Escaping the British winter in February - how cold would Phoenix or Santa Fe be? Other ideas?

Weatherwise, Tucson would be perfect. Expect springlike temperatures, around 20°C and lots of sunshine.

There is a lot of to do and to see in Tucson and the surrounding area:

- Breathtaking scenery
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Mission San Xaver del Bac
- Tombstone
- Tumacacori
- Nogales/Mexico
- Saguaro Natl. Park
- Old Tucson Studios
- Biosphere 2

Besides, Tucson has a great choice of excellent resort hotels (my personal favorite is Westward Look Resort).

What we had done:

We started with spending a few days in Santa Fe, then stayed two nights in Las Cruces, with a daytrip to White Sands and Alamogordo, and drove from there to Tucson.

This would be a perfect itinerary for two weeks.

P.S. Of course, the outdoor swimming pools are open and heated.

Thanks so much. Tuscon is a place I've heard of but don't know anything about so your suggestions sound great.

Any other ideas welcome. I know we can find lots to do in the area, we like national parks and shopping and nice scenery. The heated pools sound like heaven. Are the resort hotels very expensive? We usually stay somewhere on the budget side, like a Microtel or Days Inn.

Kay

Santa Fe will still be quite cold. February averages are 49 highs 21 Low F ( or 9 & -6 Celcius). You will probably get snow (elevation is 7320 ft/2231m) so I don't think it will suit your desire for a warm spot.

What about California? You could start in LA and drive up to Santa Barbara, continuing to San Simeon (Hearst Castle) and up scenic HWY 1 through Big Sur, Carmel and then San Francisco.

How cold does it actually get during the day in early/mid Feb

You can find average temps on various web sites. For example Phoenix average daily highs in February are 21-23 C (69-73 F), typically with bright sunny skies. Most years figure a one in four chance of rain in any given week, but typically sunny. Lows according to the same USA Today weather site average 8-11 C (46-51 F).

Of the other places mentioned the altitude is the main factor in determining the temperature (Phoenix is about 1,000 ft above sea level). Tucson is a bit higher and typically 6 degrees F colder, Sedona is several thousand feet higher and colder still, and Santa Fe is around 7,000 ft and will be pretty cold. All of these places typically have bright sunny skies during the day except when the occasional storm passes thru.

any other suggestions?

The main USA snowbird destinations are probably south Florida, south Texas, the Arizona deserts and the California deserts (Palm Springs, etc).

Bill

Phoenix will be in the mid 60's to 70's. Las Vegas will be in the mid 50's to low 60's. Santa Fe will be cold, in the 40's or lower in the day.

I've been to Phoenix in February and it is rather nice. Personally, though, South Florida would be much nicer (mid 70s).

If you look at weather.com there is a section where you can find the typical high and low temps for a particular city for every day of the month. Very useful info for comparing....Unfortunately, it takes lots of clicks to get to the right page and some are not obvious or even intuitive. I found it the first time quite by accident. Here is Phoenix for February so that you can see what the info is...

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/daily/USAZ0166?climoMonth=2

From Phoenix or Vegas, the next logical stop is southern California! San Diego is beautiful in February and not nearly as chilly as northern Calif at that time. You'll love the coastal drives, Torrey Pines State Park, the Bay, and Balboa Park.

Thank you everyone. This is all very useful. I had already looked up weather averages and that's where I seemed to get conflicting info.

The weather in Phoenix and Tuscon sounds pretty good so we may choose Arizona as our main destination though I'm quite keen on Santa Fe. Maybe we could just wrap up and go there for a day or two.

We have visited California on a few occasions and enjoyed the Hearst Castle, Big Sur etc so don't think we would do that again, though it is a nice part of the world.

Thanks for all suggestions.
Kay

FYI Kay -- the parts of California that sheri is recommending (San Diego, Torrey Pines) are not anywhere near Hearst Castle, Big Sur. In fact, they're a good 5-6 hour drive south. Very different.

Hi Sheri,
I must have just missed your post. San Diego is a thought, we haven't been as far south in California as that. I'll look into what there is to do there, the coastal drives you mention sound great.
Kay

weather in Phoenix and Tuscon sounds pretty good so we may choose Arizona as our main destination though I'm quite keen on Santa Fe. Maybe we could just wrap up and go there for a day or two.

So long as you realize the weather in Santa Fe will be pretty cold I think this is a great idea. Santa Fe is a unique city and you'll likely enjoy it very much.

From southern Arizona there are three ways you could go to Santa Fe. The obvious is up to the Grand Canyon, then east, which would take you thru some great scenic country and thru the Navajo reservation. This is the most popular route most of the year, but for a winter trip if you wish to avoid the high country while driving I'd suggest either driving east on I-10 thru Tucson and then to White Sands National Monument, which is stunning, then up to Socorro for a day at Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, which is also stunning with incredible concentrations of wintering birds, then up to SF. Or cut it a bit short and just take US-60 from PHX to Socorro for Bosque (skipping White Sands).

