On Friday, January 20, 2017, after Donald Trump's inauguration, President Obama is taking his family on a well-deserved vacation. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a news conference on Tuesday that the first family is getting out of Washington to go to some place warmer. They have been to Palm Springs, California before, and they want to enjoy that place again.
Obamas' vacation
The Obamas will welcome the Trumps into the White House on Friday. Then they are scheduled to take the helicopter at 2:45 p.m. and fly to Andrews Air Force Base.
Special Air Mission 29000 will take them to the Coachella Valley oasis, where the president has been many times to play golf and to meet with world leaders. It will only be a one-way flight for the government. The Obamas will pay for their own tickets home at the end of their vacation.
Obama's immediate plans
In an interview on "60 Minutes" last week, Obama said the first thing he will do when he returns to civilian life is to spend some time with his wife, Michelle, because they have a lot of catching up to do since both of them have been very busy. The 55-year-old said he is glad to be getting out of the bubble at an age young enough to take on another career if he wants to.
While on vacation, Obama and his family will stay at the home of Michael Smith and his partner James Costos in Rancho Mirage, California.
Smith was the Oval Office decorator and interior designer for the Obamas the entire eight years they were in the White House. Costos is a former HBO executive who in 2013 was named the United States ambassador to Spain.
After the vacation
Obama has indicated that the family will continue living in Washington for the next two years so 15-year-old daughter, Sasha, can finish high school in 2019.
She did not attend her father's farewell speech in Chicago on January 10 because she was scheduled to take a test the following morning, and the school would not permit that as a reason for missing an exam. However, Sasha is expected to go with her family on vacation.
While the Obamas are leaving for Palm Springs on January 20, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will depart DC for Delaware on Amtrak.
