Santa Fe Or San Diego?
Oct 13th, 2007, 09:01 AM
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Santa Fe Or San Diego?
I realize that comparing these 2 cities is like comparing apples to oranges. I recently posted a site that may not have been too clear and my husband and I need your advice.
We are spending the month Of Feb. in Tucson and want to travel to one of these cities before or after our stay. Please tell us if you think the better time to travel to SD or SF is the last 2 weeks in Jan. or the 1st 2 weeks in March. If the weather does not vary that much, we would prefer Jan., because we are coming from Chicago. We realize that weather varies considerably from year to year, but if you could make the judgement call for us we would appreciate it.
Our preference is to see Santa Fe and Taos because we have never visited New Mexico. While WE think San Diego would have more temporate climate, we have been to California many times We LOVE the state and have toured it extensively.
Would Santa Fe be unpleasant in Jan. or March for walking outdoors?. We are not really into major shopping at all. Please give us the pros and cons of these 2 cities and places to stay. We are not adverse to renting a condo, but we need help in locations that would be out of the
city with a beautiful, less trafficed area as our goal.On my other post, I have received info about Pacific Beach and Del Mar as possibilities in SD> Del Mar looked very pricey to us.
If any Fodorite has an idea of wherelse we could drive to or from Tuscon we would be appreciative. We would like somewhere that would be interesting or beautiful enough to stay 1 week or so. Thanks, Carol
.
We are spending the month Of Feb. in Tucson and want to travel to one of these cities before or after our stay. Please tell us if you think the better time to travel to SD or SF is the last 2 weeks in Jan. or the 1st 2 weeks in March. If the weather does not vary that much, we would prefer Jan., because we are coming from Chicago. We realize that weather varies considerably from year to year, but if you could make the judgement call for us we would appreciate it.
Our preference is to see Santa Fe and Taos because we have never visited New Mexico. While WE think San Diego would have more temporate climate, we have been to California many times We LOVE the state and have toured it extensively.
Would Santa Fe be unpleasant in Jan. or March for walking outdoors?. We are not really into major shopping at all. Please give us the pros and cons of these 2 cities and places to stay. We are not adverse to renting a condo, but we need help in locations that would be out of the
city with a beautiful, less trafficed area as our goal.On my other post, I have received info about Pacific Beach and Del Mar as possibilities in SD> Del Mar looked very pricey to us.
If any Fodorite has an idea of wherelse we could drive to or from Tuscon we would be appreciative. We would like somewhere that would be interesting or beautiful enough to stay 1 week or so. Thanks, Carol
.
Oct 13th, 2007, 12:33 PM
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Maybe more like comparing a frozen apple to an orange ;-)
Santa Fe is in the high desert and 7,000 ft above sea level.
So, in January you can expect cold (average low around 40 in Jan.), but dry (as usual) weather. Skiing is possible if that interests you:
www.skisantafe.com
Since you mentioned that you liked to explore NM, would it be an option for you to split that one week into 2-3 days in Santa Fe/Taos, and another 2-3 days in Southern NM to see White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns?
Santa Fe is in the high desert and 7,000 ft above sea level.
So, in January you can expect cold (average low around 40 in Jan.), but dry (as usual) weather. Skiing is possible if that interests you:
www.skisantafe.com
Since you mentioned that you liked to explore NM, would it be an option for you to split that one week into 2-3 days in Santa Fe/Taos, and another 2-3 days in Southern NM to see White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns?
Oct 13th, 2007, 01:05 PM
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cowboy1968--Thanks for replying. Would there be a major weather change if we went to Santa Fe the beginning of March instead of the end of Jan.? We are not skiers. We visit Aspen in the summertime just to give you a clue!!
