CA to CO in December- Suggestions?

[uopkt]

My boyfriend and I are taking a month long road trip from the Bay Area to Colorado during December. Our basic itinerary is:
Central Coast CA
Southern CA
Las Vegas
Arizona
New Mexico
Colorado

We have places to stay along the way, but we really want to make the best of it. Looking for suggestions of good food, cool things to see that might be cheap or free, and any other general tips!

[Mark Sedenquist]

My boyfriend and I are taking a month long road trip from the Bay Area to Colorado during December

A month long road trip anywhere sounds pretty cool to me. Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Looking at your route -- you will be equipped and ready for winter travel? Here are some winter driving tips. Here are some route suggestions.

Looking for suggestions of good food, cool things to see that might be cheap or free,

How about a sunset picnic atop Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve?

Will you be returning to California in the same period?

Mark

[uopkt]

Thank you for the winter travel tips! We haven't thought to much about that aspect of things. We'll be driving a new Prius, and we're not sure how it will handle the snow.

Yes, right after New Years in Colorado Springs, we'll be booking it back to CA and hope to get back in 2 or 3 days.
Thanks!