US Vacation - Lounging about in the Water

Post date: 2019-11-20 18:19:49

I am looking for vacation spot/resort recommendations in the US/Canada, ideally closer to the West Coast rather than the East Coast. I would like to lounge about in the water tranquilly in the shade -- help me find my next vacation!

Snowflake criteria:
- Shade is important! - A lot of classic vacation spots are pools underneath a bright bright sun
- More adults only vs. kids friendly
- Hydrotherapy / thermal cycles / mineral baths / hot springs / ocean / lake -- all sounds awesome
- More serene, rather than party
- In beautiful environments - in a shady forest, looking over a river/ocean etc. etc.
- More "resort" rather than "hike to this naturally occurring hot spring and jump in"
- Massage/spa options are nice
- OK if part of a relaxing hotel, esp. if it also offers more private bathing options
- Not terribly far from the airport - lets say <2 hours drive
- With good dining / or near good dining - extra points to diversity of interesting foods
- Ideally, also not too far from a cute city/town where I can wander into local coffee and gelato shops etc. Ideally, this place has a "sense of place" -- i.e., some kind of authenticity and localness -- vs. a resort in a resorty place

We're based in Bay Area and are looking to plan a trip in May. Would prefer not to track all the way to the East Coast, but staying within CA feels... too close and not as special. Ideally, I would consider some interesting international trips, but with the political / international environment, are deciding to stay closer to home.

Thank you!

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