This post is about the best warm places to visit in the US this winter.
Winters in Orlando are mild, but they’re not exactly tropical. We get cool evenings, jackets at night, and the occasional “Florida winter joke” when locals break out scarves at 60°F. But the truth is, every December, I find myself craving something warmer. Not just warm weather, but that kind of sunshine that seeps into your skin, that makes you forget the rest of the country is shoveling snow.
That’s how I started chasing warm winter getaways in the U.S. Over the years, I’ve swapped snow boots for sandals in Miami, traded frosty mornings for poolside cocktails in Scottsdale, and found myself snorkeling in January in Key West while my friends up north sent me photos of snowstorms.
So here’s my personal guide to the best warm places to visit in the U.S. this winter, places where you can pack sundresses instead of sweaters, sip margaritas instead of hot chocolate, and remind yourself that winter can also mean sunshine, beaches, and laughter under palm trees.
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Miami, Florida: Sunshine, Salsa & Sea Breeze
Every time I head down to Miami in winter, I feel like I’m cheating the season. While the rest of the country bundles up, I’m walking along South Beach in flip-flops. December in Miami is pure joy, warm enough for swims, cool enough to stroll without melting.
The first thing I always do is hit the Biscayne Bay boat tour. Gliding past Star Island mansions with the sun warming my face feels decadent. Later, I wander Wynwood Walls, the murals even more vibrant against that winter-blue sky.
Food in Miami is half the magic. Lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab is a ritual, the sweetness of the crab claws dipped in mustard sauce is worth every minute of waiting. For Cuban comfort, Versailles always hits the spot with café con leche and pastelitos.
At night, the salsa music pulls me into Little Havana. Dancing under string lights with a mojito in hand, I always think, this doesn’t feel like winter, and that’s exactly the point.
Key West, Florida: Southernmost Sunshine
Driving the Overseas Highway to Key West in January is one of those memories that stays with me. The road stretches between blue ocean on both sides, and by the time you arrive, it feels like you’ve reached another world.
Key West in winter is laid-back, colorful, and endlessly sunny. I joined a catamaran snorkeling trip, diving into turquoise water while my friends back home complained about ice scraping. The
laughter of strangers on the boat, the salt on my skin, the dolphins chasing our wake, it felt like a dream.
For meals, Blue Heaven is always my first stop. Chickens roam the patio, live music plays, and their lobster eggs Benedict feels like a celebration. Later, dessert at Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe seals every evening, tangy, creamy, perfectly Floridian.
Sunset at Mallory Square, surrounded by street performers and clapping crowds, is the most magical reminder: winter doesn’t always mean snow. Sometimes, it’s golden skies and ocean breezes.
San Diego, California: West Coast Warmth
Landing in San Diego in December, I always feel spoiled. The weather is perfect, warm days, cool nights, and an ocean breeze that makes you want to stay forever.
The San Diego Harbor cruise is a favorite, sea lions lounging on buoys, the skyline glittering behind me, and the salty wind in my hair. Walking through Balboa Park’s Spanish-style buildings decked in poinsettias, I can almost forget the holidays are supposed to be cold.
I grabbed tacos at Las Cuatro Milpas, warm tortillas, smoky beans, and salsa that made me sweat in the best way. Later, I found myself with a scoop of ice cream at Salt & Straw, yes, ice cream in December, because why not?
Evenings are for sunsets in La Jolla. Watching the sky turn pink over the cliffs while seals bark below, I realized San Diego is the definition of effortless warm winter magic.
Scottsdale, Arizona: Desert Sunshine & Spa Days
Winters in Scottsdale feel luxurious. The desert sun warms your skin by day, the evenings cool enough to cozy up by a firepit. January here means hiking, spas, and endless patio dining.
One morning, I hiked Camelback Mountain, the red rocks glowing under a bright blue sky, my water bottle sweating in my hand. Another day, I treated myself to a spa afternoon at one of the resorts, nothing feels more indulgent than a massage in December while palm trees sway outside.
Lunch at The Mission was unforgettable, modern Latin cuisine with flavors that made me pause between bites. At night, I sipped cocktails at Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in nearby Phoenix, feeling the desert cool against my shoulders as I stepped out.
Scottsdale in winter isn’t just warm; it’s radiant. The kind of place where the light hits differently, and you remember that warmth can be healing.
Austin, Texas: Music, Barbecue & Sunshine
Austin in winter feels like the city is showing off. The days hover in the 60s and 70s, perfect for walking along Lady Bird Lake, and the evenings buzz with live music pouring from every bar.
I spent afternoons strolling South Congress, popping into boutiques, and sipping lattes at Jo’s Coffee, yes, I took the obligatory “I love you so much” mural photo.
Meals in Austin are always a highlight. At Franklin Barbecue, I lined up early, and the wait was worth it, brisket so tender it melted in my mouth. Dinner at Uchi brought sushi so fresh I forgot I was in Texas.
Evenings were for live music, one night at the Continental Club, another at a random dive bar that ended up being even better. Warm air, cold drinks, guitars filling the night, Austin proves winter can be all about rhythm.
Honolulu, Hawaii: Endless Summer in December
Nothing says “best warm winter escape” like landing in Honolulu and stepping into tropical air while the rest of the U.S. is bundled in coats.
I spent mornings surfing at Waikiki Beach, falling more than I stood, but laughing through every wave. Afternoons were for exploring the lush mountains on a Diamond Head hike, the ocean stretching endlessly below me.
Food in Honolulu made every day better. At Helena’s Hawaiian Food, I tasted traditional dishes that felt like comfort, kalua pig, lomi salmon, and rice. At night, I treated myself to a sunset cocktail at Duke’s Waikiki, toes almost in the sand, music floating through the warm air.
The most picture-perfect moment? Standing barefoot at the water’s edge, December sky glowing orange, thinking: this is the winter I never want to end.
Palm Springs, California: Mid-Century Sunshine
There’s something surreal about walking past palm trees in Palm Springs in December, the mountains glowing pink in the distance, and knowing the rest of the country is frozen.
I biked past colorful mid-century modern houses, the sunshine making everything pop. Then I took the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to the San Jacinto Mountains, warm desert below, snowy peaks above. The contrast was breathtaking.
Dinner at Workshop Kitchen + Bar sealed the vibe, sleek, stylish, and unforgettable. Palm Springs is the winter snow globe flipped upside down: not snow, but endless sun and design.
CONCLUSION- WARM PLACES TO VISIT IN THE US
Winter doesn’t have to mean snowstorms, heavy coats, and icy mornings. For me, living in Orlando, it’s become about finding those warm places in the U.S. that feel like summer in the middle of December. Miami’s salsa nights, Key West sunsets, San Diego cliffs, Scottsdale spas, Austin’s music, Honolulu’s beaches, and Palm Springs’ retro sunshine, each one gave me a piece of winter I’ll never forget.
What ties them together isn’t just the sunshine. It’s the feeling of freedom. The laughter that comes when you realize you’re eating key lime pie in January, or floating in the Pacific while friends back home are scraping ice.
So if you’re searching for the best warm places to visit in the U.S. this winter, take my advice: pack light, bring sunscreen, and let the season surprise you. Winter can be cozy, sure, but it can also be barefoot on the beach, tacos in the sun, and sunsets that remind you life doesn’t always need a sweater.