I will read up on your idea of Carlsbad. We have visited caves in Tenn. and last year near Tucson (forgot name)Find them generally interesting but if nothing else is in that area for us it would not be worthwhile.Do you think that 1 week is too long a stay in SF and Taos? I still would prefer New Mexico, but if it is really cold, than we will stick with San Diego.People say it is colder in the winter in Chcago. True, but we are not tourists here.Thanks for your input
I will read up on your idea of Carlsbad. We have visited caves in Tenn. and last year near Tucson (forgot name)Find them generally interesting but if nothing else is in that area for us it would not be worthwhile.Do you think that 1 week is too long a stay in SF and Taos? I still would prefer New Mexico, but if it is really cold, than we will stick with San Diego.People say it is colder in the winter in Chcago. True, but we are not tourists here.Thanks for your input
Oct 13th, 2007, 01:31 PM
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I've never rented a condo or hotel here in San Diego, but would imagine that the places in Pacific Beach might come at a pretty good price during Jan.
The weather in Jan should be decent in San Diego.
For hiking consider Julian and out a little further to Anza Borrego desert. As you seem to know, the desert is beautiful in the winter. There might be snow but for someone from Chicago, you may laugh at what we call "snow".
(I had a friend from the mid-west who wanted to see snow. I took him out to the Laguna Mts and he almost cried. It just wasn't snow.)
You said in your other post that you’ve traveled to SD extensively, does that include San Diego?
I like the zoo when the weather is cooler, the animals are more active.
In Escondido, you have the wild animal park.
The weather in Jan should be decent in San Diego.
For hiking consider Julian and out a little further to Anza Borrego desert. As you seem to know, the desert is beautiful in the winter. There might be snow but for someone from Chicago, you may laugh at what we call "snow".
(I had a friend from the mid-west who wanted to see snow. I took him out to the Laguna Mts and he almost cried. It just wasn't snow.)
You said in your other post that you’ve traveled to SD extensively, does that include San Diego?
I like the zoo when the weather is cooler, the animals are more active.
In Escondido, you have the wild animal park.
Oct 13th, 2007, 01:38 PM
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I was living in Colorado when I did most of my traveling in New Mexico, so I did not mind the cold, dry climate of Northern NM in winter.
Since skiing is not on your list, I doubt that you would have that much fun in exploring Sante Fe / Taos at that time of year. Sure, ABQ is nearby, you have museums, etc.
Other attractions will not be possible, though, like the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR.
If you now lean more towards the beaches, you can still check out Puerto Penasco / Rocky Beach in Sonora. But the opinions on Rocky Beach tend to vary quite a bit, and since I've never been there, I cannot really give some decent advice.
Since skiing is not on your list, I doubt that you would have that much fun in exploring Sante Fe / Taos at that time of year. Sure, ABQ is nearby, you have museums, etc.
Other attractions will not be possible, though, like the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR.
If you now lean more towards the beaches, you can still check out Puerto Penasco / Rocky Beach in Sonora. But the opinions on Rocky Beach tend to vary quite a bit, and since I've never been there, I cannot really give some decent advice.
Oct 13th, 2007, 01:44 PM
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San Francisco will be very cold and way far from Tucson, whereas San Diego is almost right there. San Diego has access to Coronodo, Old Towne, and many nice cities or towns right there. In my opinion SF is another trip in itself, with all that's up there, very different from the SD area, A person can get all the way up to Laguna Beach,L.A., La Jolla, without to much traveling time from SD. If it were me, I's stick with the Tuson,which has much to offer (go to Mt. Lemmon for a western-cowboy thing) and branch out to SD. Also, the Carlsbad caverns are intriguing and quite different from Tenn. Wichever place you decide on, just bring proper clothing and adjust to the weather, it won't spoil your trip that way.
Oct 13th, 2007, 01:48 PM
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Why did I think the base was Az not NM. sorry about that. Yet, so close, my opinion about SD still stands. Yes DelMar is a high-end town, but most places in CA are. It's not that much of a difference, price-wise.
Oct 13th, 2007, 02:12 PM
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I am one of the few people on this board that thinks Santa Fe is such a contrived place of fakeness that it really is a joke..IMO
I do love Taos and I think New Mexico is one of the best states but Jan/Feb is cold and if you like to ski, Taos is great..
