Santa Fe

[claassenam]

We are driving cross country related to a move and decided to stop in Santa Fe for two nights in May. We'll have two dogs with us. I have booked us at Hotel Santa Fe, which allows pets and sounds like it is in a pretty good location downtown. We are excited to finally spend some time there!

The trouble is, we're really not allowed to leave the dogs in the hotel room. We're going to probably have to walk or drive around with them to sightsee (I'm not opposed to leaving them in the car for a couple hours at a time if the weather is cool) - do you have suggestions for what we should do with our time there? Probably really only one afternoon/evening plus one full day to sightsee. Any restaurant recommendations? Is it worth the drive into Taos if we just have a day there?

Also, any other hotel suggestions? I'm not locked into Hotel Santa Fe, but need a dog friendly hotel of course, and hopefully not more than $200/night....

[marolyn]

You will want more than one day in Santa Fe...but I understand your haste in moving. Hotel Santa Fe is a wonderful property within walking distance to the Plaza and its museums and jewelry (read Indian turquoise pieces) stores and to the Guadaloupe neighborhood with interesting shops and restaurants. My favorite thing to do is just walk through town and follow all the interesting sites and side streets. Your dogs will enjoy going with you. For food, I recommend Santa Cafe on Washington Street, just north out of the Plaza. The Plazuela in the Hotel La Fonda is also unique,,,a great place for breakfast or brunch.
I recommend staying in town for your day. Taos is nearby and is special but would eat up a good bit of time in driving. Instead, book a soak and massage at Ten Thousand Waves and relax. Enjoy the special light and the crispness of the air and just soak up Santa Fe. I hope you have a safe journey. Let us know about your trip and when you plan to go back for a longer visit...just guessing you will love it because I've been addicted to Santa Fe for years. Cheers...Marolyn

[claassenam]

Marolyn,

Thanks so much for the great tips! It sounds like exactly what we are looking for - a laid-back little city that is easily walkable, so we can take our furry friends with us at least for some nice walks. Thanks also for the restaurant recommendations. I wish I had more time, but we're also eager to get back to California.

Anyone else with any suggestions, please let me know.



Message Edited by claassenam on 04-19-200703:00 PM

[Carolina888]

Hi, My husband and I lived in Santa fe for three years with our Border Collie - Shepherd mix. I have a few suggestions for things to do WITH your dogs and things to do without them!

With the dogs: Drive up Canyon Road (a must see) and at the end of Canyon Road, turn right and then take the next road to the left which is called Upper Canyon Road. Drive the length of Upper canyon Road which is lovely. At the end, the road turns sharply to the left and right there on your right is a Reservoir. Park in the parking lot and take your dogs on the path. You'll see other people with dogs. It's a beautiful spot. Across the road from the reservoir parking lot, you'll see little trails and these take you to a beautiful path along water in the land between Upper Canyon Road and Serro Gordo Road.
Also there is a nice dog park with pretty views of Santa Fe. It is off Saint Francis to the left if you are going toward Tesuque, not toward the interstate. You'd have to ask someone for directions but your dogs could really run there.

Without the dogs: Board the dogs for four hours at a boarding place or with someone and drive to Tesuque via Bishops lodge Road. It is an incredibly lovely winding country road. Just before you reach the village of esuque, look for "Shidoni", a world famous bronze foundry with a sculpture garden and gift shop. On Saturdays you can observe the bronze pour. In Tesuque half a mile from the foundry there is a nice cafe with excellent green chile fries.

Best Breakfast: Guadalupe Cafe near the Roundhouse, off Paseo De Peralta. Long wait (sometimes) but to die for! Don't ask for the green or red chile on the side because they won't put it on the side. The green chile is great. My husband loves the red.
Best Mexican: Maria's on Cordova
Best World Class restaurant like you'd find on Nantucket or NYC: Geronimo on Canyon Road.

Hope this helps!

Carolina

[alisan]

You've picked a great hotel. It's a little confusing to get to until you get there! You'll wonder why you never noticed it. Beautiful grounds, lovely rooms, delicious breakfast and courteous attendants. The walk to the Paseo will take you ten minutes. In fact, once my husband and I parked the car, we didn't move it for the whole time we were there, except when we drove out to Shidoni. Be sure to catch at least one dinner at La Boca on Marcy (I believe). The food is fabulous, all little plates, tapas style, with a chef who also teaches at the Santa Fe Cooking School. Have the hotel concierge make a reservation for you. And directly across the street from the hotel is the Sage Bakery - a great place for breakfast or lunch. Their home-made bread is to die for. Speaking about the cooking school, if you're foodies, it's really a great activity. On the plaza, you'll go upstairs to the school, spend about 3 hours learning how to make about four great dishes southwest style, then enjoy the results of the cook's efforts! Last note, be sure to take the other writer's suggestion and head for Shidoni, dogs or no dogs -- it's a magical place to wander around and take in the artistic vibe. Nice drive through the canyon as well. Have a great time!

[NowBoarding]

We recently stayed at Hotel Plaza Real just off the Plaza next to Inn of the Anasazi. HPR is a dog-friendly property and you are allowed to leave your dog in the room. We just left the "do not disturb" card in our door so the housekeeper wouldn't be startled. Reasonable rates as well.

Many outdoor cafes will allow you to have your dog such as The Shed, which I highly recommend for New Mexican cuisine and a "must-stop" in Santa Fe. Many allowed us to bring our dog in the stores as well so hopefully your dog will not interfere with your plans too much.

I, too, would not recommend going to Taos with only one day in Santa Fe.

Top Restaurant Recommendations:

Geronimo - Fine dining. Is still excellent without Chef Eric DiStefano. Reservations needed.
Bistro 315 - quaint French restaurant with excellent food
Santa Cafe - gets good reviews but has been hit or miss for us
La Boca -- Highly recommend this Spanish restaurant. Reservations needed.

Casual Dining:
Cafe Pasqual's - known for its big breakfasts but lunch and dinner are the superstars.
Tia Sophia's -- local New Mexican fare. Excellent and affordable. If a there is a line it goes quickly.
*The Shed -- dog-friendly patio. I can't imaging a trip to Santa Fe without a visit to The Shed.
Pink Adobe -- new owners have brought back this great, old restaurant. Check out the Dragon Room bar, too.

Hope this helps. If you haven't checked out www.fodors.com/forums, enter Santa Fe in the US search box, and you should find a lot of helpful info.

Hope that helps.

[mindyprager]

I am also doing a cross country trip with my dog. Could you tell me your itinerary?

[flypeachtree]

Reviving an old thread but you should check out the Loretto Chapel. Very beautiful and an interesting story behind it.

[hofmatt]

Just got back from a trip to Santa Fe and we travel with our dog. We stayed in town at the Eldorado (Luxury Link) Hotel and Spa. The hotel is pet-friendly and charged us a $50 pet fee for the entire stay. We were allowed to leave our dog unattended in the room.

[fleetersamuelli]

you I cannot remember how far away zion national park is, but you should consider trying to visit if you can. Its really one of a kind.