I am celebrating my 60 this September and want to go somewhere I have never been yet. It will just be hubby and I. We have been considering Maui as one of two options. We went to Hawaii (Oahu and Big Island) about 15 years ago when the kids were young and we did all the fun stuff: snorkeling, swimming with turtles, dolphins, hiking the volcano, etc. However, we did not go to Maui on that trip. I don’t really swim well and DH does not have the same energy he did back then so we will probably stay at the Hyatt, hang at the beach, relax and drive the road to Hana to see the waterfalls. I would love to go to Molokini but that seems more geared to diving and snorkeling. I am not sure one could see anything from just sitting on the boat. We would spend five nights. We are flying from New York.
The other option is Napa Valley. We would spend several days at the Meritage, and then spend the last couple of days in Bodega Bay lodge, which seems peaceful. We would explore wineries, Muir woods, and some of the redwoods. We could consider maybe a day in San Francisco on the return but we have been to SF before. DH does not enjoy wine but would enjoy the trip otherwise.
We keep going back and forth about which one we would enjoy more. Would love to hear your thoughts and if you have been to either one, what you enjoyed.
TIA
I have been to Maui for my honeymoon over 25 years ago and have been to Napa many times. You can’t go wrong with either destination, although flying to Maui will add another 4-5 hours EACH way to your travel. I am not a fan of flying these days so this is something to consider.
Maui is more laid back than Oahu and offers incredible natural beauty. The drive to Hana could be treacherous but is well worth it. Obviously, the beaches and scenery are outstanding and if you intend to just relax and decamp on the beach, this might be the better trip for you.
However, if you want to do more things, I would go with the Napa trip and add an overnight stay to Monterey/Carmel. I stayed at a very nice B&B, The Old Monterey Inn, many years ago and had an incredible time. This part of California is truly special given the amazing coastline and things to see and do, including 17-Mile Drive and Point Lobos Natural Park. I was there last year and watching the sunset on Carmel beach was truly amazing and a highlight. You also have wonderful restaurants in this area, including my favorite Nepenthe in Big Sur. I can’t think of a better dining experience while eating outside high in the cliffs while watching dolphins breaching the Pacific!
One factor to consider, regarding the timing of your trip, is that September is in the middle of “fire season”, and the Napa / Sonoma area has been one of the more affected areas in the last couple of years. Fire season in 2022 wasn’t too bad, and 2023 so far has been on the wetter side, but it’s impossible to know what things will be like over the summer.
I’m not saying to rule out the Napa idea — it’s a lovely area, and the redwoods on the coast are my absolute favorite place to be in the world — but just make sure you factor in the fire season aspect of things. I’d hate for you to plan a special holiday and then to have it disrupted by smoke.
When I saw the, title, I immediately thought Maui, hands down.
But for you, Napa. Hawaii is a super long flight from NY with a 5 hour time difference. And you have 5 days? It’d be gorgeous, for sure, but more enjoyable if you could be more active. That’s a lot of time and money for 5 days.
Napa is half the travel time, and you could do any number of less active things. Spa, dine, visit vineyards. And the $ you save in airfare you can put toward those fun things.
I would say Maui if you had more time or were going from the west coast. We have been to Hawaii several times (we like Maui and Kauai most), but we feel like from the east coast you need to stay at least 10 days.
So, for 5 days my vote would be California/Napa (and wherever else you decide you’d like to go).
I have a (not very secret) love affair with Maui (heading there again in 2 weeks) - however, as much as it hurts to say it, I would have to suggest Napa for your trip, the main reason, which has been pointed out, the length of travel. You would sincerely lose 2 full days (unless you aren’t counting travel days as part of your 5) - I’m in So Cal, so when I go I take the earliest flight out, and I’m in Maui for lunch - not even a late lunch! Coming home I take an early afternoon flight out and I’m home by 10.
If you aren’t counting travel days, I’d fly into LA or SD spend the night and take the first flight the very next morning. I’d do the same going home, and I’d pick Maui, and I’d take a tour to Hana, leaving the driving to an expert so you could just enjoy the journey - I hardly ever do (driving) tours in the US, but we went to Hana with Valley Isle Excursions and it was by far the best thing we could have done. Got to actually enjoy the road trip! They picked us up and dropped us off. We were out with them for 14 hours, and loved every second! A sunset catamaran cruise could top off your last night and everything in between would be at your pace. It’s a very romantic place and doesn’t require doing “everything” - there’s plenty of magic just eating take away at the beach and watching the sun set.
Maui is beautiful. We used to visit once or twice a year, but have not been since 2018. During the pandemic, Maui has been overrun by hoards of vacationers to the point the locals openly express their dislike for the tourist specie. If you do go, please do not drive your rental to Hana. People who live there use that road to commute. If you want to experience the beauty of Hana, book an organized tour. Safer, more enjoyable, and keeps a few islanders employed.
ETA: cross-posted with @JustaMom ! If you are traveling from NY, in addition to a full day of travel you will have to deal with 6 hr time difference. That 6 pm sunset dinner? A midnight affair! I wonder if you can acclimate a little on the West Coast and then continue on to Maui if you pick Maui.
Our favorite place to stay in Maui used to be Honua Kai. Beautiful condo complex with direct access to the North Kaanapali beach with amazing snorkeling. It has changed several management companies in the past, so research carefully.
It does sound like you have a lot to weigh with fire season, flight/travel time, time zones. I love Napa and Maui. I don’t love fires nor long travel times. I guess I might opt for a 3rd destination if I had only 5 days, one that required less travel. Just throwing that out there.
@BunsenBurner - the nasty-grams from Maui regarding visitors that I’ve experienced have only been online. This will be my 4th trip since Covid days began - not one local has given stink eye, or even alluded to my not being welcome. Granted I arrive with an aloha spirit, I speak softly and not shout across beaches or whatever, I’m not pushy and I don’t act entitled, I respect the land, I don’t go where it is dangerous or off limits, tip well when appropriate, and more. Fortunately I have always felt welcomed - the aloha spirit lives on.
We went to Kauai for my 60th, but we went for 9 days. Travel took full 2 days. I think 5 days is too short to go all the way to HI.
Instead of Napa or HI, why not got to Paris, Florence or Lisbon. The exchange rate is great right now. They are easy to get to from NYC.
My personal preference would be Maui but I haven’t been in 25 years. It is a long way for a short trip. In the vein of somewhere closer, I will throw out Bermuda and Quebec as unique travel experiences.
Back in 2018, at the airport, I personally got yelled at and called all sorts of nasty names reserved for tourists because the guy in a giant truck behind us was pissed that we parked our car to unload the luggage in the spot where he apparently wanted to park (could not read his mind, I guess, and he could not wait for a couple of minutes for us to unload our bags). Not so long ago, our friends were almost ran off the road by a bunch of locals and thrown rocks at… Of course, the comments directed at haoles online are not the nicest.