I am native San Diegan and not a fan of PB, too many homeless, college kids that are partying on the streets along with tatoo parlors at every corner..if that is for you, great..
Love Del Mar/La Jolla/Solana Beach/Coronado area..it will be cheaper to stay in the off months and since you are staying for a month in Tucson, I would drive on over to SD.
Have a great time and more than happy to help you on where to stay in SD!
I do love Taos and I think New Mexico is one of the best states but Jan/Feb is cold and if you like to ski, Taos is great..
I am native San Diegan and not a fan of PB, too many homeless, college kids that are partying on the streets along with tatoo parlors at every corner..if that is for you, great..
Love Del Mar/La Jolla/Solana Beach/Coronado area..it will be cheaper to stay in the off months and since you are staying for a month in Tucson, I would drive on over to SD.
Have a great time and more than happy to help you on where to stay in SD!
Oct 13th, 2007, 03:39 PM
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TahitiTams, I tend to agree with your assessment of Santa Fe.
Idleweiss, my choice would be San Diego, but if you pick Santa Fe I would make it a March trip. We were in Santa Fe late March this year and it was cool but not cold. My kids took a swim in the outdoor heated pool (hot/cold doesn't bother them) and I sat by the pool in a light jacket and soaked up the sun's rays. After dark it did get a little nippy, so just be sure to bring layers.
I would skip Carlsbad, even though I visited this past summer and really enjoyed the trip. The bat flight program is exceptional, but the bats will be wintering in Mexico at that time of the year.
Enjoy your time in Tucson. I spent a week there last March and I would love to go back for a month.
Idleweiss, my choice would be San Diego, but if you pick Santa Fe I would make it a March trip. We were in Santa Fe late March this year and it was cool but not cold. My kids took a swim in the outdoor heated pool (hot/cold doesn't bother them) and I sat by the pool in a light jacket and soaked up the sun's rays. After dark it did get a little nippy, so just be sure to bring layers.
I would skip Carlsbad, even though I visited this past summer and really enjoyed the trip. The bat flight program is exceptional, but the bats will be wintering in Mexico at that time of the year.
Enjoy your time in Tucson. I spent a week there last March and I would love to go back for a month.
Oct 13th, 2007, 07:58 PM
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I really enjoyed our trip to San Diego during Christmas in 2004. That said, Santa Fe and Taos can be really enjoyable too [ yes, I am partial].
There is much to see that is not contrieved fakeness.
There are wonderful museums, great walks and hikes to be taken with amazing rock formations. The Taos bridge is an spectacular sight.
January will be sunny and will feel warmer than the temps read on a thermometer. There can be snow and the nights will be cold. Dry air, but cold.
March will be more temperate but still not warm. The elevation in both of these cities will make it May before it is warm.
I can give you lots of ideas of what to see that will be a real New Mexico visit, not one of being a tourist attraction.
Debi
There is much to see that is not contrieved fakeness.
There are wonderful museums, great walks and hikes to be taken with amazing rock formations. The Taos bridge is an spectacular sight.
January will be sunny and will feel warmer than the temps read on a thermometer. There can be snow and the nights will be cold. Dry air, but cold.
March will be more temperate but still not warm. The elevation in both of these cities will make it May before it is warm.
I can give you lots of ideas of what to see that will be a real New Mexico visit, not one of being a tourist attraction.
Debi
Oct 13th, 2007, 10:06 PM
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PB isn't a place I'd want to go on vacation, or any other time. Lots of transients, bar hopping 21 year olds that confuse getting drunk with enjoying a drink, college kids come from all over to party, and it seems like the party left PB a long time ago. Nothing charming about the little downtown strip. We've gone to PB to drop off items at the Salvation Army, but otherwise I'd never go there. Also, traffic in PB, and in and out of PB can be horrible.
