Road trip itinerary

Hello. I am thrilled to be planning our next family vacation (2 kids: pre-schooler %26amp; teenager). We are thinking of a two week road trip next December or January. The idea behind this road-trip is to experience the Southwest/nature to its fullest and we want to include some mountains, desert and the ocean. We would love to throw in a few cultural/historic stops (but they need to be kid-friendly). We are considering flying into Albuquerque and flying out of San Diego. At this point the rough itinerary would include Santa Fe, Durango, Monument Valley, Holbrook (en-route stop), Sedona, Phoenix, Tucson and San Diego. It is hard for me to plan a trip to this area and forgo Carlsbad Caverns and Death Valley for the sake of time and a more compact itinerary鈥?There is always next time. We omitted Grand Canyon because we have already been there a few times. We are completely flexible at this point. I just wanted to know if there are any must-sees along this route or if there are other routes to consider. Sorry if this question is to broad but I would be grateful for any feedback.

Road trip itinerary

You have some really nice places on your itinerary. I went to Santa Fe last year %26amp; that%26#39;s a really interesting, beautiful place to spend a few days. Great museums, shops %26amp; architecture. Also, visit Taos Pueblo, which is only about 90 mins away.

Near to Sedona you have Jerome, a regenerated mining ghost town. It has a great setting %26amp; lots of history.

This only makes your list of possible stops longer, but I hope it helps.

Road trip itinerary

I would add Mesa Verde, very easy to fit in between Durango and Monument Valley (a good place to stay is Mexican Hat, also en route, with its nice setting and decent choice of motels, including my favorite, the San Juan Inn).

Remember that during December and January in Santa Fe, Durango and places in between it will be winter.. snow cold etc.

Santa Fe is a great place to visit, not a super kid friendly place, but the museums are great and restaurants are all friendly for families. Shopping and galleries are just not the most fun for kids, but adults will love it!

Near Durango is Mesa Verde Nat Park as mentioned before, that would be great fun. Also nearby is Pagosa Springs with some fun hot springs.

Since you are planning your trip for December or January, I would suggest taking a more southern route through Arizona. As noted by another poster, Santa Fe, Durango and even Albuquerque do have actual winter and even snow.

Traveling with a teen and a pre-schooler, my recommendation would be to go south to Las Cruces (from there make a quick side trip to White Sands National Monument)then west on I-10 into AZ. Places you might want to consider visiting in the SE corner of AZ are Chiracahua Natl Monument, Tombstone, Bisbee, Kartcher Caverns (near Benson--outstanding!), Tucson, (much to see there--log on to www.visittucson.org for ideas.) Depending on how much time you have, continue on to Phoenix and/or Sedona, then head west on either I-10 which will take you thru Los Angeles or I-8 that takes you directly into San Diego. Keep in mind that when you get into the Sedona/Flagstaff area, you will be in the mountains and the weather will be considerably cooler.

Thanks so much for all of your great suggestions/comments! I really appreciate it.

Since I am planning your trip for Feb or March I would suggest taking a more southern route through Arizona. As noted by another poster, Santa Fe, Durango and even Albuquerque do have actual winter and even snow.

Thanks

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