Touring - Mid December to early Janurary tour: WHERE TO GO?

Okay, so, I made a post earlier asking for advice on doing a coastal tour, without considering the weather conditions.

Yes, I am a genius.

Now since that idea is out the window, I need some suggestions on where I could possibly start and finish a tour.

This time period is about my only free time, seeing as how it is the off season for school.

Where would you go if you were to tour at this time period?

A couple people suggested Death Valley in my last thread. I'm not sure if that's where I would want to spend my time, but am not ruling it out.

Any other suggestions?

Trying to stay as close to California as possible, for financial purposes. Trying not to spend more than 150 dollars to get to my destination.

Well, it's not near California, but Queensland, Australia would have great weather at that time of year! :D

Okay, so, I made a post earlier asking for advice on doing a coastal tour, without considering the weather conditions.

Yes, I am a genius.

Now since that idea is out the window, I need some suggestions on where I could possibly start and finish a tour.

This time period is about my only free time, seeing as how it is the off season for school.

Where would you go if you were to tour at this time period?

A couple people suggested Death Valley in my last thread. I'm not sure if that's where I would want to spend my time, but am not ruling it out.

Any other suggestions?

Trying to stay as close to California as possible, for financial purposes. Trying not to spend more than 150 dollars to get to my destination.

Just stay in CA and ride up the coast as far as you can.

Koffee

Baja? - but start below Ensenada.

Here's what I've done in between the Christmas and New Years time period:

Phoenix to Tucson and back
Southwestern Arizona loop (Benson, Tombston, Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Benson)
Flagstaff to Phoenix (had a car shuttle to Flagstaff)
California High Desert (Phelan, Mojave, Ridgecrest, Barstow, Phelan)
San Diego AYH Christmas Trip http://sandiegohostels.org/bikeride/index.htm

Here's what I want to do some day:

Death Valley
Flagstaff, AZ to Victorville, CA (drive to Victorville, take Amtrak with folding bike to Flagstaff, ride back along old Route 66 to car in Victorville)

Another possibility - -
You mentioned Amtrak before - plus you want to do it on the cheap.
What about taking Amtrak to Tucson?
Or better, bike to Tucson and take Amtrak back - prevailing winds are westerly.
Maybe from Oceanside to Pauma Valley and S-22 to Borrego Springs.
Then cut up thru Joshua Tree and to Twentynine Palms and Hwy 62 to Parker.
AZ 72 to Vicksburg, US 60 to Salome, Salome Road to Arlington.
Old US 80 to Gila Bend, AZ 85 to Ajo, and AZ 86 to Tucson.

I'm guessing you haven't toured that much and should stay on pavement and in the U.S. There are lots of places in the desert to pitch your tent for free. The weather should be mild, but the days will be fairly short - 10 hours. Still there may be 50+ mile stretches without services.

I like Koffee's idea :) Just get on the bike and GO! It never rains ALL THE TIME in left coast america for three weeks, even in the winter!

i'm planning to ride Washington's Olympic Peninsula on a mutli day trip between now and New Year's.