So long as the roads are free of ice and snow (the norm except during and shortly after storms) these are good trips in the winter.

Bill

Be mindful of the elevations of the places you wish to study. They range from sea level to more than 5,000 feet. Accordingly, temperatures -- day and/or night -- vary widely. Example: Tucson and Sedona are higher than Phoenix. At the Mexican border, the elevation is about 4,500 ft., the same as in Sedona.

And it's spelled "Tucson" -- not Tuscon.

It would be a beautiful contrast to see the snow in the redrock country in Sedona against the craziness that can be Vegas, then the Pacific - lots of variety and the trip sounds great.

Santa Fe IS a magical place. It will be cold in Santa Fe - you even may encouter snow - but since humidity is low you do not feel the coldness.

My recommendation would be:

Fly into Albuquerque and drive up to Santa Fe (90 min). Spend 3 or 4 days in Santa Fe, including a trip to Taos.

Then drive southwards to Tucson, with one or two overnight stays in Las Cruces. White Sands is spectacular!

You will enjoy Tucson. I am European too, and we have spent winters in Florida, California, Nevada and other places. Weatherwise, Tuscon was the best place for us. February in Tucson is like paradise for us Europeans. The climate is perfect then.

We payed 150$ for a double room (sleeping four) in Westward Look Resort. Since we were travelling with our children, we considered this dirt cheap. But there are dozens of less expensive motel-type places in Tucson.

www.westwardlook.com

You may also try Wyndham Canoa Ranch Resort which has good rates for February.

Thank you so much everyone and I will check out the suggestions for where to stay.

It looks like we may not be able to fly direct, which was our preference, but not too many airlines fly direct into that part of the world from the UK. Virgin fly direct to Las Vegas so that may be an option, then drive from there. (Or LA but that is a lot further west.) I'll have to check out mileage. We had a driving holiday years ago and drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon then north to Bryce and Zion so know a little of what to expect from roads etc.

Thanks again.
Kay

It looks like we may not be able to fly direct, which was our preference, but not too many airlines fly direct into that part of the world from the UK.

There's a non-stop flight from London to Phoenix on British Airways. Maybe not every day during the winter months, but at least on Saturdays (I just plugged in a 2 week r/t on Priceline.com Feb 7 - 21 and it popped up for $860 as non-stop).

Thanks Bill. I was looking at so many different airlines and destinations I think I got confused. I'll have to sit down and have a proper look and make some notes. It does sound like a trip we would really enjoy, the desert scenery and sunshine sound like bliss. Our flights will be the main thing to sort out, car hire and accommodation can follow.

Many thanks again.
Kay

San Diego, Palm Springs, etc. are a good suggestion.

The desert areas get very cold at night sometimes. I'd skip the desert in February.

How about going even further south to Cancun, Mexico? Great beaches, wonderful warm sunshine. That's where a lot of Americans go for Christmas and later, leaving the frozen northlands.

If tou like shopping and spas and such then Phoenix is the place. To
me, Phoenix is a large annoying city that is difficult to get around in.

If you enjoy being out in the desert among the cacti then
Tucson is the place. Tucson is considerably smaller than Phoenix and somewhat easier to navigate. Tucson is surrounded on the east and west by Saguaro National Parks East and West.

There's also Mt Lemmon so you can drive up from the warm, sunny desert and experience every climate and environment that exists in Arizona during the 45 munute drive to the summit where you may very well find snow..there's even a ski area there! It is a great day trip. Another day trip from Tucson is west to see the observatories on Kitt Peak.

Of course there's the Sonoran Desert Museum which is an amazing natural history museum plus a zoo of native critters...well worth a half or full day.

Here's where we stayed:

http://www.casatierratucson.com/

Great place though out of town so dining requies a little driving.

You'll love Tucson!

Hi easytraveler, I think Cancun will be a bit too far to travel on this occasion but it does sound appealing.

Peterboy - thanks for the link to the accommodation, it looks like a lovely place, maybe a touch expensive. I'll add it to the list of ideas.

Happy travels everyone.
Kay

I love Sante Fe, but it is cold in the winter. Southeastern Utah is generally lower in elevation, but is still chilly in Feb. Heavy coat weather. I've hiked through the snow in Arches and Canyonlands in March - but it was stunningly beautiful. Very small crowds is a plus.

I don't know if you've driven in the southwest before, the distances and the vistas are vast. You might spend more of your trip in the car than you would like. Driving through mountain passes in Northern Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah might involve some pretty big snow storms.

Now I am confused! How can it be "springlike temperatures, around 20°C" - Tuscon, quote from above, but

"heavy coat weather / snow storms" in southern Utah.

Surely the weather doesn't differ THAT much in such a short distance?

