Warm weather cycling vacation in winter?

[sfa]

What about the Gulf Coast? It's not as warm as south Florida, but there's beautiful scenery, nice history, and some good inns (this is all hearsay--I've never actually been there but my parents like the area for the history and food). I've read a couple of Crazy Guy journals from people who have toured down there in the winter--services are quite scarce, so day trips are probably best (people had difficulties finding food on self supported tours) but the roads seem nice and pretty safe. Average temperatures along the Gulf Coast in the winter are pretty much what we're getting here now--40's at night and mid-60's during the day. I consider that perfect cycling weather!

Sarah

[fallstoclimb]

The gulf coast could definitely work too....which area specifically did your parents like, do you know? What are these crazy guy journals?

[Crankin]

Phoenix and Tucson will be warmer, but not tropical warm. It might be in the thirties at night, but it will warm up to between 50 and 75 for a few hours during the day. It rains a bit (a very little bit) in the winter, too.
People expect the desert to be warm, like Florida, but it's not. To me, it really is the perfect cycling temperature. If you are coming from the east, it will feel warm, but you might need long sleeves or arm warmers and a jacket depending on the time of day.
Unfortunately, Phoenix sucks for riding (sorry Valley people). Stop lights every mile and horrible suburban sprawl, unless you go a long way out of town. But, I guess if you are on vacation, you could just drive out to a ride start. I have not spent that much time in Tucson, but the area northeast of the city is nice for riding. The rest seems just like Phoenix, only smaller.
As others have said, Florida (really only southern Florida) is the only really warm place in the US in the winter. I've lived in both AZ and FL and would recommend a vacation in AZ any day over Miami.
Have you considered San Diego? Again, it's not super warm, but perfect riding weather, 50's-60's. And sunny almost all of the time.