San Diego or New Mexico?
 

Hi Everyone! I am planning a trip during the last week of August with just myself and a girlfriend. We are both 23 years old (females). The main purpose of our trip is to see the Grand Canyon (we will stay overnight). We also want to experience some other things too, though. Our dilemma is that we don't know whether to fly into Albequerque, NM and try to see Santa Fe and then drive to the Canyon, or fly into San Diego, and then drive from there to the Canyon. We want to drive and see things, so the distance doesn't bother us. Anyone know which one we should choose? We want to experience nature/beauty more than anything else, but don't want to be too bored. Thanks for your help!!

Albuquerque is closer; it's about five hours to Flagstaff and then another hour, I think, to the Grand Canyon. The scenery between the two is lovely, and though it will be hot, it won't be as hot as a drive from San Diego would be.

You could spend a couple of days around Santa Fe; there are some good hikes in the area, and Bandelier National Monument isn't too far away.

Have you considered flying into Phoenix instead? It's much closer.

Lee Ann

I believe the Santa Fe Opera might be finished by the last week in August but you might keep in mind that hotel rates tend to go way up during the Opera weekends.

Fly to San Diego, stop in Vegas on your way to the Grand Canyon, and then go to Santa Fe before flying out of Albuquerque.

Thanks for all of your suggestions everyone! I think that we are going to fly into El Paso, TX, then drive through New Mexico, stop at Santa Fe and Albuquerque, then go on to the Grand Canyon, and end in Vegas. We want to see San Diego, but might just do the California coast in a different Trip. I appreciate your help and if you have any more suggestions, keep 'em coming!!! :)

We drove from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas - it really is a long drive and not all that interesting - lots of grey landscape. You could do it in one very long day - we stopped in Yuma, AZ overnight. I think you made the right choice.

You can always leave your rental car at Grand Canyon and then fly from there to Las Vegas. You don't need a car for getting around in Las Vegas. If you decide you want to take day trips to Red Rock, Hoover Dam, etc. you can easily rent a car for just 1 or 2 days.