Anonymous wrote:Bahamas

Atlantis or Baha Mar

Hahaha

Bahamas

Atlantis or Baha Mar

The Canary Islands won’t be warm in January. It’s a seasonal vacation destination that will feel empty and boring with most shops/restaurants shut down.

Since your family seems content to plop down at a resort, Aruba is perfect: reliably warm and easy. There are activities you can do if you get bored.

My sense is you want something more impressive. Try curaçao or Bonaire.

Aruba fits all the criteria , not tropical, very swimmable, not hours and hours away, fit budget, lots of lodging options.

Anonymous wrote:Travel experts, please help. My kids have an extended break in January (high school, middle and elementary)
We’d love to go somewhere warm but not tropical.
Kids have loved ocean / tide pool vacations in the past. We don’t care about fine dining or luxury resorts. Budget is fairly flexible but flight time ideally under 8 hours.
Thank you in advance for ideas!

Can you elaborate more on where these enjoyable ocean/tide pool vacations took place?

Southern California or Aruba.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Savannah, Charleston, the Florida Keys
Florida, Georgia coast

None of these aside from the Keys will be warm in January

Not always warm then in the Keys. We go there often, and how many sweatshirts have I had to buy there in the winter because I once again forgot to pack one?

Anonymous wrote:Savannah, Charleston, the Florida Keys
Florida, Georgia coast

None of these aside from the Keys will be warm in January

Parts of Portugal and Spain

Savannah, Charleston, the Florida Keys
Florida, Georgia coast

Anonymous wrote:Hawaii?

That is the definition of tropical

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southern California? Sedona?

Daily highs in San Diego are 65 in January. Sedona is 56.

Some of you are really bad at this.

or a different definition of warm

Well, I’m originally from Michigan, so those places are warm as far as I’m concerned. Certainly in the context of “warm, but not tropical.” OP said warm, not hot.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you want the desert. Texas? Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is at high altitude and cold and windy that time of year.

I’d think you find this in Mexico— you just have to adjust your latitude and altitude. (I mean you could go to Mexico City or whale watching in Cabo but it might be a little bit chilly)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southern California? Sedona?

Daily highs in San Diego are 65 in January. Sedona is 56.

Some of you are really bad at this.

or a different definition of warm

+1

San Diego ranges from 50s at night to upper 60s during the day
Palm Springs ranges from 40s at night to 70s during the day

That seems "warm" to me.

From OP:

"Kids have loved ocean / tide pool vacations in the past"

To me, that meant someplace where it would be warm enough to swim in the ocean/sea. This is what confused me, as places that warm in January are pretty much all tropical, by my definition.

Sure, but if OP is thinking that the Canary Islands sound good, then San Diego would fit the bill too. (And a much easier flight.) Regardless of where you choose to go, have a great time, OP!

San Diego is not swimable in January. The water isn't particularly warm at anytime, but especially not in January.