It may be hot, but at least your hair won’t have a mind of its own
It may be hot, but at least your hair won’t have a mind of its ownThere’s something magical about stepping off the plane and immediately noticing the difference. The air feels lighter. Your clothes don’t cling to you. Makeup stays put. Your sunglasses don’t fog up the moment you step outside. And yes—your hair actually behaves.
While much of the country spends summer battling sticky afternoons and relentless humidity, the high desert offers a completely different experience. Although temperatures can climb into the 90s—or even higher—the dry air often makes the heat feel far more comfortable than an 85-degree day in a humid climate.
If you’re ready to trade muggy weather for sunshine, wide-open landscapes, and spectacular sunsets, these destinations belong on your summer travel list.
1. Santa Fe, New Mexico
With its adobe architecture, vibrant art scene, and elevation of more than 7,000 feet, Santa Fe combines warm sunny days with cool evenings and remarkably dry air. Spend your mornings wandering the historic Plaza, browse galleries along Canyon Road, and finish the day with dinner on a patio as the mountains glow at sunset.
Don’t miss:
- The Plaza
- Canyon Road
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Southwestern cuisine
2. Santa Barbara, California
2. Santa Barbara, CaliforniaIf you’d rather enjoy ocean breezes without the sticky summer air, Santa Barbara delivers.
Its Mediterranean climate offers beautiful beaches, waterfront dining, wine tasting, and comfortable temperatures that rarely feel oppressive.
Don’t miss:
- Stearns Wharf
- Funk Zone wineries
- Mission Santa Barbara
3. Sedona, Arizona
Towering red rock formations, scenic hiking trails, and dramatic sunsets make Sedona unforgettable. Its high-desert climate means warm afternoons, crisp evenings, and much lower humidity than many summer destinations across the country.
Highlights:
- Cathedral Rock
- Jeep tours
- Scenic drives
- Wellness retreats
4. Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs embraces the desert lifestyle. Days are hot, but the lack of humidity makes mornings by the pool and evenings outdoors surprisingly enjoyable. Luxury resorts, mid-century architecture, golf courses, spas, and mountain views make it one of the country’s favorite desert escapes.
Perfect for:
- Resort vacations
- Spa weekends
- Poolside relaxation
5. Bend, Oregon
5. Bend, OregonLocated on Oregon’s eastern side, Bend enjoys a sunny high-desert climate with warm days, cool nights, and plenty of opportunities to get outside. Whether you’re kayaking, hiking, cycling, or simply enjoying a local craft brewery, you’ll appreciate how comfortable the dry air feels.
Perfect for:
- Outdoor adventures
- Paddleboarding
- Mountain biking
- Brewery hopping
The Bottom Line
Summer doesn’t have to mean sweating through your clothes—or surrendering to frizzy hair before breakfast.
Whether you’re exploring adobe streets in Santa Fe, lounging poolside in Palm Springs, hiking through Sedona’s red rocks, sipping wine in Santa Barbara, or enjoying Bend’s mountain scenery, these destinations prove that sometimes the best summer escape isn’t about finding cooler temperatures—it’s about finding drier air.
Did You Know? Humidity can actually make you feel much hotter than the thermometer says. Your body cools itself by evaporating sweat, but when the air is already full of moisture, that sweat can’t evaporate as easily. Instead, it stays on your skin, making you feel hotter, stickier, and more uncomfortable—even when the temperature is lower than in a dry climate. That’s why a 90°F day in the desert can often feel more comfortable than an 80°F day with high humidity.
A Little History:
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, thousands of people headed west not only for opportunity but also for their health. Doctors often recommended the dry, sunny climate of the Southwest to patients with respiratory illnesses like tuberculosis and asthma, believing the clean, arid air could ease symptoms. That reputation helped shape many of today’s beloved destinations, including Santa Fe, Tucson, and Palm Springs.