I always stay in La Jolla at the Marriott near UCSD because I can use Marriott points and my daughter lives in La Jolla. I've never had a bad experience in the 6 years I've stayed at this Marriott. I've also stayed at La Jolla Residence Inn. The accomodations are good for families as they are similar to condos, and you get a free breakfast.
Del Mar has some very nice hotels. The accomodations and restaurants are nicer and the prices reflect that. Not overpriced for the area IMO.
I'm a native Californian and can tell you that the weather will be hard to predict. It may be rainy in Jan. or March. We can get some exceptional blue skies and moderate weather in Jan., and we may have more wind in March.
I think there is a lot to do in San Diego as a tourist, and I agree that the little town of Julian is a great day trip.
I was in Santa Fe in May and the mornings were still cool and it got nippy as soon as the sun set. May is closer to the peak of tourist season, but I was surprised that most businesses closed at 4:00.
It seemed that many people went to Santa Fe for a day or two and I think 3 days is plenty of time to do everything. Much of Santa Fe can be done on foot. I stayed at The Inn on The Alameda and absolutely loved it.
If you aren't into shopping Santa Fe isn't for you. Santa Fe is all about shopping. I find Taos overhyped and much less friendly than Santa Fe. In Jan. or March I think it appeals to skiers and shoppers. Taos isn't far from Santa Fe and you could do a brief visit it's a nice drive.
The scenery in New Mexico is different than Tucson, but other than that I don't know if there would be enough to hold your interest.
I always stay in La Jolla at the Marriott near UCSD because I can use Marriott points and my daughter lives in La Jolla. I've never had a bad experience in the 6 years I've stayed at this Marriott. I've also stayed at La Jolla Residence Inn. The accomodations are good for families as they are similar to condos, and you get a free breakfast.
Del Mar has some very nice hotels. The accomodations and restaurants are nicer and the prices reflect that. Not overpriced for the area IMO.
I'm a native Californian and can tell you that the weather will be hard to predict. It may be rainy in Jan. or March. We can get some exceptional blue skies and moderate weather in Jan., and we may have more wind in March.
I think there is a lot to do in San Diego as a tourist, and I agree that the little town of Julian is a great day trip.
I was in Santa Fe in May and the mornings were still cool and it got nippy as soon as the sun set. May is closer to the peak of tourist season, but I was surprised that most businesses closed at 4:00.
It seemed that many people went to Santa Fe for a day or two and I think 3 days is plenty of time to do everything. Much of Santa Fe can be done on foot. I stayed at The Inn on The Alameda and absolutely loved it.
If you aren't into shopping Santa Fe isn't for you. Santa Fe is all about shopping. I find Taos overhyped and much less friendly than Santa Fe. In Jan. or March I think it appeals to skiers and shoppers. Taos isn't far from Santa Fe and you could do a brief visit it's a nice drive.
The scenery in New Mexico is different than Tucson, but other than that I don't know if there would be enough to hold your interest.
Oct 14th, 2007, 08:36 AM
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Used to live in NM, so am partial, I suppose, and about Santa Fe, yes Tahiti, it does seem sort of 'contrived' but there is still much to love, and lots of history, and if you go a mile or two out of SF, it is so wonderful, ..like stepping back in history. That said, we were in San Diego last Jan, and it was bright and beautiful, but pricy, and busy. Freeways going north to LA are a mess, and congestion everywhere. I'll take NM anyday, given a choice. Thankfully, we go to NM regularly as we have family there.
Oct 14th, 2007, 09:45 AM
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Thanks to all of you for your advice.
Cowboy 68-Interesting that you mentioned RockyPoint. When we were in Tucson last year, many Tucsonians like to go there,but the weather is not that good at the time of the year we would be there. Also, we really love beaches and spend the summertime walking the shoreline of Lake Michigan at our summer cottage. That was why we originally felt NM was a better choice for us, because it is so different and something we have never seen.
.
