Florida’s Gulf Coast
While all four corners of Florida have something to offer visitors, the Gulf Coast is particularly special during the winter months. Temperatures are warm but not blazing hot. You can often see manatees and all manner of birds in the state’s rivers, estuaries and beachfront. And, since it’s high season with visitors usually calling from around the globe, attractions and restaurants are expected to be open in full force.
The Gulf Coast covers a lot of ground so you’ll need to narrow down your options before searching for the perfect vacation home. If you’d prefer to be near a city with museums and other cultural attractions, your best bet is the Suncoast, where St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater are all located. If you’re flying instead of driving, it’s a snap with Tampa International Airport (TPA), St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) all in the area. Also nearby are a variety of outdoor venues, such as the renown Caladesi Island State Park, Fort De Soto Park and Tarpon Springs.
A bit farther south is the Cultural Coast, which includes Sarasota and Port Charlotte plus destinations such as Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Lido Key, Venice, Manasota Key and Boca Grande. Myakka River State Park and Forest, Oscar Scherer State Park and Warm Mineral Springs Park are the outdoor draws here in addition to the barrier islands and mainland coast.
Continue south and you’ll arrive at Lee Island Coast — what many consider to be the crown jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Fly into Southwest Florida International Aiport (RSW) for Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva islands, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island. While vacation home rentals have always had a minimum rental period of 30 days on Sanibel, you can find shorter terms in other nearby communities.
Rental homes in the Fort Myers area start around $2,500 a month and most have private pools. Prices go up for properties close to the beach or with a dock. Luxury homes or those on Sanibel Island or Marco Island can set you back $5,000 to $8,000 a month, depending on location and amenities.
Here are a few examples of the type of homes you’ll find on the Gulf Coast.
This high-end home with a private pool, hot tub and dock goes for just shy of $10,000 for January.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
You can enjoy a sleigh ride in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.Not everyone is looking to get away from cold weather. If that describes you, The Berkshires in Western Massachusetts may be a good fit. It’s magical there when snow blankets the region and many of the rentals have a backcountry, log cabin rustic feel. The towns to target in your rental home search include Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington (which is home to an excellent brewery, by the way), Hancock, Lanesborough, Tyringham, North Adams, Pittsfield and Plainfield.
The area is comprised of a series of small towns surrounded by state forests like Beartown, Becket, Middlefield, East Mountain and October Mountain. You will not feel the pull of the big city here. From Stockbridge, it’s a two-hour drive to Boston and three hours to New York City.
In the winter, you can ski, snowboard and snowmobile throughout The Berkshires with Jiminy Peak, Notchview, Butternut, Bousquet and the Berkshire East Ski Area being popular with those that want to hit the slopes. Cross-country skiing is also available at Canterberry and Maple Corner farms.
Just know going into your rental that many attractions (historic homes, museums, gardens and performing arts venues) close through the winter season as do some restaurants. But if your goal is to enjoy your vacation home, the cold weather and the snow, The Berkshires are a good option.
Here’s a taste of the rental options in The Berkshires.
Have you ever wished you lived in a Victorian manor? You can at this rental home in Lee for $6,370 in January.
Phoenix and nearby towns
With beautiful weather throughout the winter, Phoenix or any of the nearby cities of Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert or Chandler may be the perfect spot for a home rental. Like other areas we’ve recommended, there are plenty of nature reserves in this area too. Look for McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Buttes Recreation Area, Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, Phoenix Mountains Preserve and South Mountain Park and Preserve.
Without the searing temperatures this area sees in the summertime, you’ll be able to spend plenty of time outdoors — hiking, biking and enjoying your home’s private pool. And, the location can’t be beaten if you also want to do some day trip sightseeing. You can visit the Grand Canyon (season and weather permitting), Sedona, Tucson, Flagstaff and the Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona.
There are a range of options in the Phoenix area for rent this winter.
In Phoenix near Old Town Scottsdale, this home has an incredible backyard that includes a pool (with slide!), bar and multiple seating areas. It goes for $7,735 a month in January.
San Diego and its environs
Southern California’s San Diego is a hot spot for tourists and it’s not so easy to find bargains here — especially for home rentals. But, there are some solid options in the city as well as nearby in Chula Vista, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carlsbad and Encinitas.
Families adore this area because there’s a lot to do. Nearly everyone takes a harbor cruise, visits nearby La Jolla for kayaking, hits up the San Diego Zoo, enjoys Old Town via a hop-on hop-off trolley, visits Legoland and checks out Balboa Park. Read more about San Diego’s attractions.
Pick this home in Carlsbad on the Pacific Coast Highway and you’ll have beach access directly across the street. It’s part of Airbnb’s “Plus” collection, which means there are more luxuries — like Westin beds — than you’ll find at traditional listings. This one goes for $4,857 for January.
Roll the dice in Las Vegas
You don’t even need to like to gamble to consider a wintertime vacation home rental in Las Vegas or nearby Paradise or Henderson. Of course, this being a desert, the evenings do get chilly here in the winter but all the better to enjoy that fire pit on the patio of your rental home. And, daytime temperatures from January through March range from an average of 59 to 72 degrees.
There are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had here in the winter as you visit Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area or Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. And, you’re within driving distance of the Hoover Dam, Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon and Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. You can also easily drive to Los Angeles or Palm Springs from Vegas.
There are home rentals at all price points in Las Vegas.
If you’re seeking an estate instead of a mere home, look no further than this four-bedroom, 3.5 bath property that features an incredible pool, full-court basketball court and views of the Strip. It goes for $10,159 a month during January.
Bottom line
This winter, you may want to be inspired by new surroundings — at least for a few weeks or months. If you know you’re working from home for the rest of the year, and that the kids will be doing remote school, why not search for the perfect vacation home to enjoy as a reset before the New Year? Book now before all the prime properties are picked over.
Andrea M. Rotondo is senior travel editor at TPG. She’s trailed an orca pod from a skiff in Alaska’s Inside Passage, had an allergic reaction to a cheetah she met at a South African rehabilitation center and hiked the Borneo rainforest to glimpse orangutans in the wild — and she’s written about it all.
Source : The Points Guy
