Santa Fe

New Mexico Outdoor

Roughing It In Luxury-Abiquiu, New Mexico 505.901.7321

Santa Fe

Santa Fe-The City Different

With a population of 70,000 primarily Hispanic, Anglo and Native American people, Santa Fe, which means Holy Faith in Spanish, is New Mexico's fourth largest city behind Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Rio Rancho.

Situated at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, it was founded between 1607 and 1610, making it the second oldest city as well as the highest and oldest capital in the U.S. In 1912, it officially achieved statehood and today its unique offerings of art, culture and ancient traditions make it a world-class tourist destination, drawing more than 1 million visitors each year. In 2005, Santa Fe became the first U.S. city to be chosen by UNESCO as a Creative City, one of only nine cities in the world to hold this designation. Santa Fe has long been a center for arts and culture. Due to sales, it now ranks as the country's third largest art market with nearly 300 galleries and dealers.

There also are more than a dozen major museums showcasing an array of art, culture, history and traditions, as well the world-class Santa Fe Opera, In recent years, the city has also earned a reputation with food-lovers. Whether you're hankering for basic New Mexican food, creative Southwestern cuisine, or authentic Italian, French, Asian and other world cuisines, the city offers more than 200 choices.

Accommodations are equally diverse. You can choose from an array of resorts, motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, vacation rentals and other lodgings, including campgrounds and RV parks. Four seasons define the weather here. Santa Fe averages 320 sunny days per year, with 14 inches of rain and 17 inches of snow annually. The hottest days arrive in June, when temperatures soar into the high 90s. Because of the altitude, temperatures can change by 30 degrees in a single day, and sometimes all four seasons seem to pass through in a 24-hour time period. Expect sudden rain showers and cool evenings in summer and snow from November through April.

Ski Santa Fe opens from Thanksgiving through Easter, and you can hike and bike year-round. You can also enjoy river rafting, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, fly-fishing, ice-skating and swimming or work out in Pilates and yoga classes and fitness gyms around the city. When you're ready to relax and rejuvenate, choose from an array of spa services, including massage, facials, hot tubs and herbal wraps, offered around the city.

We are now situated about 40 miles Northwest of Santa Fe. Having relocated from Montgomery County, Maryland …we were used to the incredible intensity of the traffic on Rockville Pike! When we came to town 6 years ago, now, we stayed on Cerrillos …which is Santa Fe’s -Rockville Pike:

We can tell lots of great stories about The Silver Saddle! At the time..we were used to the traffic..in fact it made us feel somewhat comfortable. We were right next to Jackalope ..and across the road from a great little New Mexico restaurant, and only a few miles from the Plaza. Now, when we go to Cerrillos, after having NO traffic here..it’s truly dizzying! But if we want Trader Joes, Pet Smart, Home Depot, Office Depot, Borders or MANY of the other chains..that’s the closest “fix”! The thing about Santa Fe, for us, was how close to MAJOR hiking:

Aspen Vista-Above
Skiing:

Santa Fe Ski Basin ..and other outdoor activities we’ve come to love! The food..simply incredible and edible:

The Plaza Restaurant The Opera & Art Genre world renown:

Gabriela on Canyon Road ..and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum ..her paintings of Cerro Pedernal, New Mexico’s famous flat topped mountain, which she painted many times. We made a pilgrimage out here to Georgia O’Keeffe Country as a result of her paintings ..and eventually..moved here with this sunset view of that, now, immortal mountain:

Above the plaza always “Enchanting” to us..here in “The City Different”!

Check Out Santa Fe Indian Market

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International Folk Art Market

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Spanish Market

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Palace of the Governors

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Aspen Vista Hike

Want to live right in the middle of this Georgia O'Keeffe Country? Click Here

Santa Fe Baldy in the Sangre de Cristo

By: James Orr for New Mexico Dept of Tourism

One of the dominant features within the Santa Fe National Forest, Santa Fe Baldy is the highest summit in the Pecos Wilderness. Its peak sits at 12,622 feet. Santa Fe Baldy is a popular hiking destination, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Want to view a Hi-Res 1-100,000 NGS map of the Santa Fe Area?

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When opened in I/E 8, you can zoom to see massive detail, contours, etc.