With some three million baby boomers generating over 400 million dollars in revenue for the winter vacationing areas, several “hot spot” areas are welcoming these winter travelers with open arms.  As the birds migrate south, so will many seniors.  These seniors range in ages late 50s to early 70’s and they are always on the lookout for a good deal on travel in a warm environment.  Favorite places include Texas, Florida, California, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.  These destinations certainly live up to their reputations as being fantastic winter or snowbird migration routes.

Some great deals can still be found, and package airfare and room travel to the Bahamas deals are available.  At this time of writing, fares and rooms were hovering around $200/day for 3 and 4 night getaways, however,  these should be booked by mid January to get the best deals left.  There aren’t many people who would turn down a chance to see the beautiful turquoise Caribbean at that price.  If you can’t make the trip this winter, at least consider it for winter of 2007.  Now is a great time to start saving!

Texas has some warm places to winter in such as Corpus Christi, Galveston, South Padre Islands, and the Big Bend area.  Southeastern Texas is still recuperating from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Although Texas is one of the popular “snowbird” areas, temperatures can get down into the teens when extreme cold spells blow through.  These usually don’t last long and moderate winter temperatures pop back up into the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  Some adventures you’ll find in Texas are the U.S.S. Lexington at Corpus Christi, Moody Gardens and Aquarium at Galveston, Guadalupe Mountain range and the winding Rio Grande River throughout the Big Bend area as well as a unique chance to photograph one of the beautiful deserts of America.

Florida  has many sightseeing areas as well as some counties still not recovered from the hurricane seasons of the last few years.  It’s not their fault.  Each of these hard hit areas relies on tourism to help drive their economy.  While waiting on federal funds, if tourism breaks down, so does a large amount of city and county businesses as well as those small time individual enterprises.  Do not  worry though if you plan to winter in Florida,  the sunshine state is generous in golf courses, lakes and water activities, and the ever popular amusement parks.  Baby boomers along with their grown children and grandchildren find Daytona an exciting place to visit.

Another great state to winterize yourself in – is California.  The San Diego and Lake San Marcos areas are remiss with boating, resorts, golfing, and amusement parks, shopping, and dining. One can easily find the type of golf course suited to your level of playing skills.  One such area is Lake San Marcos Resort and Country Club.    This resort has been attracting those seniors in their seventies for many years, however, a recent renovation within the resort complex is now drawing those in their 40’s – 50’s.  Seems the baby boomer’s children are catching on to what a fabulous resort area this has been for years.  Boomers and their families can begin to make this resort area a family tradition.

Sporting two golf courses, the Lake San Marcos Resort has all levels of golfers covered.  Their executive course is a short fast course playing the par 4’s with a wood off the tee.   Since this particular course is uniquely short – low handicappers may find it boring.  But for those of us who have 12+ handicaps and unpredictable short games, the course can be enjoyable.  The second course Lake San Marcos golf course caters to the long hitters!  Par 5’s take effort to reach and each stroke has to be critically placed within the fairway.

Golf isn’t the only reason the San Marcos area is popular.  There are water sports, boating, fishing, resort activities, dining out, and shopping, and nearby amusement theme parks (www.sandiegozoo.com) (www.sandiego.org).  For those who need to get away from family and the stress of everyday life – spa treatments and relaxing by the beach can’t be beat.  So for all you baby boomers out there looking for a winter hide-a-way, the South, East, and West offers a variety of activities for all lifestyles.  Happy Traveling! 

(photos courtesy of Lake San Marcus Resort, Office of Tourism San Diego, Florida Office of Tourism, Texas Office of Tourism)