Espanol and Santa Fe..is this too limiting?
 

Am in process of researching our vacation last week of Aug. Is staying at Rancho de San Juan [Espanola] and Water Street Inn [Santa Fe] too restricting to see the area? My husband and I enjoy nice accommodations and are from east coast. Would fly in/out Albuquerqe. Driving distances seem far and we don't want to spend entire vacation in car. Any advice re: accommodation base for Santa Fe area [7-8 nights] would be most appreciated. <BR>

Hi Elaine--my husband and I stayed at Water Street Inn in February; it was great--nice rooms, breakfast delivered to your room, happy hour each evening. It is a very easy walk to town/the Plaza from Water Street Inn and we also walked to dinner several nights. We very much enjoyed our trip to Bandelier National Monument which is just beyond Los Alamos--I imagine it will be hot in August so you would probably want to go early in the day. We found Santa Fe an easy base to see Taos and the surrounding area. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>Mary

Mary, <BR>Thanks for posting. How many nights did you stay at Water Street Inn? Our time in Santa Fe area will be brief...only 7 or 8 nights. We live on the east coast.

Hi Elaine--we live in D.C. and went to <BR>Alb. on a cheap Southwest flight for an extended weekend; drove straight to Santa Fe and stayed at the Water Street 4 nights; we spent half-day at Bandelier; a day in Taos; and then several days exploring Santa Fe--took a morning-long walking tour that was great. <BR> <BR>let me know if you have any questions <BR> <BR>Mary

Elaine: <BR> <BR>A week is plenty of time to get a good feel for Santa Fe. I would agree that Taos and Bandolier are great side trips, and would also suggest Pecos, another pueblo ruin to the south of S.F. <BR> <BR>As far as driving goes, for someone from the East Coast there is a lot of distance between sights, but one of the great things about that area is that getting anywhere really is half the fun-the scenery is spectacular, even most of the way from Albuquerque to S.F.

Mary, <BR> <BR>Am hoping last wk./Aug. won't be too hot in Santa Fe. Appreciate your info. Was that a direct flight on Southwest? We would fly out of Phila. <BR> <BR>Sanda, <BR>Thanks for posting. You actually answered my unasked driving/scenery question! Someone had mentioned we would be bored staying 7-8 nights in the Santa Fe area. From what you mention and reading/research, it appears there are endless possibilities! Am hopeful this is true.

The weather the last week in August should be delightful. We go to Santa Fe the 3rd weekend in Aug every year(for Indian Market) and the weather tends to be in the low 80's during the day and 60's at night. Santa Fe is in the mountains and beneftits from the high altitude. Sure beats the heat and humidity of Wash, DC.

Sounds like the weather will be nice; I would still go to Bandalier early since there was a VERY small parking lot and I could imagine it filling up. <BR> <BR>The flight stopped in St. Louis but we left BWI early in the morning and were in Santa Fe for lunch. <BR> <BR>Remember on the distances that you can make much better time in the West than we ever can in the East and as has been noted the scenery is wonderful! <BR> <BR>If you want restaurants, let us know <BR> <BR>Mary

Sounds like the weather will be nice; I would still go to Bandalier early since there was a VERY small parking lot and I could imagine it filling up. <BR> <BR>The flight stopped in St. Louis but we left BWI early in the morning and were in Santa Fe for lunch. <BR> <BR>Remember on the distances that you can make much better time in the West than we ever can in the East and as has been noted the scenery is wonderful! <BR> <BR>If you want restaurants, let us know <BR> <BR>Mary

Dick, <BR> <BR>You mention that you go to Indian Market every year. Do you stay in one particular place? I would like our accommodation firm, so I can look at maps to plan rest of our vacation. <BR>You are so right re: August/weather/East Coast! <BR>Are you at all familiar w/Rancho de San Juan? <BR> <BR>Mary, <BR>Will definitely post re: restaurants, etc. Want to plan our accommodations and then fill in the holes. May fly USAir direct...but will check prices. <BR>Thanks! <BR>