Summer with teens. Aus v usa

[Ame45]

For first time ever have 3 weeks August leave and planning a nice holiday for
post Gcse and A level teens. Thinking West Coast usa v australia but worried about the long journey/ flight price and weather in Oz. Anyone done either with tips please as need to decide soon!

Both would be amazing, where iin Australia are you thinking?

We've done that long haul with the teens I really wouldn't want to repeat it in a hurry. So given the choice now my teens would hands down choose the US.

If I was going to do Oz I'd only do it once so wouldn't want to compromise and go when the weather isn't at its best.

West Coast USA all the way, road trip if you can. We did that post GCSE and A-level 2 years ago. Also 3 weeks. Best family holiday ever! California is great for teenagers, and it's such a diverse state. There is something for everyone. We're working out how we can go back (was supposed to be a one off trip of a lifetime 😏)

If you haven't already found it I recommend you join the FB group California Dreamers and West Coast Wanderers. Loads of good advice, photos, itineraries on there. It will help you plan everything and everyone is very helpful.

West Coast US likely to have wildfires all over in August.

For a really amazing and interesting trip, go to Japan.

It is good time of year for Queensland/Great Barrier Reef/whutsundays. Also humpback whales so if you are outdoorsy that would be great.

Had some lovely road trips in US - I would do Yellowstone & Grand Teton if you like hiking/boats/animals but there are lots of other greatctrips if you are more into cities/theme parks etc. I have always quite fancied the 2/3 day hike into and across the Grand Canyon.

You know how big California is, right? 😆

When we visited there were 2 wildfires in Yosemite, the Oak fire was the one we were most bothered about as it was nearest to our hotel. We basically headed towards Yosemite from San Francisco keeping a very close eye on the spread/containment. I was very paranoid about safety and not exactly sure if we'd have to change our plans. But there is plenty of detailed information online available as to the spread of the fire, how contained it is, perimeter, evacuation zones, wind directions, air quality etc, so you're able to make a judgement. We didn't change our plans. It was a bit hazy at the middle part of the day but it certainly didn't affect our enjoyment of the park. I guess if you have asthma or other respiratory problems you'd have to take more notice.

That's the best time of year to go to the Northern Territory in Australia, which I think is the best part to go for a cultural and natural experience unlike anything else in the world.

It's the 'dry' season and the weather is beautiful every day.

There are often wildfires in the western US in summer, but you can't predict where or when they'll pop up, so I'd say just bear that in mind but don't let it put you off. We did 3 weeks around California in 2021 and had an amazing time and I highly recommend it with teens. Our kids were 10 and 13 and while they loved it I think they'd have enjoyed it more if they'd been a bit older. There is so much to see and do - seriously it's an amazing trip - but do get on and book things like your accommodation in the national parks right now. Hotels in Yosemite, in particular, are limited and do get booked up months in advance.

We haven't taken our kids to Australia, although I went twice pre-kids. Yes, it's a really long way, but with three weeks you have enough time to break your journey both ways in either the middle or far east, which I would definitely do. Northern Aus is supposed to be best in wintertime. Sydney and Melbourne can be chilly and rainy, but will be warmer than a UK winter.

If you haven't already found it I recommend you join the FB group California Dreamers and West Coast Wanderers. Loads of good advice, photos, itineraries on there. It will help you plan everything and everyone is very helpful.

I second this! That group was invaluable when I was planning our trip - some of them live in CA, others visit every year and know the place like the back of their hands.

Thanks so much everyone. Great advice! Definately leaning towards West Coast Usa at the moment amd save Oz for another day!

Seriously? You want to holiday in a wildfire area? :(

I live in Asia so less of a journey for me, but Northern Territory road trip is amazing at that time of year, perfect weather, brilliant with teens. Also West or East coasts on either of the reefs (barrier or Ningaloo) and surrounding national parks would be awesome.

I think you need to live a little. California is very diverse. It's huge, with a varied climate. There are regular wildfires in Spain, Greece etc. There were wildfires in Tenerife last year and that is tiny in size compared to the whole of California. Just Yosemite National Park on its own is 1.5 times bigger than the whole of Tenerife. If you're that worried about wildfires when you're in California and you're on a road trip just change your plans and head somewhere there isn't any.

My mum was worried about us when we went and kept whatsapping to ask if we were near any fires. I had a hard time convincing her of the size of the place and trying to reassure her that although the fire may have LOOKED close to us when she was looking on a map, it really wasn't. California is used to dealing with wildfires. The sequoias have lived with wildfires for thousands of years. Their seeds need fire to germinate.

Just for comparison, California is 1.7 times bigger than the whole of the United Kingdom. If there was a wildfire in Scotland and you lived in London would you be terrified you'd get burned to death in your sleep? I mean, come ON.

OP, enjoy your planning!

Thought you'd want to avoid there because of the risk of earthquakes and tsunamis. 😆