Hubby & I are stumped on where to take our 17 yo (boy/girl) twins for summer vacation. We loved the idea of going to Sayulita, MX. It offered what we thought we were looking for, airbnb, water activities in warm blue waters, land activities (Segway, zip lining) stuff the kids like to do. BUT! Norovirus is prominent there right now, so a no go. We would like a small town atmosphere, walk to restaurants, local mom & pop shops etc. with the above suggestions in mind. I have googled for ideas, can’t seem to find anything for older teen vacations, only younger family vacations. Don’t want to fly more than 6 hours, not sure of budget yet. Appreciate your insight or experiences!

Kelley
What about California? You can get a place on the beach somewhere between LA & San Diego. Our dollar is shit right now so it might be pricy.

Kelley funny you should say that, I was just looking at Carlsbad in San Diego!

Michelle Cates Vanderkracht The Oregon coast is amazing, and we found the roads to be slightly better in Oregon and Washington than in California (we drove all around in 2011, so quite some time ago). In Oregon, you can visit the Goonies House as that's where they filmed the movie and you can rent ATVs to ride in Sand Dune National Recreation Area. In Washington, we did part of the Chuckanut Trail in 2014, which was amazing and there is the Roozengaard Tulip Festival in April. Lots of markets and indie restaurants and some really good antique shops throughout the area. Both states have great beaches, hiking/cycling trails and breathtaking scenic views.

Michelle Cates Vanderkracht loved Carlsbad. We did the California coast 2 years ago & loved it. There is so much to do in San Diego.

Heather Goralski this sounds an awesome idea! We will be flying, any recommendations on where to stay? Perhaps ocean front?

Kelley Carlsbad looks beautiful! Where would you recommend staying? I’ve been looking on airbnb. The beach looks long there, not sure if we should stay north or south, or if it matters. We will rent a car, but would like to walk to the beach, restaurants etc

We just got back from Carlsbad, but with teens I would honestly say that Mission Beach in San Diego is even better. We've rented condos right on the beach, there's always so much going on.

Kelley thanks for the tip!!!

We just got home from Sayulita. We had a great time. The only sickness we had was motion sickness after the cab ride. If you decide to go rent a golf cart for the week.

Colleen Moore glad to hear you had a good time & no sickness! We read the trip advisor reviews & always take them with a grain of salt. However, too many talked about Norovirus & that we took to heart. Did you stay in a rental or hotel?

Michelle Cates Vanderkracht We stayed at the El Plueblito Hotel. We booked through west jet. Nice big two story room and a pool (not heated). The staff were friendly and helpful. I saw those reviews right before we went and was very nervous. Not sure how easy the tours are to access. We took the bus to PV and it took 2 hours.

Colleen Moore very helpful info, thank you Colleen!

Definitely San Diego. We go every few years and we never run out of things to do. My girls are 18 and 15.

What would you recommend in San Diego with teenagers?

Keri where do you recommend staying? Another person mentioned staying at Mission Beach

we stay out in national city. It’s close to the border and shopping and only 20 min to downtown

Huatulco! Has everything you're looking for, and it's our favourite place in Mexico.

Summer is far too hot and muggy and rainy in Huatulco. Even the locals suffer. Another time of year it is my favourite vacation spot!

Cindy we’ve been to Huatulco as well, but in the winter!

Cindy I 100% agree.

Following as we are searching for the same thing!

Karen Schneider Shapka us too.
We have 3 teenagers. ....
Mexico in the summer is super humid!!! We looooove Mexico but didn’t enjoy it at all during the summer months.

We need to keep each other posted on our finds!!

Michelle Cates Vanderkracht yes sounds great. Will do
We’ve looked at Maui - the prices are outrageous in the summer.

Allison they are!

Have you spent much time on Vancouver Island? Great place to explore from city of Victoria to Tofino, our kids love it there. You can take a ferry from Victoria over to Seattle for a few days...

Michelle check out avatar grove, nice short hike in

Croatia... the best time of year to visit is our summers

Darnell McKinley platvica lakes

Where in Croatia would you recommend? Never been. Want to go with teenagers.

Allison , I have been to Split, Zadar, Zagreb I want to go next time to Debrovnik where some of game of thrones is filmed Or was. Plitvice Lakes is a must if you go. My son son is getting married this September to a beautiful Croatian lady

Jenny Racich congrats!
thank you. I will save this info

Allison, Havar, Dubrovnik!

Have you considered Oregon? The coast is amazing. We took our 14 yo daughter last summer. Dune buggy rides around the Florence area were so. Much. Fun. Interior Oregon has a bunch of fun things, too. There’s a really fun adventure park at Skibowl. Crater Lake and Oregon Caves are must-sees. After having seen some of what Oregon has to offer, I can say that it is one of the more overlooked places we’ve been, and I don’t know why. State park campgrounds are great, roads were fine. Columbia Gorge is still recovering from the Eagle Creek Fire but still full of things to see and do.

Also, added bonus of no sales tax (I hope that’s still true)

We did that 3 years ago went down the Oregon Coast. It is beautiful and so much to see and do!!

not far from sayulita is Bucerias its great !!! water is safe and the resort i stay at many times is Royal Decameron

Juno Croutze this is a great resort...

Juno Croutze , Bucerias is where a 67 year old women got beat up badly in her villa. A lot of crime there.

Jenny Racich crime everywhere... been going there for 20 yrs no problem

Jenny Racich we were just there for the day with our 3 kids and felt completely safe

Go to Vancouver Island! Great beaches lots to do...

Costa Rica! Malpais would fit the bill well. If you have extra time you could hop on a short flight to Drake Bay and visit the rainforest.

Try Costa Rica, Tamarindo has a lot of that type of thing

Charlotte, North Carolina! And then go http://usnwc.org
You can whitewater raft, paddleboard, zip line, ninja adventure course, mountain bike, etc. It’s amazingly fun and your twins would love it! Charlotte and around there is also amazing and nothing beats southern hospitality.

Check weather where you are going. Summer is rainy season in many places which can mean daily downpours.

I would head over to Vancouver Island. Our $$ won't depreciate over there. It is so beautiful!! There is so much to see & do. There might even be a few festivals,or sand castle contests etc..when you plan to go ~ you might want to rent a car. I took my 22 yr old daughter there a few yrs back, we both loved it. I am from Van.,(now live in Edm.) so I am very familiar with the Island.

Following but totally second Oregon, esp with teenagers.

Radium... even though u dont need to fly! Great summer activities for everyone!

Lots of good info provided by you folks, thank you so much! I have some serious research & planning to do! Many thanks

I am in Ambergris Caye Belize right now. It’s an awesome area to ck out!

Italy. There are always flight discounts. There are b&b's. I have been to many places...at least half a dozen times to all inclusives in Mexica and Cuba. I worked in Mexico for a year. It is incredible if you can go to special places for a week or so. I have visited or worked in all the continents except Antarctica. If you do go to Italy, don't miss the city, Barcelona, in Spain. I have recommended this to people and it has been an "oh, wow!" If so inclined, your kids will enjoy picking the itinerary.
Next suggestion is Hawaii.

Maui would be perfect!

Costa rica....flight not that long.

Cabarete, Dominican Republic!

Jamaica!

Hawaii

Sedona Arizona!!

Try Roatan!

Loreto Mexico