The weather... well that really depends on which state you end up going to! Have you considered California? It doesn't have quite such a good selection of golf courses as Florida but it does still have an excellent choice, plus it would be less humid which could be important when you are out in the sun for hours playing a round. There are a load of golf courses down here in LA, though I've never played on any of them so I can't vouch for their quality. Of course, there is Pebble Beach to the north, next to Monterey.

The only thing about LA is that it's not everybody's cup of tea; mind you, the shopping would be better than FL I suppose.

Hello Gray, we are not too concerned about playing golf while we are there because two of the party do not play. Less humidity is a big factor In what way is the shopping better in LA than Fl please?
Thank you
Saggy

It's just that LA is the second biggest city in the US and the LA area has a ton of shopping malls. However, it's really a working city and not as glamorous as many people think it is. I think the surrounding cities are much more interesting than LA itself.

Sorry, I misunderstood what you said about golfing. I thought you had wanted to play golf, but if that isn't the case then I wouldn't pay much attention to my recommendation of California (having also been to FL, I think that CA is much nicer but I am a bit biased!). Mind you, what I said about less humidy is very true. The temperatures in California are comparable to Florida (and actually quite a bit warmer in the desert areas) but you don't usually get the same humidity, which is nice.

Saggy, California may be a bit less humid in that time frame but there really is no alternative to the shopping and quality of golf in central Florida. In the Orlando area, you have the Millenium Mall, which is huge, and Florida Mall. There are numerous smaller malls and discount outlets all convenient to he tourist area. You could spend days shopping and not visit a store twice. For the golfers, there are many course to choose from. I'd recommend a visit to Orange County National which is a very well balanced course for the average golfer.

If you plan your trip for October, the humidity should be beginning to improve.

The golf is better in Florida, the shopping is not. California has 3 malls in the top 20 largest malls in the US, Florida has only 2. All 3 of California's are in the LA area and there is also Ontario Mills to the east of LA which I was surprised wasn't on the list.

The Millennium Mall in FL is apparently now defunct, unless it has been renamed.

Thanks Gary and David, sounds as if I would need two weeks to get around those malls Please correct me if I am mistaken, Orlando sounds very disney Another poster mentioned the Fort Lauderdale area, if one does not want to do the disney thing! I do not want to sound picky but, as there are others to consider so I need to get this right.
Saggy

Hi Saggy,

Have just seen your post and the suggestions after, and personally I think Fort Lauderdale would seem to suit what you are after. The area has shopping malls and a good beach.

Gray is right in that Florida is more humid then California, and he is also spot on in that LA is a working city, and not as glamorous as people think. Gray lives there, so the advise is first hand.
As you are going on holiday and shopping happens to be part of it I would recommend Florida.

Good luck in your choice.

"The Millenium Mall in FL is apparently now defunct, unless it has been renamed".

My apologies - the name of the mall is Mall at Millenia. And I can assure you that I drove by it today and it was teeming with shoppers. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and a host of other stores in a nice, safe, suburban environment.

Actually the Orlando area is a lot more than just Disney. In fact, I know many UK visitors and property owners who never go to the parks. They play golf, visit the beaches or the Space Center or simply sit by the pool enjoying the sparkling blue tropical skies which might be a bit difficult to do in LA with its air pollution, unless of course the santa ana winds are blowing.

Nobody suggested staying in LA itself, so I'm not sure what that has to do with the conversation. Do you have something against LA or California?

Thank you all for your suggestions. I shall now look to see who is doing the best deal at the moment. Sorry for the delay in replying.
Saggy x

I've had several holidays in both Florida and California as well as in other places in the US.
A few thoughts:
Firstly the weather. Florida will still be hot in September and October but California may not be. I personally love the summer weather in California but have never been in October. Maybe others can advise. You are in the hurricane season in Florida at that time of year. Chances are you will be fine but I wouldn't risk it having already had a holiday ruined by a hurricane.

The shopping in both is brilliant.

The beaches in both are lovely but I particularly liked the beaches on the southern golf coast of Florida.

The theme parks in both areas are fab (if you like that sort of thing). I preferred the California theme parks, particularly 6 Flags Magic Mountain.

I am not a golfer but there seems to be great golf in both places. We had a few days in Palm Springs, an easy drive south of LA, and the golf courses there looked good. A 2-centre trip with a few days in LA nad a few in Palm Springs might suit.

Florida is much more touristy. You keep bumping into other Brits. We enjoyed meeting people far more in California.

The weather in California in October is still very pleasant. It does depend which part of the state you are in. Obviously the coastal areas are considerably cooler than the inland ones. Southern California is warmer than northern California at all times of the year but it might be especially noticeable in the fall. Usually I would say that San Francisco is a much better city to visit than LA but it isn't when it comes to the weather.