Top 3 Best US Winter Sun Destinations in March

For many travelers, escaping the harsh winters in the northern regions of the continental United States often means leaving the country. However, that doesn’t have to be the case when you’re traveling in March because it marks the end of winter in many parts of the country. Still, picking a location that doesn’t rain too much can be a bit of a hassle; that’s why I’ve rounded up the top 3 to help you choose wisely.

These are the results from our survey where we asked our visitors for the top 3 best North American winter sun destinations in March.

The top 3 best US winter sun destinations in March are Phoenix, Arizona, Hawaii, and Palm Springs, California. March is a warm and dry month in these three locations, making it the perfect time to enjoy the unique natural wonders, cultural experiences, and outdoor pursuits each offer.

The rest of this post will cover these three winter sun destinations in great detail. Keep reading to find out which one would be perfect for your preferences, budget, and other individual-specific needs.

1. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix certainly lives up to its nickname: the Valley of the Sun. Arizona’s capital and largest city is hot and sunny throughout the year. In fact, visitors usually worry more about the heat than the cold. Summers, in particular, can be sweltering here, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C).

The silver lining to Phoenix’s desert climate is that the winters are much warmer than in cities in the likes of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, and North Dakota. As these and many more states in the US experience freezing temperatures and snowfall in March, Phoenix enjoys mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures of 78°F (25.6°C) and 42°F(5.6°C), respectively.

Phoenix only rains a little in March, too. The monthly precipitation rarely exceeds 1″ (about 25mm), usually spread over 3 days.

With this kind of weather,

This kind of is hard to come by in many parts of the United States. It’s one of the main reasons Phoenix ranks number one on this round-up of the top 3 US winter sun destinations in March.

Let’s take a look at other factors that make Arizona’s capital the perfect location for a March getaway.

Phoenix Offers Championship-Level Golfing Opportunities

Arizona is generally known for providing a wide range of golf experiences, and its capital is no exception. Whether you prefer classic green-grass-style golf courses or ones set in lush desert landscapes, Phoenix has an option that aligns with your preferences and skill level.

Many of the golf courses in Phoenix were designed by world-renowned architects. Some have even hosted professional tournaments, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, and the LPGA FTs Cup.

These tournaments have been held in March in the past, but the exact dates may vary from year to year. If you’re interested in participating or spectating, be sure to check the dates with the appropriate authorities in advance and plan accordingly.

Phoenix is an Adventurer's Paradise

Phoenix’s location in the Sonoran Desert makes it one of the best places in the US for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, bird watching, and other outdoor adventures. The Sonoran is one of the world's most biologically and topographically diverse deserts. It’s also North America’s most complex desert.

This desert is home to a variety of plant species, including the iconic Saguaro cactus, the Organ Pipe cactus, and the Joshua tree. It’s also inhabited by a wide range of bird and animal species. This includes endangered species such as:

• The Sonoran pronghorn
• The lesser long-nosed bat
• The Sonoyta mud turtle
• The Jaguar
• The Gila chub
• The Sonoran tiger salamander
• The southwestern willow flycatcher.

The Greater Phoenix area is also blessed with a wide range of picturesque landscapes, such as the Hole-in-the-Rock, Superstition Mountains, Camelback Mountain, and Papago Buttes. Considering that this isn’t an exhaustive list, it’s safe to say that your options for outdoor adventures in Phoenix are not limited.

March Visitors Get to Enjoy Various Events and Festivals

March in Arizona’s capital brings several festivals and events. Here are three of my favorites:

• The Phoenix Scottish Games. This one-day annual event is one of the best ways to experience Scottish heritage, culture, and athletic traditions. Expect bagpipe and Highland dancing competitions, athletic competitions, live music performances, family-friendly activities, and a variety of Scottish and Celtic-inspired cuisine. If you have Scottish roots, you’ll also get a chance to connect with individuals you share clans or family associations.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Faire. Dubbed the “Greenest Day in the Desert,” this annual event can be described as the Irish version of the Phoenix Scottish Games minus the athletic competitions. It showcases Irish culture and traditions through a colorful parade, live music performances, traditional Irish foods and drinks, family-friendly fun, and much more.
• PHOENIX magazine Dish Fest. This is an unmissable event for foodies. This one-of-a-kind festival showcases all the restaurant dishes featured in PHOENIX magazine’s January/February issue. It’s the perfect occasion to revel in the most delectable bites of the valley.

