ABOUT THE CITY
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico is located in north central New Mexico in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains at an altitude of 7,000 feet. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year coupled with relatively mild temperatures Santa Fe is comfortable, refreshing and inspiring.
There 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 crave basic New Mexican food, creative Southwestern cuisine, or authentic Italian, French, Asian and other world cuisines, Santa Fe is sure to pleas the palate.
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. After State government, tourism is a major aspect of the Santa Fe economy, with visitors attracted year-round by the climate and related outdoor activities (such as skiing in years of adequate snowfall; hiking in other seasons) plus cultural activities of the city and the region. You are a lucky one to call Santa Fe home.
About Santa Fe
The city of Santa Fe has endured nearly four centuries of resplendent history. Recognized as the oldest capitol city in the United States, it has served as the seat of provincial government for the Northern Spanish Empire in the new world, the temporary headquarters of the Pueblo Tribes during the Pueblo Revolt, and the capitol of the northern territory of the Mexican Republic. When the United States obtained the lands that now make up the American Southwest, Santa Fe became the capitol of the New Mexico Territory, and now is the capitol of the State of New Mexico.
History
Although the history of Santa Fe is generally well documented, much prior to Spanish settlement and conquest has been overlooked by scholars. Evidence of occupation dates back to 1000 AD, when people from the Pueblos that line the Rio Grande to the south, migrated north and established pit house communities along the small rivers that flowed out of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. One of these waterways was the Santa Fe River. Life here was rich, with fertile farming opportunities to the south and thriving populations of native fauna in the mountains to the north.
Fast Facts
City Population: 147,635
Median Age: 38.3
Sex:
Male: 49.10%
Female: 50.90%
Household Information:
Average Number of Family Members: 3
Housing Units: 65,638
Districts
Plaza
Nowhere is this charm more evident than on the Santa Fe Plaza. Shaded by 150-year-old cottonwood trees, the grassy square is surrounded by historic buildings. The ancient adobe structures, with their gentle corners and irregular earth-tone walls, bake in the soft light of the New Mexico sun. The hustle of the modern city teems to the south, but on the Plaza life slows, and the locals affectionately call their home “the land of mañana.”
On the north side of the Plaza is the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building in the country. Across the front of this grand structure, Pueblo artisans sell the fruits of their labors on colorful blankets, as their ancestors have done for over 300 years.
Where To Stay
Plaza
For nearly 400 years, travelers to “The City Different” have ended their journey at the Santa Fe Plaza. When the city was first laid out in 1607, the inn, or “la fonda” in Spanish, was built on the Southeast corner of the Plaza. Today, a historic palace of accommodation stands on this same corner. Built in 1922, La Fonda is a monument to the city’s colorful and profound past. Immense adobe walls, some as thick as six feet, support massive wood beams that enfold an ambiance in which you can actually feel the history of the city. The only hotel located directly on the Plaza, La Fonda is an extremely popular destination and pre-booking is just about the only way to obtain a room.
By Car
Roads in Santa Fe just meander about without following any particular scheme or grid, so it’ll be a good idea to pick up a map when you first move here. AAA has free ones for members. The downtown is very walkable, so you won’t need to do more than park your car and walk most of the time.
Interstate 25 is the main entrance and exit to the metro area. It’ll take to down to Albuquerque, but be careful in the winter because the road is steep and can get slippery when it snows. Santa Fe Relief Route (NM SR 599) is a great way to get to and from Albuquerque while avoiding the traffic of rush hour, it runs a little out of the way and ends up on the north side of Santa Fe, but is worth it when I-25 is packed. Albuquerque is about an hour southwest of Santa Fe.
License & Registration
Driver’s License and Auto Registration
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
Joseph Montoya Bldg.
1200 South St. Frances Dr.
Santa Fe 87504
(888) 683-4636
www.tax.state.nm.us/mvd
The Motor Vehicle Division has all the information and forms you need to transfer you license and registration.
Public Transportation
Santa Fe Trails
(505) 438-1464
http://santafetrails.santafenm.gov
Santa Fe Trails runs 8 bus routes in and around the city. Nearly all start at the Transit Center downtown. The whole fleet runs off of natural gas. Standard fare is 50 cents, a month pass can be had for $10.
Amtrak
www.amtrak.com
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief trains – eastbound from Los Angeles and westbound from Chicago – meet each afternoon at Lamy, New Mexico. Call the Lamy Shuttle at (505) 982-8829 to arrange transportation to downtown Santa Fe (14 miles) or area hotels for possible pickup.
Air Transportation
Albuquerque International Sunport
2200 Sunport Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
(505) 244-7700
www.cabq.gov/airport
Albuquerque International has service from all major airlines. Southwest uses it as one of its main hubs. Santa Fe does have it’s own municipal airport (see below), but service is very limited..
Cell Phone Waiting Area
The Albuquerque International Sunport has recently completed construction of a free “Cell Phone Waiting Area” for use by the general public. This will allow drivers at the airport to park in the lot and wait for a call from their arriving passenger before driving to the front of the terminal for pickup.
