the b & bs in Santa Fe seem pretty expensive for b & bs...$250, $300 and up
any suggestions for nice b & bs outside santa fe? even 30 minutes is ok.
also, driving from Denver... suggestions for routes and things to see along the way?
finally, great b & bs near boulder?
thanks in advance

Does it have to be a B&B? There are a lot of casitas [some are free standing units, some are condo like] that are available in the Santa Fe area for way better prices {approx $100 to $150 a night} and are very convenient to the Plaza area. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...fe-casitas.cfm
[More on Santa Fe Casitas, search here by typing Casitas in the search box.]

How much do you want to pay a night and do you prefer to be north or south of Santa Fe if 30 minutes away?

Deb

Unless you're looking to go for Indian Market when rooms may be booked, there should be plenty of options below $250. Casa Cuma gets excellent reviews on tripadvisor. http://www.casacuma.com/bbinfo.html

Thanks both:
Deb a condo would actually be great because we need 2 bedrooms but we also only need 2 or 3 nights so i don't know if they do that. I
have no pref north or south because I've never been there so have no idea of where I'm going! what do you think?

Most condos will rent by the week. I would think it nicest for your first trip to try and stay around the Plaza area in Santa Fe. There should be plenty of 2 bedrooms on vrbo that would work for you.

When is this trip? How much time do you want to spend along the route, or are you just looking to get from Denver to Santa Fe? Is SF your final destination? I have only driven that route a few times and mostly I wanted to get from point A to B as quickly as possible. It is about a 6 hour drive, stopping for gas only - there is a stretch where gas gets hard to find [don't ask how I know!] I will double check and post back.
As my name indicates, I am a resident of the area and am happy to help you with your plans.

Deb

Deb

internet says 297 miles Denver to SF. 6 hours? how can that be? This is a very spur of the moment, mid-life crisis, "i gotta get out of this place" kind of trip. i have no agenda, no expectations. I just want to see something new and make the most of it. To be painfully honest (not that I'm proud of it) I'm usually a 5-star kind of girl, but this time i don't want to break the bank. I just feel more $$$ cautious and conservative lately.

suite7,

Denver is about 1300 miles from San Francisco, and should take at least 20 hours of driving time. If you go South through Santa Fe, then the distance is about 1500 miles and 22 hours.

I don't know where you looked on the internet, but I believe you may have made a mistake or incorrect entry.

If you are still looking for a place outside of Santa Fe, you might like the Galisteo Inn in Galisteo. This is about 30 mins. outside of Santa Fe with a gorgeous drive to/from. Food is great there, and if you are looking for a tranquil get-away, this could be a good option for you. Check them out on Tripadvisor, etc. We've stayed there about 4 times and liked it very much.

Happy travels,

LisaG

Whoops! Just checked on-line and the Galisteo Inn has closed (beginning of 2009). So nix that recommendation!

LisaG

OP is driving from Denver to Santa Fe, not sure where San Francisco came into the equation

It is about 380 miles, not sure why you got the mileage you did. Maybe a little less than 6 hours.

Deb

Thanks deb
you would not believe but i have GOOGLED distance from denver to santa fe and got anywhere from 286 miles to 800!!!! no wonder i'm confused

Aha! I was reading SF as San Francisco, not Santa Fe!! My mistake.....I'll wake up soon! Thanks for the catch.

LisaG

Deb: Do you know anything about the Chapelle St. Casitas near the Plaza? We are looking at a two-bedroom oneon McKenzie street for $198/night in January (for a week). Would you recommend VRBO instead? Thanks.

Nancy

Nancy, I posted a reply on your thread about this.
Deb

Routes from Denver to Santa Fe
1. I-25 is the fastest and the most boring scenery--the route is east for the Rockies until you almost get to Santa Fe
2. You can leave I-25 at Walsenburg in southern Colorado and take highway 160 to Ft Garland--if you have time stop in La Veta, a charming little town just off highway 160-at the base of the Spanish Peaks--http://www.lavetacucharachamber.com/ In Fort Garland take highway 159 through the San Luis Valley (where the Spanish first settled in what is now Colorado in 1851). Highway 159 becomes highway 582 when you cross into New Mexico. Continue on 582 into Taos--then take highway 68 which eventually become highway 285 on into Santa Fe.
3. Take highway 285 from Denver to Santa Fe - very scenic--The route takes you through the foothills west of Denver and over Kenosha Pass. As you round the curve at the top of Kenosha Pass, South Park spreads out below you--it's one of my favorite sights in Colorado. When you are almost across South Park, there it another gorgeous vista of the Collegiate Peaks (some of the highest peaks in Colorado) rising from the Arkansas Valley. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs is located just off 285 http://www.mtprinceton.com/. Also just off 285 is Salida, a great place to have lunch. Continuing on 285 takes you over Poncha Pass and into the San Luis Valley. Just past Villa Grove in the valley, you can take highway 17(which cuts a little distance off the drive through the valley). Just to the east of of 17 is the Great Sand Dunes National Park, if you are interested. You will then cross into New Mexico. More gorgeous scenery and Ojo Caliente http://www.ojocalientesprings.com/ and finally you will arrive in Santa Fe.