Beach (or otherwise) vacation in September or October

June 20, 2017 10:32 AM

My spouse and I have been through significant grief and loss over the past year and are hoping to schedule a vacation for some serious self-care. We prefer something on the beach and are open to international travel, even something a little more exotic. Of course, there are concerns about rainy seasons, hurricanes, etc. this time of year. Another concern is Zika, as we are hoping for a pregnancy in the near future. A non-beach vacation will not be a deal-breaker, but we are not looking for a super active vacation, rather something to heal and rest. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
posted by LinneaJC to Travel & Transportation (16 answers total)

Where are you?
posted by thewumpusisdead at 10:36 AM on June 20, 2017

Yeah, not sure where you would be coming from, but Martha's Vineyard is awesome and chill (as in relaxing, not cold) in September, places to stay are a little more affordable, and I know a few nooks and crannies. MefiMail me if you want more info or decide to visit.
posted by vrakatar at 10:40 AM on June 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

Do you want a swimming-in-the-ocean beach vacation, or a looking-at-the-ocean beach vacation? Because if the latter would work, then you should fly to San Francisco, rent a car, and drive north to Sea Ranch, on the Sonoma coast. You can look at houses to rent here (I think I've used this particular site before, they're all kind of similar). Buy groceries in Gualala, just to the north, and then do nothing. Sit in the hot tub. Take walks along the bluffs or on Walk On beach, or out to Gualala Point. Sit on the deck and stare at the water or the meadows. September and October are typically the best weather months along this section of the coast - more likely to be sunny, less likely to be foggy (though I like those days, too).
posted by rtha at 10:43 AM on June 20, 2017 [3 favorites]

Depends how far you want to go. I'm presuming you're in the US, so European holidays may seem like a bit too far for you, but September/October is a good time of year for Spain or Portugal, and both are excellent for a good range of low effort holidays with the occasional break for a bit of culture if you get bored of the beach for a while. Just remember to pick places that haven't​ been overrun​ by us Northern Europeans, if you want somewhere relaxing. Dollar is likely to continue pretty strong against the Euro, too, so might not be too expensive if you can find flights at the right price.
posted by howfar at 10:55 AM on June 20, 2017

Southern California is an option. My go-to rec is always San Diego, preferably the quieter North County end. It won't be so busy Sept/Oct since school is back in.

Note: it can be hot as balls inland in SoCal in September and probably October, but the marine layer keeps the first couple of miles significantly cooler - compare Cardiff with Escondido. Those coastal temps are pretty reliable all the way down to the border, and mostly extend in to the downtown/Gaslamp/Hillcrest area where you'll find a lot of restaurants and things to do. Also note: the water is frickin' cold here. I mean, I see people in the water without wetsuits that time of year, but you have to enjoy a certain amount of briskness.

But otherwise it's quite pleasant that time of year, days are still long, the attractions are not summer-busy.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:08 AM on June 20, 2017

Outer Banks of NC is still beach weather in September, and will be nice and quiet by the middle of the month when the kids are back in school. Rental rates will drop dramatically too. I don't think there have been any Zika cases in NC. We've vacationed there in September 4 or 5 times.
posted by COD at 11:14 AM on June 20, 2017 [2 favorites]

Opposite ends of the spectrum both geographically and culturally but my vote goes to Kauai or Croatia! Or Sea Ranch--Sea Ranch is amazing.
posted by lovableiago at 11:19 AM on June 20, 2017 [2 favorites]

We did a Bay Area/Wine Country trip and stayed at this treehouse/yurt in San Rafael. It was absolutely serene and wonderful. The area is perfect for being as active or chill as you like. There's plenty to do, or not. Your choice.
posted by dustkee at 11:33 AM on June 20, 2017

What about visiting an actual spa? Nothing says rejuvenation like a week's worth of massages, meditation and mud masks.
posted by Autumnheart at 11:46 AM on June 20, 2017

We went through the same thought process last year and landed on Hawaii. Because Hawaii is the answer to your question.

Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii
posted by craven_morhead at 12:45 PM on June 20, 2017 [2 favorites]

We wanted a similar type of vacation for our October honeymoon last year, and wound up on Kauai, which was perfect. We had a few active days of hiking, kayaking, etc, interspersed with days of sitting on the beach outside our rental house, staring at the ocean or stargazing. There's not much nightlife, but we're not nightlife people. The weather in early October was great - a few minutes of rain every day (just enough to keep everything bright green and lush). plus some overnight showers, but otherwise sunny and in the 80s.

Zika was a concern for us, so Hawaii was a good choice.
posted by writermcwriterson at 12:52 PM on June 20, 2017

Nthing Hawaii because Hawaii IS what tropical vacations should be.
posted by that's candlepin at 1:11 PM on June 20, 2017

If you go to Costa Rica, you can also visit the spas at the arenal hot springs, in addition to beautiful beaches in Manuel Antonio.
posted by empath at 2:25 PM on June 20, 2017

Yes Hawaii is beautiful, I'd specifically suggest Maui. (I did a lot of research before my honeymoon and we went there and it was perfect.)
If your budget is a little more forgiving, and you'd like an all-inclusive resort with a prize winning spa and restaurants good enough for foodies, plus beautiful pools and beach so that you never have to leave, Grand Velas in Riviera Maya was were my husband and I went to relax and gather energy before some big-deal-bad-life-changing times were coming.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 2:58 PM on June 20, 2017

Pick an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico. Just arrive, get in your swimsuits, get some cocktails, and forget about the world.
posted by eas98 at 7:11 AM on June 21, 2017

The world's greatest beaches are not in the tropics. They're on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia.

This is Broulee. It's empty. This is Barlings Beach. It's empty. This is Tathra. I've never seen it that busy but I guess it might be in the middle of summer. None of these pics are 'shooped. The water really does look like that.

There are no issues with hurricanes or cyclones or jellyfish or mudflats or mangroves or mosquitos. They're quiet, but well serviced. It's easy to drive fifteen minutes to a town like Moruya and stock up. There are plenty of little day spas, or you can just walk and enjoy the amazing bush, or just...do...nothing - which is what we do. If you're from the US, your dollar will go far.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:27 PM on June 21, 2017