We would love to come for sunny days and cooler evenings but not if there would be snow and damn cold weather. We can get that in Britain!

Opinions??

Thanks
Kay

"Surely the weather doesn't differ THAT much in such a short distance?"

Oh yes it does!

In the American west, temperature is more a function of elevation rather than how far north or south you are. This is why you can be enjoying a swimming pool in Tucson but then drive to the top of Mt Lemmon for snow (in Feb.) and alpine conditions. This is also why Tucson will be cooler than Phoenix even though it is farther south.

If you are looking for the warmest places to visit in the southwestern US, looik for the lowest elevations.

hi Kay---as a recent MBTA driver responded to me when he was trying to get me to insert my ticket into the fare box in the correct orientation ( I had it upside down) when I ---incredulously---asked him, "You mean *this* way??"

"I'm not lying to you", was his sarcastic, but good-natured answer. (I laughed out loud. I love the Boston sense of deadpan humor!)

Believe what they tell you about the temps. They're not lying to you.

Now I am confused! How can it be "springlike temperatures, around 20°C" - Tuscon, quote from above, but

"heavy coat weather / snow storms" in southern Utah.

Surely the weather doesn't differ THAT much in such a short distance?


1,000 ft in elevation equates to about 2 C (4.5 F) change in temperature. Bryce Canyon National Park is over 8,000 ft, Phoenix around 1,000 ft so there's typically 30 F temperature difference. So a winter day in Phoenix might be 70 F and the same sunny day in Bryce might be 40 F.

Or, to pick two places so close together you can see both at the same time, the south rim of the Grand Canyon is over 7,000 ft and just below at Phantom Ranch on the river (about 400 meters north) it's 2,400 ft elevation. Today's projected high temp is 75 F on the rim and 99 F at Phantom Ranch.

We would love to come for sunny days and cooler evenings but not if there would be snow and damn cold weather.

It's simple -- pick a place with low elevation and high average winter temperatures. Visit the higher spots (if you want to see them) on short trips only when the weather is clear, when they will be cold but not snowy.

Bill

We live in SEattle, where the winters are pretty much the same as Lodon, cold, wet and dark. When we get to the point we just can't stand it (around Feb or March) we go to San Diego, a lovely city, on the ocean, weather is usually fine, and lots to see in the vicinity. The little town of La Jolla, just north of SD, is a jewel, lots of nice hikes and vistas, san Diego Zoo is famous, parks abound, and wonderful food. Anyway, it's our choice of a gettaway...We stay about 10 days, and do day trips some days, some days just walk the beach,take the little train into town, or just sit by the pool. Hope you have a good time.

Indeed, as others have mentioned, ELEVATION is the key to understanding the climate of the southwest. All of Utah, New Mexico and northern/central Nevada and northern/central Arizona are all at relatively high altitude. Northern/central Arizona sits upon a 6,000+ feet plateau - the same one the Grand Canyon cuts through. Phoenix is at the base of this plateau, with Sedona being part way up.

As a result, only the extreme southern portion of Nevada and southern Arizona are truly that warm in the winter. In southern Arizona (south of the plateau) the land generally rises as you head east from the California border - with Yuma at 200 feet, Phoenix at 1,000 feet, Tucson at 2,400 feet and Sierra Vista at 4,200 feet.

Obviously, the lower the altitude, the warmer the weather is going to be.

Ken

This reminds me of another interesting aspect of southern Arizona...Sky Islands. Here's a site with a good explaination of the concept:

http://www.terrain.org/articles/21/skroch.htm

I'm rapidly developing an urge to visit the region again

Thanks so much everyone for clarifying this. It makes sense now.

It does sound very appealing, we just need to do a bit of research on airfares and which airline etc.

Thanks again, this forum is fabulous.

Kay

Clarasong,
Too funny. We live in Alaska and when it's unbearable we plan a long weekend to Seattle and sit on the roof at the Inn at the Market and soak up the sun even if we have to wear stocking caps!

Another suggestion for op: probably a more expensive plane flight, but Hawaii is lovely in February.

I live in Southern New Mexico where it's fairly warm and though I love Santa Fe dearly I wouldn't suggest it for February unless you ski. I've visited in December and you can bear the cold because it's so beautiful before Christmas.

Phoenix and Tucson are the warmest of the destinations you mentioned but neither one is as charming as Santa Fe or Sedona.

People are often surprised to see ice and snow in northern Arizona but it's there. What I would recommend if you visit Tucson is an excursion to Mata Ortiz in Mexico. They are famous for their pottery and it's quite beautiful.

The National Parks you mentioned are all quite beautiful an could be lovely with snow. I've been to Mesa Verde in the snow and it was extremely striking. I would recommend a car with 4-wheel drive.

