Dallas to Albuquerque is 14 hours driving. 28 hours in the car is an awfully big chunk out of a 4 day vacation.

How about Wichita Falls? https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...lls_Texas.html

United has some $119 round trips to Los Angeles in Sept with good flight times, leave Dallas 630 in the morning, Leave Los Angeles 6:30 in the evening. So you'd only need 3 hotel nights and you'd have 2 half days and 2 full days for exploring. Sea Shore Motel Santa Monica and SeaView Hotel Santa Monica are $150 per night after taxes, and they are walkable to the beach and to everything including the 45 min train into Los Angeles. There are also cheaper AirBnB stays around the beach areas. Apartment rentals are basically outlawed but there are guesthouse rentals or apartment shares etc that are legal in Santa Monica.

<i>I thought it was odd that the OP would have one budget for transportation and lodging and another budget for other expenses.</i>

After I read what others wrote about this statement, I looked at my records and was reminded that travel and lodging expenses account for about 80% of the cost of trips I took in 2015 and 2016.

Living in Seattle I many options if I want to take a $400, $600, $800, or $1,000 getaway, but apparently there aren't many options for those who live in Dallas.

I would suggest Big Bend. It is by far my favorite place in Texas, but I'm not sure it offers what the OP is looking for.

HTtY

I would think NOLA could work. Hotels in summer can be found fairly inexpensive. Parking in the French Quarter could be free if you play at Harrahs even just a few dollars of gambling

Food whether in the budget or not could be done for 4 nights along with hotel and travel for under 800

Everyone has been so amazing with the responses; thank you so much. I just wanted to clarify, the $800 is for travel and lodging only. Our expenses while there are a totally separate budget. This is how we've always planned our travel, and it works quite well for us. We like to get the large expense out of the way, and deal with a separate budget/account for our activities and food. I don't think that's odd at all. I really like the suggestion of Santa Fe, but since I was able to reply last. The hubs has decided that either Reno or Lake Tahoe would be a great vacation for us. I was able to find some vacation package deals (flight/hotel) for around $900 for both of us. I have posted in the Nevada forum for some advice on which city to stay in and what each has to offer. If any of you have any suggestions concerning those locations, I would love to hear them. Anyway, thanks again for your input. You've given me much to consider for our next getaway!

see my post on your other thread . . .

I think Reno/LakeTahoe or Santa Fe would each be great choices. Santa Fe would be more Southwest/Native American themed and Reno would be more California Gold Rush.

Since you live in Texas, going to Reno/Lake Tahoe might feel like a bigger getaway.

Hope you will touch base with a trip report, whatever you decide.