West Coast Destination Suggestions

[bplewis24]

I have some Southwest travel credits that expire tomorrow, and I need to book a flight somewhere.  It's a nice problem to have .

So, in the absence of any other ideas, I'm going to book a golf trip at the 11th hour.  Southwest is also currently running a sale to these cities from Sacramento which ends midnight tonight:

Boise, ID

Burbank, CA

Denver, CO

Los Angeles, CA

Ontario/LA, CA

Phoenix, AZ

Portland, OR

San Diego, CA

Seattle/Tacoma, WA

Any ideas on which of those places might be the best for a summer golfing destination (the sale requires purchase from Aug-Oct)?  I was thinking about Bandon Dunes in Oregon, although from what I can tell that is quite a drive from Portland.  But if you have any other West Coast suggestions that aren't close to any of the cities above, feel free to throw them out there.

[No Mulligans]

I'd cross out Burbank, Los Angeles and Ontario.  Not really vacation destinations and too crowded/busy for me.  In addition, it's pretty hot at those locations that time of the year.  (Unless, there is something else that attracts you... Burbank and Los Angeles do have a lot of near by concert, shows, and sports events for instance.)

[bplewis24]

3 hours ago, No Mulligans said:

I'd cross out Burbank, Los Angeles and Ontario.  Not really vacation destinations and too crowded/busy for me.  In addition, it's pretty hot at those locations that time of the year.  (Unless, there is something else that attracts you... Burbank and Los Angeles do have a lot of near by concert, shows, and sports events for instance.)

I think I'll only go there if I end up meeting up with some golfing friends.  Otherwise I'm probably gonna end up going solo somewhere.  And, you're right on the weather.  I was thinking about doing a Yosemite/golf trip out towards Phoenix, but then remembered how hot it will be there in August.  I wonder if it cools off by October?

[No Mulligans]

In the fall I like to get into the mountains.  I went to Mammoth once in the fall, with the fall colors it was really beautiful.  Mammoth is not a Southwest destination but perhaps there are other mountain destinations.  Salt Lake City?

Mammoth Lakes:

[oldmotor]

Well, where did you pick?

[mchepp]

Sorry I missed this thread. I will still add my thoughts on a summer trip to Bandon.

Bandon is about 3.5 hours away from the airport from PDX. You drive down to Eugene and then head to the coast. It is an easy drive meaning, mostly flat and towards the end some neat views. I would however, not recommend Bandon in the summer unless you are wealthy. I think the going summer rate is over $200. Wallet smasher.

Will the weather be perfect. Yes. It will be. Maybe windy, but otherwise really nice. I recommend attacking in late February to the latest in April. You might get rain. But you will save your wallet and you can use the $100 you saved on a nice rain jacket. If you play 3 rounds you save $300 and that is complete rain suit and waterproof gloves.

When we go it is usually January or the latest February. But since we live in Portland we are used to the rain. I have been in shorts in January, and in weather that had icecicles hanging off my friends beard because it was cold and hell and spitting rain. So you just never know. But to play Bandon in January for $85 on a nice day, well, lets say there isn't much like it.

As proof here is my friend hitting his approach in shorts. The date on my phone says January 24th.

 

Now if you have the money, I say go for it. Summer by the beach in Oregon is really nice. There is a reason even at $270 they are fully booked in the summer.

The other thing to consider is that Bandon does not gouge you on the food. It is very reasonable considering it is a golf resort. Everything is very affordable and no sales tax.  

[bplewis24]

12 hours ago, oldmotor said:

Well, where did you pick?

Well, I lucked out and my cousin finalized his wedding date, so I used the credits on that.  But my tentative plan is to also coordinate a trip to Phoenix in September/October and do some golfing there and then visit the Grand Canyon for a couple days.

8 hours ago, mchepp said:

Sorry I missed this thread. I will still add my thoughts on a summer trip to Bandon.

Bandon is about 3.5 hours away from the airport from PDX. You drive down to Eugene and then head to the coast. It is an easy drive meaning, mostly flat and towards the end some neat views. I would however, not recommend Bandon in the summer unless you are wealthy. I think the going summer rate is over $200. Wallet smasher.

Will the weather be perfect. Yes. It will be. Maybe windy, but otherwise really nice. I recommend attacking in late February to the latest in April. You might get rain. But you will save your wallet and you can use the $100 you saved on a nice rain jacket. If you play 3 rounds you save $300 and that is complete rain suit and waterproof gloves.

When we go it is usually January or the latest February. But since we live in Portland we are used to the rain. I have been in shorts in January, and in weather that had icecicles hanging off my friends beard because it was cold and hell and spitting rain. So you just never know. But to play Bandon in January for $85 on a nice day, well, lets say there isn't much like it.

As proof here is my friend hitting his approach in shorts. The date on my phone says January 24th.

 

Now if you have the money, I say go for it. Summer by the beach in Oregon is really nice. There is a reason even at $270 they are fully booked in the summer.

The other thing to consider is that Bandon does not gouge you on the food. It is very reasonable considering it is a golf resort. Everything is very affordable and no sales tax.  

Thanks for the great info on Bandon Dunes!  I think I'll keep that in consideration for next February.

Edited June 15, 2016 by bplewis24

[Pinhiright]

 

Chambers bay is well worth the walk. The views are spectacular and the course presents a challenge. Walking only or with caddy service.