8 Travel Value Destinations for Fall’s Shoulder Season

Here are my top recommendations for a fall shoulder season vacation.  These are listed in no particular order, and you could have an amazing time in any of these locations.

1. San Francisco – Always an expensive city, but fall starts rolling in a few more cloudy and rainy days, making it a bit cool when the sun goes down.  The days are still lovely, and the evening’s cold, crisp air, is not unbearable.  The city looks different this time of year, and it’s in a good way.
   

   San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

2. Disneyland – If you can justify taking the kids out of school for a few days, this is the perfect time to visit Mickey and friends.  Everyone else is in school, the temperatures have dropped, and winter hours are not yet in effect.  I think late September and October are some of the best times to visit.
3. Seattle:  Although the tourists and cruise ships sailings are all but gone, fall is actually a nice time of year in Seattle.  Sunny, but cool days, last well into November, and the drab, dreary days of winter haven’t set in yet.  Prices drop, and availability rises, making it a great time in the Pacific Northwest.
4. Washington DC – Congress in back in session, the kids are back in school, and the weather is just right.  Crowds are just about perfect at the many free museums, and the class trips to our nation’s capital haven’t started yet.  The monuments are still open at night, making a great spot for a nighttime visit.
5. Portland (Oregon) – For many of the same reasons that make Seattle and San Francisco great this time of year, Portland joins in.  Lots of fall specials in the wine country, and affordable packages in the city, help put Portland on the map this time of year.
6. Palm Springs, California – It’s still going to be hot, but nothing like the dog days of summer.  The snowbirds haven’t arrived yet (that’s usually after Thanksgiving), and many of the businesses that close for the summer are starting to reopen, so it’s a great time for a visit to the desert.
7. Caribbean – Okay, so it’s hurricane season in the islands, but not everything is perfect during shoulder season.  There are some great bargains and great resorts come fall, so do your research and check them out.  I’ve traveled to the Caribbean during the fall, and have never had a problem.
8. Cruises – Fall is the time of year when many cruise lines re-position their ships.  Each line has a little different schedule, so you’ll need to check on specifics.  Re-positioning cruises represent some very big discounts, and I’ve snapped up many of these fares myself!  Rates are great for the Caribbean as well, for reasons listed above.

Those are my value recommendations for the fall shoulder season.  Do you have any to add?

Photo credit: SXC