Looking to catch some rays this winter? Head to the USA and you'll find destinations that have plenty of sunshine when it's winter over here. Florida is an absolute classic for a wintertime break, with its palm fringed tropical beaches and famous theme parks, but there are other great places to discover too. Here's our pick of best spots for an American winter sunshine holiday.
Cocktails and cactus in Greater Palm Springs, California
Head to
Greater Palm Springs for sunshine and blue skies during our winter months - right - it's an natural and cultural oasis in the desert. The main city of Palm Springs is famous for its chic mid-century modern hotels and homes, with spectacularly exotic desert scenery as a backdrop. Get into the spirit with a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum or the Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium. Winter is the perfect time for exploring the iconic local outdoor attractions in the Greater Palm Springs area, including Joshua Tree National Park and the Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Get outdoorsy in Tucson, Arizona
For a winter sun holiday with a difference, head to the desert. The city of
Tucson, Arizona, boasts 350 days of sunshine as well as an extraordinary desert landscape. There's
tonnes to do outdoors here; just head into the Sonora Desert for world-class biking, climbing, hiking, and horseriding in a spectacular cactus-studded landscape.
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Head for Peak performance in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fitness enthusiasts should consider
Colorado Springs. Not only does it enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year, and some truly spectacular surrounding landscapes, it's also one of the best cities to get sporty in the USA. Join the locals' fun run on Thursday in the extraordinary Garden of the Gods park, left, or hike up the state's famous Pike's Peak mountain, or head elsewhere for whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, standup paddleboarding, rockclimbing. For a fully holistic experience, there are plenty of places to get away from it all with a digital detox.
Beaches and birdlife in Port Aransas, Texas
Lush silver beaches, gentle dolphin cruises and sensational bird life: if that's the sort of winter sunshine you're looking for then
Port Aransas, Texas, might be what you're looking for. Texas might not be an obvious destination for a winter sun break but this peninsula that hugs the Gulf of Mexico has balmy weather during the winter months and is hugely popular with Americans. This mellow town offers shopping, beach walks, fishing, golf and more.
Combine city and beach in San Diego, California
You can combine big city thrills with a beach break in
San Diego. This coastal city, which boasts 70 miles of spectacular coastline, has a mild climate all year round, with average temperatures between November and February ranging from 15 to 21 degrees. Head here for great surfing, right, or go hiking in some of
California's spectacular national parks.
Deep sea fishing and a small town vibe in Grand Isle, Louisiana
A two-hour drive from
New Orleans will take you to the sun-kissed and mellow beachside community of Grand Isle. This pretty island and town on the Gulf of Mexico is just the place to unwind, with family-owned shops and restaurants, as well as buckets of southern charm. This place is particularly well known for its deep sea fishing, but there's plenty of other outdoorsy stuff to do, too, with a state park to explore (that also has camping and RV facilities), fantastic wildlife-spotting and all the watersports activities you could want.