Things to Do in Santa Rosa

Enjoy classic 1950s-style diners that have been open for decades or explore an auto museum filled with classic cars. Pay a visit to the Blue Hole freshwater spring or take a slight detour to Santa Rosa Lake. The weather is warm and the scenery is amazing in Santa Rosa, so why not pack up the car and get going?

Blue Hole-Freshwater Oasis

Blue Hole is an 80-foot-wide freshwater spring, one of seven lakes that make up the water system under New Mexico's desert mesas. This one-time watering hole is now a world-class scuba diving site and part of the Blue Hole Dive and Conference Center. It may seem odd to scuba dive in such an arid-desert landscape, but with the consistently warm 62-degree water it makes the Blue Hole ideal for diving. Permits are required and can be purchased at the Santa Rosa City Hall or at the Blue Hole Dive Center.

Route 66 Auto Museum—A Bit of Nostalgia

Check out an impressive collection of Route 66 memorabilia and vintage cars at the Route 66 Auto Museum. You’ll find everything here, from a Chopped Rod to a 1957 Chevy. You can also get your picture taken with a life-sized image of Marilyn Monroe. The photo is realistic enough to cause a stir when you get back home. The best part is, you don’t even need to be a car buff to enjoy this museum.

Relaxing at the Park

Santa Rosa Lake State Park is all about relaxing so find a quiet area and settle down for a picnic. Bring a pair of binoculars and do some wildlife watching at the same time. Launch your canoe, kayak or small boat and spend some time on the lake. If you prefer to stay on land, over 5.5 miles of hiking trails are available for you to explore. The sizable lake and park are roughly 10 miles from the center of Santa Rosa, about a 17-minute drive away.

Spicy Eats and Treats

Take a trip back in time and visit one of the area’s 50s-style diners. Joseph's Bar and Grill still has the oversized neon sign—a perfect reminder of when all the restaurants along the route flashed vibrant colors to get the attention of passing motorists—as well as the retro booths and counter stools that were typical of the time. The menu features classic American and Mexican dishes. The Comet II Drive-In Restaurant offers take-out and dine-in service. Try their spicy Mexican food or old-fashioned fried chicken.

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