Of course, these three festivals and events will not align with everybody’s interests. Fortunately, there are other festivals and events going down in and around Phoenix in March. These include:

• The Chandler Ostrich Festival
• Scottsdale Arts Festival
• Arizona Aloha Festival
• Gilbert Pizza Festival
• The Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival
• Mecum Auctions
• Art Detour
• Arizona Bike Week
• Chandler Jazz Festival
• Tempe Festival of the Arts
• Arizona Dragon Boat Festival
• Phoenix Film Festival

There’s a lot to Explore in Phoenix for History Enthusiasts

Phoenix may not have the ancient historical roots of some older American cities, but its dynamic and diverse historical milestones and how they shaped it into the thriving city it is today pique the interest of many history enthusiasts.

There’s a long list of historic sites and districts that showcase the city’s interesting history. My personal favorites are:

• The Heritage Square
• Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
• Rosson House Museum
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
• Hunt’s Tomb

Phoenix Isn’t Ridiculously Expensive to Live In

The cost of living in Phoenix is lower than in cities like New York, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles. According to the latest data from RentCafe, the cost of living in Phoenix is 3% lower than the state average, too.

Housing prices, in particular, tend to be more affordable in Phoenix than in many large cities in the US. This is good news for those traveling on a budget, especially since hotel rates tend to shoot up in March because it marks the start of the spring peak season.

2. Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs is a popular resort city that’s recently established itself as a premier golfing destination. This is largely due to the city’s scenic desert setting, breathtaking mountain backdrops, and rich golfing heritage that dates all the way back to the 1920s.

Palm Springs weather is also a big part of its allure as the perfect winter sun destination for golf enthusiasts. March is typically warm, dry, and sunny in this part of California. The average high and low temperatures are 80°F (27°C) and 65°F(18°C), respectively. The average monthly rainfall is a meager 0.63 in. (16 mm), and most days have at least ten hours of daylight.

These weather conditions make Palm Springs a great winter sun destination for not just golf enthusiasts, but also individuals interested in other outdoor activities such as lounging by the pool, hiking, tennis, horseback riding, cycling, exploring the city’s cultural and art scene, and much more. Put simply, Palm Springs has outdoor fun opportunities for every taste and preference.

And as you’d expect from a city known to attract moneyed individuals, Palm Springs has a world-class tourism infrastructure. There’s a wide selection of upscale resorts and spas to choose from, as well as comprehensive safety measures to keep crime rates low.

Perhaps the one drawback to Palm Springs is the high cost of living, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the city’s reputation as a vacation spot for high-net-worth individuals. Palm Springs is more expensive than Phoenix on practically every merit. Bestplaces.net estimates that the difference in the cost of living in these two cities is about 18.8% (with Palm Springs being more expensive, of course.)

3. Hawaii

It’s hard to go wrong with Hawaii when picking winter sun destinations. The island state’s location near the equator (it’s the US state closest to the equator) gives it a tropical climate, making it one of the best parts of the US to spend winter.

March is a relatively warm month on the Hawaiian islands, with most parts averaging highs in the 75-82°F (24-28°C) range and lows of 59-68°F (15-20°C). Rainfall is rare, and the average day has about eight hours of sunshine.

This is the kind of weather you want when exploring all the unique experiences Hawaii has to offer. Speaking of which, this group of islands offers beautiful beaches, a host of natural attractions, and immersive cultural experiences.

One of the best things about visiting in March is that this time of the year falls within the whale-watching season. If your schedule allows it, don’t miss the opportunity to see humpback whales as they migrate through Hawaiian waters; it’s a one-of-a-kind experience I wouldn’t recommend missing out on.

How this Top 3 list was made

The top 3 list was derived from a survey where we asked about their top destination for a particular month and region. From these results, we made each month a top 3 for North America, the Caribbean, Middle/South America, Europe, and Asia (including the Middle East). Sometimes, we have combined several individual destinations from a single country into the country itself.