Casa Tua Santa Fe - Ultimate Santa Fe Insider's Guide

La Casa Tua SANTA FE INSIDERS GUIDE Exclusive for our Guests Santa Fe has an amazing and rich culture that spans literally thousands of years with the ancient indigenous peoples from North America and then the Spanish coming in the 1500’s; Santa Fe is the oldest city in the country with the capital dating back to 1610. We have the oldest Mission Church – St. Miguel, which is located downtown area. I highly recommend checking out the multitude of museums that are literally in our backyard. Within walking distance is MUSEUM HILL – 5 of our very best museums capturing the history of Native Americans, Spanish Colonial period and of course – the world renown International Folk Art Museum – who annual festival brings 50 countries to Santa Fe and endless collectors and shoppers to buy the best in folk art and traditional hand-made goods from around the world. There is a great little café there as well. Don’t miss! Museum Hill – A 5 minute walk connects with the city shuttle https://www.santafenm.gov/santa_fe_pickup_shuttle The Botanical Garden is just across the street – and it’s wondering to check out the flora of the high desert of New Mexico. https://santafebotanicalgarden.org/ This Historic Eastside property dates back to the Spanish Land Grants of the 1700’s (I have a copy of the actual signed document from the King of Spain, deeding this as a land grant to a then Spanish settler and also adjacent to the Old Santa Fe Trail – https://santafetrail.org/ which in 1821, became the roadway which harnessed western expansion and dreams of “going west”! So much rich history! The city’s downtown Plaza is the heart of the city where you can visit the original capital building – which has been hosting Native Americans from surrounding Pueblos (reservations) and Navajos, selling their wares under the block long portale for the last several hundred years. If you want to catch the rhythm of Santa Fe – sit on a part bench in the center of the Plaza in the garden and watch and listen. Most likely, you will see tourists, but also locals dressed in colorful regalia and I’m sure you will catch a glimpse of a low-rider car – you will certainly hear it! It’s the tourist center and many shops – beware however, not all jewelry is real silver or turquoise, so buy with caution on any shops looking ultra – touristy! I love the Plaza Café downtown for breakfast or lunch as well as Pasquals – usually a line for both. Check out the St. Francis Hotel – one of the oldest, (and designed by yours truly) to look and feel like a Franciscan monestary, the monks came originally with the Spanish. Lots to see downtown and wandering is always highly recommended. Be sure to google before visiting due to Covid – one never knows hours or if the business is open! Do not miss the St. Francis Cathedral – worth a step in to feel the spirit of the city dating back to Archbishop Lamy – a French bishop who poured his heart and soul into building it. Willa Cather wrote one of her classic novels - Death Comes to the Archbishop, actually written down the street in a house on Camino Del Monte Sol. It’s a must read. Speaking of authors – Doug Preston is a close and long time friend – he wrote 2 non-fiction classics on the Southwest history and culture – Talking to the Ground and Cities of Gold. Don’t miss the Georgia O’Keefe Museum https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/ – a must when visiting Santa Fe. Also – a coveted visit to her home in Abiquii, NM – about an hours drive north. God’s Country! RESERVATIONS A MUST. https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/store/products/abiquiu/abiquiu-home-studio-tour/ While up there – Visit Ghost Ranch https://www.ghostranch.org/ , where she lived in a cabin part of the time and search for rocks, bones and the inspiration for many of her paintings. You can also coordinate a horse ride – which is great! Don’t miss walking the full length of CANYON RD. – known as Artists road, amazing art galleries and shops – so wonderful to stroll and take your time – admiring the historic adobe homes and gardens. Towards the end El Farol – is a local watering hole with bar and tapas