Sanibel, Santa Fe, or San Diego?
 

Hi, everyone - my husband and I are thinking of taking a long weekend somewhere in mid-September. Have never been to Sanibel, Santa Fe, or San Diego, and have interest in all of them. I think we could be happy with any of them but are having a hard time deciding.

Since it's just a long weekend, budget isn't an issue. How would the weather be in these spots then?

Do Sanibel and Santa Fe have enough activities to keep us busy? What are some of your favorite things to do in each area? We really enjoy being outside, good restaurants, a place with a nice view. Has anyone been to the Ding Darling reserve or to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum? What are your favorite things to do in San Diego? Would Sanibel be warm enough then that we could be in the water? I'd appreciate any help you could provide. Usually I'm pretty decisive, but I can't seem to narrow this one down.

I think you could flip a coin on this one!

Santa Fe is perhaps most unique. There is tons of stuff to do there. The O'Keefe museum is very nice. You will run out of time before you even get started.

The weather will be fantastic! It will be a good time to go to any of your places. Let us know what you decide!

The Georgia O'Keeffe museum is nice but small. The weather in NM is usually terrific. If you're going I'd definitely visit it.

I wouldn't go to San Diego in Sept. We went at the end of July and the water was FREEZING. I don't think you'd be swimming in September.

Looks like you just went to the atlas and started with the letters S-a :)

Sanibel would be the worst choice in September because of the heat, humidity and chance of hurricanes. We like going to that area, but in December - March.

Maybe more to do in San Diego and that's a good choice, but in Sept I would pick Santa Fe. You're a week or two early for aspens turning colors, but otherwise it's a perfect time to be in the high country, with crisp air, bright skies and enjoyable weather. Most people are enchanted by Santa Fe, but some find it a bit chi-chi or pretentious. Surely if you enjoy art galleries and fine dining you'll be glad you went.

So I would vote Santa Fe # 1, San Diego a respectable # 2 and would not have Sanibel on the list at all in September.

Bill

I live in Santa Fe...but grew up in San Diego.

While I love living here in Santa Fe, I think San Diego has WAY more to offer.

Santa Fe is a small town with TONS of art galleries...and pretty decent restaurants. And the people are very friendly.

I'm married w/kids, so I don't know much about the nightlife here. But from what I've heard, the nightlife is pretty tame (we only have a few bars...and no "clubs.") The restaurants all close around 9pm, and the town pretty much shuts down. (The twenty and thirty-something all go down to Albuquerque for excitement.)

San Diego has the beaches, Coronado, Del Mar , La Jolla, Balboa Park, The Padres & Chargers, Zoo...and Tijuana is only about a half-hour south of Downtown.
And there are more restaurants and a better variety than Santa Fe. The asian restaurants here are lame. And while I love southwestern/mexican cuisine, I do miss the variety. Oh yeah, the best pizza in town is at Whole Foods.

Keep in mind, Santa Fe only has about 70,000 people...the San Diego metro area has more than 2-million.

So it probably depends on what you have in mind: Laid-back small town with an emphasis on Southwestern/Indian art?

Or big-city variety...but with major traffic?

Either way, both cities are great--for different reasons.

Hey Lucca... ANy suggestions for a hotel in the San Diego area?

Thanks, everyone; I think I'll scratch Sanibel off the list for now. We live in Houston, so it would be nice to visit a different climate and get away from the humidity. I'll take a closer look at both Santa Fe and San Diego.

Bill, that's funny; my husband and I noticed the same thing!

Given your time allotment, Santa Fe would be the best choice. San Diego has tons to offer, making it a great destination for a week long stay.

Santa Fe is smaller, and if you stay in town you can walk to many destinations, and some nice restaurants. Taking a car would allow you to do a nice day trip up to Taos, or out for some hiking.

I've been to all three places, and enjoyed all three. For a long weekend, I would suggest Santa Fe, particularly if budget isn't an issue.

September is my favorite month of the year in San Fiego. It's hot during the day and usually cools off more at night.