L84SKY
-- We have never been to SD although we have been to CA many times from LA to Mendocino and Eureka. That was why I thought of NM. However, after reading the posts we think we will travel there at a different time of the year perhaps linkng it with a visit to my brother who lives in San Francisco. Tell me more about the AB desert. Not familiar
Debi...Am keeping your e-mail when we are ready for NM you obviously will be able to help us. THanks
Virgi-TahitiTams-wtm003 and specs
OK I know Pacific Beach would not be good for us at all although I received that info from someone on Fodors who rented on VRBO and loved it..Where to? La Jolla Coronado Del Mar etc. etc.? Better to rent a condo for the week or are there reasonably priced hotels on the water?. That for us is impt. If we can not swim, at least we can walk the shoreline!!!! If the weather is pretty much the same, would prices be a little less in Jan than March? I can check that out. I think our preference would be to be close rather than in SD. If you disagree tell me now. Also Mexico is nearby. Can we drive to Rosarito Beach (spelling?)Anywhere you can think of . Would it be nice to stay overnite and if so where?
Thanks to all of you we can start to look now that we are centered on the location!!!
Cowboy 68-Interesting that you mentioned RockyPoint. When we were in Tucson last year, many Tucsonians like to go there,but the weather is not that good at the time of the year we would be there. Also, we really love beaches and spend the summertime walking the shoreline of Lake Michigan at our summer cottage. That was why we originally felt NM was a better choice for us, because it is so different and something we have never seen.
.
L84SKY
-- We have never been to SD although we have been to CA many times from LA to Mendocino and Eureka. That was why I thought of NM. However, after reading the posts we think we will travel there at a different time of the year perhaps linkng it with a visit to my brother who lives in San Francisco. Tell me more about the AB desert. Not familiar
Debi...Am keeping your e-mail when we are ready for NM you obviously will be able to help us. THanks
Virgi-TahitiTams-wtm003 and specs
OK I know Pacific Beach would not be good for us at all although I received that info from someone on Fodors who rented on VRBO and loved it..Where to? La Jolla Coronado Del Mar etc. etc.? Better to rent a condo for the week or are there reasonably priced hotels on the water?. That for us is impt. If we can not swim, at least we can walk the shoreline!!!! If the weather is pretty much the same, would prices be a little less in Jan than March? I can check that out. I think our preference would be to be close rather than in SD. If you disagree tell me now. Also Mexico is nearby. Can we drive to Rosarito Beach (spelling?)Anywhere you can think of . Would it be nice to stay overnite and if so where?
Thanks to all of you we can start to look now that we are centered on the location!!!
Oct 14th, 2007, 10:01 AM
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clarasong..I posted before I read your info.Don't worry. We are going to visit there. I am determined to see NM. I will keep you on a list with Debi for help planning. I feel we are better off coming there when we can take advantage of the beauty and hike and walk outdoors comfortably.
Oct 14th, 2007, 10:35 AM
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Hi idleweiss..
What is your hotel budget in SD?
I would do Rocky Point over going to Rosarito Beach..
Mexico is not what it used to be and its become a very dangerous along the border towns..
Clara..love New Mexico and have lots of friends with homes in Santa Fe, outside of the town which I do love
but most people aren't going to experience that portion of NM..
Big fan of NM
What is your hotel budget in SD?
I would do Rocky Point over going to Rosarito Beach..
Mexico is not what it used to be and its become a very dangerous along the border towns..
Clara..love New Mexico and have lots of friends with homes in Santa Fe, outside of the town which I do love
but most people aren't going to experience that portion of NM..
Big fan of NM
Oct 14th, 2007, 03:56 PM
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I always recommend the Sea Lodge - now called the La Jolla Shores Hotel I believe. Why? Because it's location can't be beat. It is right on a nice beach, close to a great little neighborhood where you can walk for meals. The hotel staff can set up a bbq on the beach for you, which is a lot of fun no matter what time of year. You would be close to La Jolla, of course, but also downtown and nearer to North County, in other words, centrally located. My relatives always stay there even though we live 15 miles north and they all love it, as do we. We think of it as a "mini vacation" for us too!
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