and usually live music all week. Flamenco too in season. The Tea House is just across the street too! Also – visitors love checking out: MEOW WOLF – https://meowwolf.com/ 1352 Rufina Cir Santa Fe Farmers Market – A MUST!!! Saturday and Tuesday; railyard. Wonderful! Native American Pueblos – Feast Days; We have 19 pueblos through out the state, and it’s worth checking to see if there are any events or ceremonial dances during your stay. https://www.coyotesgame.com/NAevents.html provides the list of Feast Days – but very important to call since they can change for any reason. Bicycle Rentals – Highly recommend Mellow Velo on Marcy St. Downtown. 505-982-8986 132 E Marcy St. Santa Fe, NM RESTAURANTS – FETCH DELIVERY @FETCH.DELIVERY – DOWNLOAD APP Several restaurants work with Fetch! BREAKFAST / LUNCH – La Plazuela – located in the La Fonda Hotel and wonderful! Plaza Café – downtown plaza Pasquals – downtown water street Tea House – Canyon Rd. Claufoutis – off Cordova / close to house Dulce – amazing pastries/quiche – off Cordova / close to house Dolina – great breakfast & lunch – beautiful cooking, but oh so busy. N. MEXICAN COOKING – Maria’s – 555 W. Cordova; My favorite – been eating here 30 years. killer margheritas – be careful. Off Cordova /close to house The Shed – 113 E. Palace – a classic! Housed in the Palace of the Governors/Historic! Known for their red chiles and margheritas! La Choza - 905 Alarid St; same owners as the Shed – hugely popular! Reservations a must! Tomasita’s – 500 S. Guadalupe St. DINNER Nice (and dressy) – The Compound – Canyon Rd.; Designed by Alexander Girard and owner Mark Kiffin! in summer, sit in the garden! A Classic and favorite. Splurge. Coyote Café – Water St.; Original creator Mark Miller basically invented SW Cuisine! The drinks are wow, as is everything on the menu – onion rings, lobster with pasta! Geronimo – Canyon Rd; expensive and a bit glossy for my taste – but everyone else think it’s a must. Bull Ring – Washington Ave.; Steak house – a classic. Market Steer – located in the St. Francis Hotel. Design by yours truly! La Casa Sena – love for lunch/early dinner in the garden!!! The nicoise salad on lunch menu is out of this world. La Boca – W. Marcy St.; 2 locations next to each other. Tapas Horno; next to my store on W. Marcy! Chef David Sellars DRINKS El Farol – Canyon Road, cleaned up now – but used to be the most classic bar for many decades and I always likened it the bar scene in Star Wars. Live Music The Anasazi – Washington; fabulous and beautiful bar; my favorite margherita in town. Grocery Stores Whole Foods – 753 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe Trader Joes – 530 W. Cordova Rd. Santa Fe Natural Grocers – 1099 S. St. Francis Dr. Santa Fe (caddy corner to Trader Joes) Co-op – West Alameda. Pharmacys CVS – 511 W. Cordova Rd. Santa Fe (Across the St. From Trader Joes Pharmaca – 530 W. Cordova Rd. Santa Fe (next door to Trader Joes Walgreens – 1096 S. St. Francis Dr. Santa Fe (next door to Natural Grocers) HIGHLY SUGGEST LIQUID CHOROPHYL & ELECTROLYTES FOR ACCLIMATION TO NM ALTITUTE 7000 FT. PAMPERING Ten Thousand Waves – book in advance; 505.982.9304; https://tenthousandwaves.com/spa Solar Law – my personal therapist for over 10 years – book in Advance. 505.501.0979 Nails / Facial – my personal gal – really terrific; Jill Jenkins 505.690.4447 Ojo Caliente – Make a day of it! One hour north in El Rito; https://ojosparesorts.com/ojo-caliente/ Ojo Santa Fe – Sister property; 20 minutes away. https://ojosparesorts.com/ojo-santa-fe/ HIKING – Walking off the property is wonderful in any direction is perfect! Also in the neighborhood are: Sun Mountain – you can see from the property! Short and steep! https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/sun-mountain-trail Dale Bale Trails – great network; Atalaya – Trail head at St. Johns College; 6 mile round trip! Check out for specifics https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60958-Activities-c61-t87-Santa_Fe_New_Mexico.html https://www.alltrails.com/us/new-mexico/santa-fe LOTS OF GUIDEBOOKS & MAPS IN EACH SANCTUARY HELP FILL OUT OFFERINGS FOR SANTA FE & VICINITY! HAPPY TRAILS. XOKRIS Last updated 10/21