OT: January weather: LA or Miami
Jul 22, 2009, 2:20 am
#1
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OT: January weather: LA or Miami
Hi All,
As there are some frequent travellers on this board I thought I would start here. We are planning to leave baby MANCHESTER with the grandparents for a week in January & go for a week of relaxation in Florida or LA area. Have been to both before so know what to expect, apart from the weather. Both seem ok weather wise, but not too warm. If we fancy a bit of pool & beach are either viable or is one or both generally too cold?
Many thanks
As there are some frequent travellers on this board I thought I would start here. We are planning to leave baby MANCHESTER with the grandparents for a week in January & go for a week of relaxation in Florida or LA area. Have been to both before so know what to expect, apart from the weather. Both seem ok weather wise, but not too warm. If we fancy a bit of pool & beach are either viable or is one or both generally too cold?
Many thanks
Jul 22, 2009, 2:40 am
#2
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Miami would be my choice.
I lived in San Diego for 3 years and the weather is about 68-70F in Jan.
I was based in Miami for 2 years while working for one of the cruise lines, and it's always 80F in Jan. Also doesn't suffer much rain at this time of year.
Hope that helps.
Mark
I lived in San Diego for 3 years and the weather is about 68-70F in Jan.
I was based in Miami for 2 years while working for one of the cruise lines, and it's always 80F in Jan. Also doesn't suffer much rain at this time of year.
Hope that helps.
Mark
Jul 22, 2009, 2:59 am
#3
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Jan pool/sun-bathing in MIA is fine. Consider FLL which is quieter and cheap than MIA and is 1 hours drive from MIA.
You really need a heated pool for LAX and even then, I would say you would only have 3/4 hours when it is warm enough to lie in the sun - say from 11am to about 2:30pm-ish. It is warmer if you drive out to Palm Springs (its a valley desert) or LAS (sunny from 10am - 3pm). It will be very cold at nights.
If you pick the right hip/trendy hotel and the right Sunday night in LAX, its the golden globe awards so all the stars are in town. A few years ago, we were sunning ourselves for an of hour of so next to Reese Witherspoon.
You really need a heated pool for LAX and even then, I would say you would only have 3/4 hours when it is warm enough to lie in the sun - say from 11am to about 2:30pm-ish. It is warmer if you drive out to Palm Springs (its a valley desert) or LAS (sunny from 10am - 3pm). It will be very cold at nights.
If you pick the right hip/trendy hotel and the right Sunday night in LAX, its the golden globe awards so all the stars are in town. A few years ago, we were sunning ourselves for an of hour of so next to Reese Witherspoon.
Jul 22, 2009, 3:38 am
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Watch the prices when you go - the Superbowl is in Miami at the end of January/beginning of February with the build up the weeks before so you might want to drive a little South of Miami towards the Keys get the better prices but keep the sun
Jul 22, 2009, 3:52 am
#6
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Agreed. I lived in LA for two years and have been to Miami quite a few times - although really preferred it in the mid-90s when South Beach was happening.
In LA no one goes to the beach in January (although if you are lucky it could be sunny and around 70 in the middle of the afternoon). On the other hand, plenty of people fly from New York to Miami at that time of year principally so they can go to the beach: December to March is pretty much peak season there.
In LA no one goes to the beach in January (although if you are lucky it could be sunny and around 70 in the middle of the afternoon). On the other hand, plenty of people fly from New York to Miami at that time of year principally so they can go to the beach: December to March is pretty much peak season there.
Jul 22, 2009, 4:17 am
#8
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Another vote for Miami if you want beach and sunning time. 
That said they can have some much cooler weather - down into the 50/60's, even 30s at night - so pack a sweater along with those speedos!! And the humidity's not so high so that makes it feel cooler
I'd also recommend FLL, just an hour's drive north of Miami. Great beach, good shopping and dining, and quieter than MIA. Though I'm not sure it's any cheaper these days. Lots of high end properties now line the FLL Beach Blvd. December/January are peak of peak season so expect hotel rates to be at their very highest.
PM if I can help (lived in FLL for 5+ years).
That said they can have some much cooler weather - down into the 50/60's, even 30s at night - so pack a sweater along with those speedos!! And the humidity's not so high so that makes it feel cooler
I'd also recommend FLL, just an hour's drive north of Miami. Great beach, good shopping and dining, and quieter than MIA. Though I'm not sure it's any cheaper these days. Lots of high end properties now line the FLL Beach Blvd. December/January are peak of peak season so expect hotel rates to be at their very highest.
PM if I can help (lived in FLL for 5+ years).
Jul 22, 2009, 7:18 am
#9
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Jul 22, 2009, 8:31 am
#10
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Looking around, BA seem to have a very good deal at the Mandarin Oriental Miami & was looking at the Ritz Carlton for Fort Lauderdale, which does not seem too bad either (ie <$500). Loads of F availability, so will get booking!
Jul 22, 2009, 10:10 am
#11
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Another vote for Florida, but I'd also recommend Fort Lauderdale. Miami is glitzy and has it's advantages, but I love Fort Lauderdale too. The weather reports in here I can attest to - the rain holds off and while you can get a drop in temps Feb/March, January really can be perfect.
From MIA, it's about a 30 min drive direct to Ft Lauderdale Beach if all is good.
The Ritz Carlton is indeed nice - but also look at the W Fort Lauderdale...very cool architecture and lovely 'Living Room' bar. W Miami is now open too. The Mondrian is nice - younger, loungy crowd in the evenings, great pool on the bay side. Since you're ditching the kid, I thought a more 'vibrant' hotel like the W's (rather than the Ritz) would be a possibility.
Restaurant Recommendation: Chima is a great restaurant on Las Olas nearby both the Ritz & W (all you can eat Brazilian steakhouse, good wine list, caipirinha's, incredible salad bar, etc). If you like good, inexpensive Mexican, "Carlos and Pepes" on 17th St is also a great experience.
From MIA, it's about a 30 min drive direct to Ft Lauderdale Beach if all is good.
The Ritz Carlton is indeed nice - but also look at the W Fort Lauderdale...very cool architecture and lovely 'Living Room' bar. W Miami is now open too. The Mondrian is nice - younger, loungy crowd in the evenings, great pool on the bay side. Since you're ditching the kid, I thought a more 'vibrant' hotel like the W's (rather than the Ritz) would be a possibility.
Restaurant Recommendation: Chima is a great restaurant on Las Olas nearby both the Ritz & W (all you can eat Brazilian steakhouse, good wine list, caipirinha's, incredible salad bar, etc). If you like good, inexpensive Mexican, "Carlos and Pepes" on 17th St is also a great experience.
Jul 22, 2009, 10:35 am
#12
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Jul 23, 2009, 8:38 am
#13
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The concept of a relaxing beach interlude in the Miami area is much diminished by the sort of folk who stay in high rise hotels and go to the beach there. There are plenty of resorts in the Upper Keys, and the pleasant and highly interesting (Well, much of it!) drive down to Key West opens a venue unique in the US.
Jul 23, 2009, 9:04 am
#14
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As the OP has settled on Florida, and all the recent discussion has settled there as well, let me move this to our Travel->Florida forum for more discussion. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Jul 23, 2009, 2:12 pm
#15
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OP, MIA/FLL can get chilly (non beach) weather in January. In fact, there will be sure to have at least some 15C or below days. My suggestion is that if your heart is set on a beach experience try San Juan, Puerto Rico. Also, Rio and fares as of late have been cheaper to South America (at least from the US).