As others have stated, the weather in Tucson area in Feb. will be sunny and warmer than northern AZ or Santa Fe, NM. The daytime temperatures are 20 C, but it can cool off at night. The only snow we have seen in the area was in Jan., and even then it was only a dusting of snow which was gone by midmorning. The northern part of AZ can get MUCH more snow, but you are not looking for that. Even the cool evening temperatures will feel warmer than the British damp weather since it is a dry heat and cool except during monsoons. There are lovely state parks, caverns, mines, historical sites, museums, etc. which could easily fill your two weeks in the Tucson/SE AZ area. The following websites can give you more details and events: www.visittucson.org;www.discoversouthernaz.com;www.discoverseaz.com.

Hi Kay,

I say bundle up and visit Santa Fe...even if it's for a day or two! I was born & raised there, but currently live in California. I can't tell you how much I miss it. Art, culture and great food! What else can you ask for? Plus the green chile will help keep you warm.

In all honesty, SFe can be mighty cold in February. If you travel to the States regularly, I say visit Santa Fe when the weather best suits your fancy. Spring/summer is normally the tourist season.

However, if you cross the pond once in a blue moon, winter in New Mexico truly is beautiful! I wouldn't pass up the chance to see Santa Fe because of a few snow flakes or chilly nights!

Enjoy your vacation,
Krista

KayF, if you have never been to Santa Fe, then you are in for a treat. It is just a lovely place. Yes, it will be cold, but there are lots of places to stop and warm up. It's just a gorgeous spot to spend a few days....regardless of the temp. Truly beautiful blanked in snow.

Kay--I notice in your original message that you asked for "other ideas". I assume that you are talking about in the USA. If so, how about the Virgin Islands--either the British VI or the US VI such as St. Johns. They are a direct flight from Miami. You could spend a few days on several of the islands and enjoy the superb weather. Just a thought.

That said, husband and I are about to visit south Arizona, NM, and east Texas at end of Jan and first of Feb. this coming year. Have all reservations set and a heavy coat in the luggage.

Cheers, Margo

You can find very good flight options from the UK - don't be put off by having to change in the US (it gets the customs/immigration procedure out of the way so you are ready to hit the road at your final destination very quickly). I have flown to Tucson from Manchester twice now, first changed at Chicago and Dallas and last month with Delta changing just at Atlanta. Both trips were from Manchester so if you are prepared to go from a London airport (yuk!) then you will get a much better choice and probably price. I'm missing the place already

I don't know where you've decided to go or if you've booked hotels yet, but thought I would pass along a deal that I saw in the Washington Post last weekend and which I have booked. The Westward Look Resort in Tucson (recommended by Traveller1959) has a buy 3 nights, stay for 5 nights deal for $604 per room, not per person. I haven't stayed there before but the Post clip said the resort had just completed renovations so was willing to take the chance. You have to call them and ask for it and I believe it's available until sometime in April (probably subject to some capacity restrictions).

Hi there, I'm the original poster and wanted to say thanks so much for all this info and let you know what happened to our trip.

Unfortunately we weren't able to go as planned as I started a new job and it wasn't going to work out with leave etc. We are still really keen and want to visit this area some time, just not sure when. I just checked the temperatures in Santa Fe (early Feb) and it was very cold - a maximum of minus 2 one day!! (that's celsius).

I'd like to include Santa Fe when we go so may try and go at a different time of year.

I have all this info stored so it will be handy for planning second time around.

Happy travels everyone!
Kay

Kay,

One important thing to remember when visiting the American southwest dessert states - it's very low humidity! That means that the cold temps and the hot temps won't "feel" nearly as hot or cold as you are used to in the UK.

It makes a HUGE difference. Hope you get to visit soon!

New Mexico is gorgeous in the fall; it's my favorite season here.

Lee Ann

Hi Kay. We also did a similar trip from the UK in April a couple of years ago. We flew to Phoenix, had a couple of nights there visiting Scottsdale, then stayed in Tucson and visited Tombstone (commercialised but great) they re-enact the shootout at the OK corral.The massive cactus (saguaras, I think) are stunning in the Sonora desert.
Then we drove up to Sedona (beautiful) and on to Flagstaff (route 66. We really felt a drop in temperature here.)We then did a detour to the mountains and visited a little gold mining town called Oatman, where wild horses roam the streets and you can buy food to feed them.
Then it was on to Hoover Dam, had a walk around then on to Vegas for the last couple of nights. We have been to the Canyon before so didn't bother that time. However we hope to return to the area to see Monument Valley and Utah. I must say it was the most enjoyable holiday ever!!

Hi Marly,
Your trip sounds great. We've been to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas before but not to Tucson or Phoenix.

I'm curious what the weather was like in April - was it t-shirt weather or jeans and jumpers?

Also, did you fly direct to Phoenix from London? Which airline did you go with? I think BA might go direct but don't know of any others.

Thanks, Kay