Getting to the Airport
From the north: Interstate 25 south to the Sunport Blvd. exit (#221). East on Sunport to the front of the terminal.
Santa Fe Municipal Airport
121 Aviation Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 955-2900
www.santafenm.gov
Airport Manager (505) 955-2900
Airport Information Line (505) 955-2908
Great Lakes Airlines (800) 224-5111
Santa Fe Jet Center (FBO) (505) 471-2525
Santa Fe Executive Aviation (FBO) (505) 471-2700
Local Phone Numbers
Area Code(s)
| Area code for Santa Fe is 505 | |
| Emergency | 911 |
| Fire Department | 955-3110 |
| To Report a Fire Call | 911 |
| Fire Administration | |
| Fire Chief’s Office | 955-3110 |
| Fire Prevention | 955-3110 |
| Non Emergency Calls (After 5pm & Weekends) | 955-3120 |
| Ambulance Billing | 955-5144 |
| Police Department | 955-6605 |
| Emergency Calls Only | 955-5503 |
| Non Emergency Calls (After 5:00pm & Weekends) | 911 |
| Non Emergency TDD-TTY Services | |
| Chief of Police | 955-5080 |
| Alarm Enforcement | 955-5059 |
| Crime Stoppers Hotline | 955-5010 |
| NM Poison Control | 800-432-6886 |
| Crisis Response | 888-820-6333 |
| St. Vincent Emergency Room | 820-5250 |
| Rape Crisis Center | 888-820-6333 |
| Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families | 473-5200 |
| Child protective Services | 800-797-3260 |
| (to report abuse and neglect) |
| Government Numbers | |
| Building Permits | 955-6645 |
| Santa Fe Trails Bus System | 955-2001 |
| Street Repair | 955-3000 |
| Traffic Signal Light Problems | 955-6619 |
| Water Bill Inquiries | 955-4333 |
| Building Inspection &Enforcement Division | 955-6646 |
| Building Permits Review | 955-6645 |
| City Clerk | 955-6521 |
| City Manager’s Office | 955-6509 |
| Complaints Office | 955-6515 |
| City Government Information Only | 955-6500 |
| Community Development | 955-6568 |
| Community Services Department | 955-6568 |
| Convention and Visitor Bureau | 955-6200 |
| Library Public Main Office | 955-6477 |
| Hours | 955-6780 |
| Information-Reference | 955-6880 |
| Interlibrary Loan | 955-6781 |
| Media Services | 955-6720 |
| TDD-TTY Services | 955-6784 |
| Mayor’s Office | 955-4400 |
| Parking Division | 955-6689 |
| Parking Permits | 955-6581 |
| Parking Violations | 955-6615 |
| Parks & Recreation Department | 955-6682 |
| Animal Control | 955-5043 |
| Public Utilities Department | 955-5740 |
| Utility Customer Service | 955-2230 |
| Customer Assistance (Refuse/Sewer/Water) | 955-2250 |
| For Bill and Account Inquiries | 955-4333 |
| TDD-TTY Hearing Impaired | 955-4333 |
| Water Division | 955-4650 |
| For Bill & account Inquiries | 955-4653 |
| Administration | 955-4200 |
| Emergency Number to ReportTrouble 8:00-5:00 | 955-4282 |
Television
| 2 | KASA | FOX |
| 4 | KOB | NBC |
| 5 | KNME | PBS |
| 7 | KOAT | ABC |
| 9 | KNMD-DT | PBS |
| 10 | KCHF-DT | rlg. |
| 11 | KCHF | rlg. |
| 13 | KRQE | CBS |
| 14 | KTFQ | Telefutura |
| 16 | KRQE-DT | CBS |
| 17 | KAZQ-DT | INSP |
| 19 | KWBQ | CW |
| 21 | KOAT-DT | ABC |
| 23 | KNAT | TBN |
| 24 | KNAT-DT | TBN |
| 25 | KQDF-LP | Azteca America |
| 26 | KOB-DT | NBC |
| 27 | KASA-DT | FOX |
| 29 | KWBQ-DT | CW |
| 30 | KYNM-LP | videos |
| 32 | KAZQ | INSP |
| 35 | KNME-DT | PBS |
| 36 | KTVS-LP | videos-Sp. |
| 41 | KLUZ | UNI |
| 42 | KLUZ-DT | UNI |
| 43 | K43HW | HSN |
| 45 | KASY-DT | MyTV |
| 48 | KTFA-LP | HSN |
| 50 | KASY | MyTV |
| 53 | KTEL-LP | TEL |
Radio
| AM Stations | ||
| 810 | KSWV | regional Mexican |
| 930 | KDCE | regional Mexican |
| 1260 | KTRC | talk (progressive) |
| 1400 | KVSF | sports |
| 1490 | KRSN | talk |
| FM Stations | ||
| 90.7 | KSFR | variety |
| 91.9 | KCZO | contemporary Christian-español |
| 92.9 | KYBR | regional Mexican |
| 94.7 | KBOM | active rock |
| 98.1 | KBAC | adult alternative |
| 101.1 | KSFQ | smooth jazz |
| 101.5 | KWRP | free form |
| 102.9 | KLBU | dance, electronica, world |
| 107.5 | KQBA | country |
Newspapers
Santa Fe New Mexican
1368 Cerrillos Road.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 983-3303
www.freenewmexican.com
Northern New Mexico’s daily newspaper
Santa Fe Reporter
132 E. Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-5541
www.sfreporter.com
Weekly newspaper
Dining & Nightlife
The city of Santa Fe sits at a cultural crossroads—a junction between Native Americans, Old World Hispanics and Anglo-Americans. As these cultures interacted through the centuries, a singular brand of cuisine evolved that combined the utilitarian simplicity of Native American food with zesty Hispanic seasonings. The essence of this fare can be captured at dozens of Santa Fe restaurants, in varying degrees of authenticity, style and price.