I really love Georgia O'Keeffe and have wanted to see the museum for a long time. I just checked their exhibition schedule, and the museum is going to be closed for most of September - argh.

I would absolutely say Santa Fe! Mid September is the best time of year here. Crisp, sunny warm days with blue skies and the smell of roasting chiles and pinon in the air. Cool nights, perfect for a fire in your kiva fireplace.

Fly from Hobby ABQ and then drive on up. Fast and easy. Do a day trip to Taos.

Go to Museum Hill http://www.museumhill.org/

walk on Canyon Road

http://www.canyonroadarts.com/

Go to Shidoni Brass Foundry
http://www.shidoni.com

Go to Tent Rocks for a wonderful hike and really neat rocks:

http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html

Go to Tesuque Village Market and or Flea Market www.frommers.com/destinations/santafe/D9305.html

Go to Bandalier Forest
http://www.nps.gov/band

Drive the Turquoise Trail
http://www.turquoisetrail.org/

For some nice VRBO's to stay:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35111589

And this is just a start!!!

For other threads, type my name in seach box, highlight New Mexico and lots will come up.

Do come up, it will be wonderful and magical!

{ For what it's worth, the O'Keefe Museum is nice, but it is small and I wouldn't let the fact that it is going to be closed be a deterent. It will just give a reason to return to SF, not that you will need one!}

Deb

I agree with Debits regarding the Okeefe museum: it isn't worth planning your visit around. It is small, and I've seen better Okeefe works in other museums.

Those are really different destinations. Since it sounds like Sanibel is off the table (we've enjoyed a long weekend there in a beach cabin, walking the beach and collecting shells, kayaking Ding Darling and walking the trail, bicyling, etc., but in the spring, not September).

Santa Fe fits a long weekend. In Santa Fe I enjoyed a walking tour of the historic sites, wandering through a few galleries, driving up then hiking to see the ancient native dwellings, driving and walking in the national forest. All sounds appropriate for September. We picnic and stop for convenient meals more than looking for good restaurants, so I can't help you much there. Not as dramatic scenery as the red rock country, but pretty in its own right with the native culture thrown in.

San Diego to me is fine as a city, but not nearly as quaint or relaxing. There's the zoo, the beach, maritime attractions, the urban attractions, but not as much natural beauty for outdoors activities.

Sanibel is a place to relax, veg out and hang. For that reason, I'd want more than a weekend there. I'd do a busier place for a weekend.

I'd agree not to do Sanibel in September unless you're really into heat and humidity. And yes, it is kind of the height of hurricane season, although still the possibility is small. Will it be warm enough to get in the water? Mercy yes. You'll be dying of heat and WANT to get in the water, and then you'll still find it like bathwater.

It's true that there is a lot more to do in San Diego than the others, but Santa Fe certainly has more than enough to do for a long weekend, so I don't think that's an issue at all. From your description, I think I'd vote for Santa Fe.

vg, if you REALLY want your Georgia O'Keeffe fix, you can try to get reservations to tour her home in Abiquiu. It is a small intimate tour and although there's not a lot of art, there are a couple of pieces still there (IIRC) and it's fascinating to see where she lived in the winter (her summer home was at the Ghost Ranch down the road). If you're a fan of GO, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

This link has info on the tours:

http://www.abiquiuinn.com/areaattractions.htm

Deb already shared all the reasons I would pick Santa Fe. :-) The weather will be perfect, and you'll find plenty of ways to fill your time.

Lee Ann

Thanks for the great information, everyone. FYB, I had no idea you could visit her home - that looks really amazing. I have always been a fan of her work. Thanks again!

Hi volcanogirl - I'd also pick Sante Fe (in part for the reasons given). We've been to all 3 places (from Houston) and Santa Fe makes more sense time-wise for a long weekend (which I've done). Good 2.5+ hr flight to SD and Sanibel (then you have the drive from Tampa; maybe Ft Myers if you can get non-stop). Great time to go and just enough activities for long weekend.