliament building, the Governor-General's Government House with its splendid garden, Beacon Hill Park, a neighborhood tea shop, etc.

Last summer we added three of the Gulf Islands to our itinerary. What a natural treasure! We enjoyed all of the plants and animals we encountered. Here's a harbor seal pup we found sunning itself on Pender Island.

We were hiking past a beaver pond on Galiano Island when we spotted this owl patiently waiting to hunt after the sun set.

Not all our pleasures during this trip were derived from flora and fauna. On Salt Spring Island, we came across this whimsical Pixie Pies stand and were most interested to see that the owners had implemented a customer comment system. The next page had a suggestion from the baker about the best time for Disgruntled to find pies available. We also didn't luck out and find a Pixie Pie to buy when we visited, but the little stand nestled in the trees along a quiet road captured our imagination. -- Posted by LSLibn

Favorite vacation places for mvm's family

 We took a family vacation to North Carolina last fall in fell in love with the area.  Our favorite place was Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington.  It was just gorgeous.  Dana

 San Francisco so far - just about anywhere there, excluding the Tenderloin at night - HCE