Welcome to Santa Fe!

Santa Fe, New Mexico, located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, sitting at an elevation of 7000 feet above sea level is home to a population of approximately 130,000 people, evokes a majestic physical setting and a unique blend of lifestyles, cultures, highly accessible recreation and an amazing climate experiencing all four seasons.

A Brief History
Santa Fe was found in 1540 by the Spanish Conquistador, Don Francisco Vasques de Coronado giving it the status of the oldest seated government and Capitol City on the North American continent.  For this reason alone Santa Fe architecture conveys a sense of both Spanish and Native American history resonant in both historic structures and easily recognizable in modern construction and development.  Ultimately, there has been a conscious creation of an integrated environment and community planning, enabling growth in complete congruence with the city's physical surroundings unlike no other city in the United States.

Arts & Culture
Santa Fe is recognized on a world-wide level as one of the most prominent markets in the exchange and sales of art.  Private art collectors travel from all over the world to purchase fine contemporary art, Native American art, Spanish American art and western specific art and furniture.  With over 225 art and furniture galleries located in the city there are plenty of options for the local resident or visitor for making the rounds on the traditional Friday night gallery openings - the crowds are as interesting to look at as the art, if not more! 

Additionally, there are several annual events, including both Indian Market in August, which is the largest showcase of Native American art in the world, preceded by Spanish Market in July during the height of tourist season, which make the art "festival" a focal point of this city and its attraction as a tourist and living destination. Both of these events are colorfully showcased in an open-air style market with booths placed side by side along the streets surrounding the plaza, the center of the City Different where the heart and pulse of Santa Fe culture takes place and literally can be felt with live music, food vendors, and the customary activity of art trade - as it has always been.  With this image in mind one might start to get the impression of how the world of art and culture is integrated into everyday living and therefore produces the thought that life is a little slower here and there is time and space to enjoy what is this unique community.

Accessible Recreation  
Fortunately for those of you who are lovers of the outdoors, Santa Fe provides accessibility to a wide spectrum of activities for the entire family.  Santa Fe is home to a number of golf courses (a number which have captured national recognition for both design and management), tennis, a ski area accessible for all levels from beginners to expert out of bounds skiing/snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, road biking, trail running, boating at nearby Cochiti Lake or kayaking/rafting down the Taos River, endless trails and mountain vistas to be captured on a weekend camping expedition in the surrounding area.  One might also consider the accessibility of the immediate downtown area/city on both foot and bike allowing one to park the car and take a walk or a bike to go out to one of the fine and dynamic offerings of eateris the city houses - all of which are smoke free environments for those of you who are health nuts (we assume that's why you are reading the recreation section).

Climate
Annually, on average Santa Fe has approximately 283 sunndy days per year (the remaining 82 days are not necessarily cloudy, perhaps just not sunny all day long); however, with the combination of the high altitude (7000 ft.) the temperatures remain moderate throughout the year with very little extreme on both the high and the low side.  Unlike many other climates in the southwest there are four distinctive seasons to enjoy in Santa Fe; we often experience consistently dramatic afternoon thunderstorms in the latter summer months, snowstorms of perfectly dry powder for fine skiing throughout the winter months and into the early spring and an amazing zephyr to sleep to with the windows agape from early spring to late fall.