Sun ‘n Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa closes

The Sun 'n Sand Restaurant, which operated in the shadow of the distinctive neon sign for the long-closed motel by the same name in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, closed last Saturday. The restaurant at 2050 Historic Route 66, which had erratic hours in recent years, announced the closure on Facebook. Reached by Facebook Messenger, a … Continue reading Sun ‘n Sand Restaurant in Santa Rosa closes

Western Motel in Santa Rosa torn down, Sun ‘n Sand Motel likely is next

The closed Western Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was torn down a few days ago, and the similarly shuttered Sun 'n Sand Motel in town likely is next, reported a local newspaper. The latest print edition of The Communicator newspaper, based in Santa Rosa, posted a photo with the headline "History Passing" and this … Continue reading Western Motel in Santa Rosa torn down, Sun ‘n Sand Motel likely is next

Making a miniature version of Sun ‘n Sand Motel sign in Santa Rosa

Chris Raley of Fresno, California, is an apparent aficionado of old-time neon signs, so he makes miniature versions of them. Here's a speeded-up time-lapse video that shows how he built a second larger (but still miniature) version of the Sun 'n Sand Motel sign that still stands along Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, … Continue reading Making a miniature version of Sun ‘n Sand Motel sign in Santa Rosa

Sun ‘n Sand Motel may reopen later this year

The closed Sun 'n Sand Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico -- best known for its huge, orange neon sign -- has a new owner who hopes to reopen the Route 66 establishment sometime in 2017. The Feb. 2 print edition of The Communicator newspaper, based in Santa Rosa, reports the new owner is Dipak Shah of Kadam … Continue reading Sun ‘n Sand Motel may reopen later this year

The sad decline of the Sun ‘n Sand Motel

Less than three years after it served overnight customers, the historic Sun 'n Sand Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, has declined into an eyesore and a magnet for homeless people, according to a detailed report this week in the print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator. Longtime Route 66 travelers likely will recognize the … Continue reading The sad decline of the Sun ‘n Sand Motel