SANTA FE COUNTY
County Offices
102 Grant Avenue
Santa Fe
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
8380 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
Services
Newcomers to Santa Fe County will be pleased to find a quality public education system that is complemented by a number of private schools, both parochial and independent. The institutions of higher education in Santa Fe County are as diverse and unique as the environs, with many centered on alternative medicine and healing modalities. St. John’s College provides a truly innovative curriculum that focuses solely on the reading, study, and discussion of the most important books of the Western tradition. Traditional programs of study on both undergraduate and graduate levels are available at Santa Fe Community College, the College of Santa Fe, and Phoenix University.
The crown jewel of educational resources is the University of New Mexico, serving more than 33,000 students across various campuses and education centers. Branch campuses are located in Los Alamos and Taos, although graduate and upper-division programs are also available in Santa Fe. Course offerings and degree programs are remarkably diverse and well respected. Several UNM School of Medicine programs have been listed in the Top Ten in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and the rural medicine program consistently holds the number two spot in the nation. The university libraries, museums, galleries, and Center for the Arts represent a rich cultural resource for the entire state.
Since the railroad first brought visitors from the East in the early 1900s, Santa Fe County has been recognized as a healing destination that provides a healthful and relaxing environment. Many healing practitioners and therapists have been attracted to this area, blending with highly respected institutions of traditional medicine. Anchoring the network of healthcare facilities and services, St. Vincent Regional Medical Center serves patients in a vast seven-county region that covers 19,000 square miles. Distinguished as the largest hospital between Albuquerque and Pueblo, Colorado, St. Vincent Medical Center provides the only Level III Trauma Center in northern New Mexico.
Quality of Life
Santa Fe County is inextricably connected to the capital city of the same name, one of the world’s most celebrated tourist destinations. Providing a truly unparalleled quality of life, this area continually earns accolades from travel and health experts, the cultural community, and savvy financial advisors. The housing selection is dominated by the charm of Southwestern architecture, although newcomers will be able to choose from a wide range of home styles and settings. Santa Fe County is well known for its sensitivity to the environment and the artful blend of architecture with the surrounding landscape. Many resorts and spas have sprung up in this area, taking advantage of the breathtaking beauty of the “Land of Enchantment.”
Outdoor enthusiasts are minutes from the Santa Fe National Forest, where 320,000 acres of pristine wilderness encourage skiing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, river rafting, horseback riding, hunting, camping, and mountain or rock climbing. Hauntingly beautiful canyons, alpine splendor, and vast open space ensure the perfect backdrop for every adventure. Those who appreciate cultural enrichment will find the finest in visual and performing arts. Nearly 300 galleries are tucked away in modern and historic buildings, contributing to the area’s international reputation as a vibrant art market. Preserving hundreds of years of colorful history, integrating a number of converging cultures, and setting benchmarks for livability, Santa Fe County offers that illusive blend of small-town charm with world-class sophistication.
Cerrillos
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
The charming and historic tree-shaded community of Cerrillos had its heyday in the 1870s as a “wild and wooly” mining town. In fact, the community has preserved so much of its original flavor that many visitors feel as if they have stepped back in time. Images from the past include “Old West” storefronts, adobe buildings, hitching posts, vintage shops and stores, ancient cottonwood trees, dirt streets, and railroad tracks. More than 2,000 mines were once scattered in the surrounding hills, and turquoise mined in Cerrillos even found its way to the crown jewels of Spain. Today, the area attracts visitors along the Turquoise Trail to the Turquoise mining museum, a petting zoo, and panoramic hiking and biking trails.
Galisteo
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
Within a short distance from the world-class amenities and attractions of the city of Santa Fe, the picturesque small village of Galisteo was the site of a Native American Indian pueblo prior to the day of Spanish influence. The village is a showcase of classic New Mexican architecture of adobe structures that are cradled against low rock walls and shaded by lovely old cottonwood trees. The golden skies and vast prairie landscapes of the Galisteo area have inspired world-famous artists and filmmakers who have captured the unique landscape on canvass and film. Galisteo means “village of many names,” which is an ideal moniker for a community that blends a modest but culturally diverse population.
Glorieta
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
The Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range with its 10,000-foot alpine peaks serves as the pristine setting for the community of Glorieta. Just 20 miles east of Santa Fe, this breathtakingly beautiful area is home to the LifeWay Glorieta Conference Center, a sprawling 2,200-acre retreat with facilities to accommodate as many as 2,000 guests. Adobe architecture graced by towering evergreens and aspen groves creates an idyllic atmosphere. Recreational opportunities in and near Glorieta include horseback riding, golfing, hiking, fishing, biking, backpacking, and off-roading through some of the nation’s most beautiful landscapes. Glorieta also provides a quick trip to the famous white-powder slopes of Ski Santa Fe, Taos, or Angle Fire resorts.