The Santa Fe Five and Dime, right on the Plaza, takes simplicity to the next level with its world-famous Frito Pies—a bag of chips, sliced sideways then filled with chili, cheese and onions.
Entertainment
Some called it folly and others called it vision when a youthful John Crosby founded the Santa Fe Opera in 1957. History now recognizes it as genius. Santa Fe was just a fledgling tourist destination a half a century ago. But the demographic of visitors and transplants to this Northern New Mexico community was that of culture, money and more money. Crosby knew that this meant that there was a cultural niche to fill in the city’s entertainment offerings and if he built it, they would fill the seats and line his pockets. Fill it he did. The original 420-seat, open-air theater perched on a piñon-carpeted hill north of town has been replaced. The new facility now seats over 2,000, yet it retains the same intimate quality of the original. A roof now covers the seats, as protection from sudden, high-desert downpours, but the sides remain open to the splendor of New Mexico’s sunsets and star-filled skies. The opera has premiered dozens of now-popular shows. Each season offers old favorites and new, original productions.
Attractions
Bataan Memorial Military Museum and Library
1050 Old Pecos Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505-2688
(505) 474-1670
Rodeo de Santa Fe
2801 Rodeo Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 471-4300
Santa Fe Plaza
100 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-7317
Performing Arts
Santa Fe Desert Chorale
500 Montezuma Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 988-2282
Santa Fe Opera
Box 2408
Santa Fe, NM 87504-2408
(505) 986-5955
(800) 280-4654
Shopping
It requires passion and stamina. Santa Fe is a shopper’s dream come true. You can shop all day and then check out the opera or a top-notch play in the evening. And with over 500 galleries and shops nestled amongst historic architecture, you’re sure to find something that’s just your style. Shopping, or just strolling among the shops and enjoying their merchandise, is one of the most popular activities in Santa Fe. You will find lots of silver and gold jewelry, art work, clothing and decorative merchandise.
Canyon Road
100 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-7317
Some of the most upscale places to shop and dine in Santa Fe are in one of the oldest parts of town.
Recommended Tours
A self-guided walk around downtown:
To experience Santa Fe to its fullest, you have to immerse yourself in its history, cultures and quaint ambience. You have to forget about day-to-day stresses and slow down a little. The best way to get started is take a walk around the downtown area. La Fonda Hotel, located on the southeast corner of the Plaza, is a good base from which to start. Directly behind the hotel, on San Francisco Street, is the massive St. Francis Cathedral. Simply stepping into this sanctuary cleanses the mind and soul. Fifty-foot floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows cast a magical light onto a historic alter, which is still used every Sunday for worship services. From the cathedral, cross the street to the Institute of American Indian Arts, where dozens of artists study, train and practice in the visual arts. At times you can watch the students at work as they sculpt, paint, carve and sketch pieces that are occasionally available for sale.
Education
Santa Fe Public Schools
610 Alta Vista Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
(505) 467-2000
www.sfps.k12.nm.us
The public schools in Santa Fe are operated by Santa Fe Public Schools. Santa Fe High School is the largest school in the city.
Community Colleges
Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 collegebound high-school graduates start their college education this way.
The second function of community colleges is to prepare students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available at four-year schools, like fashion design.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal attention is available.
Online Learning
Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution can be much less.
There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there.
Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some programs require students to attend some campus classes or orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional.
Public vs. Private
Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention and often more prestige.
Universities
Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional size and some classes may taught by graduate students.
Upper Division
Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.
College Of Santa Fe
600 St. Michael’s Dr
Santa Fe NM 87505
(800) 456-2673
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Campus
83 Avan Nu Po Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87508 – 1300
(505) 424-2300
www.iaia.edu
Serving Native students from across the country allows for a unique cultural exchange within the student learning environment. In any given year, there may be up to 112 different tribes represented within the student body.
Santa Fe Community College
Richards Av
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 428-1000
For more than 20 years, Santa Fe Community College has been the learning destination for thousands of people of all ages.
Southwestern College
San Felipe At Airport Road
Santa Fe
(505) 471-5756
St John’s College
1160 Camino Cruz Blanca
Santa Fe 87505 – 4584
(505) 984-6000
University Of New Mexico
6401 Richards Ave
(505) 428-1234
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