Lamy
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
The tiny village of Lamy had its genesis as an important railroad junction. The former Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad was originally planned to run from Atchison, Kansas to Santa Fe and then on to points west. When the hills surrounding Santa Fe made the original plan impractical, civil engineers built the railway line through Lamy instead. Nearly classified as a ghost town today, this small community just 18 miles southeast of Santa Fe bears reminders of its turn-of-the-century past. Fittingly, the railroad still plays a vital part of daily life. Today’s Santa Fe Southern Railway offers a four-hour scenic roundtrip ride on a working freight train from Santa Fe to Lamy. The railway even offers a special “pleasure dome car” with elevated seats for more panoramic views.
Madrid
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
The unincorporated community of Madrid claims a rich and colorful history that dates back to the early 1800s. Through the decades, this former coal-mining town has evolved into a distinctive artists’ community. During its booming heyday, this company town was famous for its Fourth of July parade, lighted Christmas displays, and minor league baseball games in the first lighted stadium in the West. The decline of coal turned Madrid into a ghost town until the 1970s when artisans and crafts people arrived with a fresh new perspective. These talented and ambitious newcomers converted old company stores and houses into quality boutiques, galleries, and convenient services. Today, Madrid features a mining museum, an original tavern, summer melodramas, walking tours, and blues concerts at the ballpark. Current residents have also revived the historic Fourth of July parade and early December holiday celebrations.
Pecos
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
The experience of Pecos is clearly reflected in the spirit of Benedictine monks and sisters who call this area their home. The philosophy of slowing down and connecting with the serenity of nature seems to be the rule in this small community, where residents appreciate simple village life and neighbors become lifelong friends. Tucked into a panoramic river valley, Pecos provides horizon views of high mountains, colorful meadows, dramatic mesas, and sweeping plains. Pecos is ideal for those who want to hear the sound of a bird’s call or the rush of the wind through the treetops. Hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding are all common pastimes. From its ancient beginnings, Pecos has emerged as a village of family-owned lodges, restaurants, shops, and guide services.
Pojoaque, Nambe
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
Complemented by close proximity to the exceptional recreational and historic attraction of Bandelier National Monument, the Pogoaque Valley is home to predominately rural communities. Small vegetable gardens and farm animals including horses, cows, and chickens are common sights in this area where roads remain relatively narrow and typically unpaved. No billboards mar the natural beauty and the evening skies are punctuated by brilliant stars. Cottage industries and well-placed small businesses strengthen the economy yet preserve open space. The cooperative development of lovely public open spaces, recreational areas, and comfortable plazas are evidence of the mutual support enjoyed by valley residents and planners.
Santa Fe
Municipal Offices
505-955-6521
www.santafenm.gov
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
Enjoying a rarified elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, the capital city of Santa Fe is nestled in the foothills of the great Rocky Mountains. This “City Different” is well-deserving of its slogan, consistently drawing praise for its unrivaled quality of life and unique blend of appealing characteristics. Santa Fe is a study in contrasts, harmonizing world-class art, culture, historic sites, high-tech businesses, and alternative as well as traditional healing modalities. Residents enjoy easy access to some of the finest outdoor recreational sites in the nation, from famous ski resorts to acres of pristine wilderness. The Santa Fe ambiance has no comparison or equal, and the city enjoys an international reputation for its blend of cosmopolitan sophistication with the friendliness and accessibility of a small town. Traditional adobe architecture predominates in Santa Fe, enhancing the overall charm of a truly environmentally sensitive community.
Tesuque
County Offices
505-986-6200
www.co.santa-fe.nm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-988-3279
www.santafechamber.com
Derived from the Spanish variation on a Native American term, Tesuque means the “village of the narrow place of the cottonwood trees.” Tesuque is dominated by the pueblo of the same name, which is situated in the soft red-brown foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains approximately 10 miles north of Santa Fe off U.S. Highway 84-285. Evidence indicates that the pueblo in this area has been in existence since 1200 A.D. Camel Rock is the most fascinating of the natural sandstone formations in this area, which is also known for silversmiths and artisans who produce fine jewelry, pottery, paintings, and sculpture. Tribal businesses that draw many visitors to this area include a popular casino and the Tesuque Pueblo Fear Market.
