This Week, In Santa Fe
Take advantage of all the City Different has to offer!
Beautiful downtown Santa Fe
Surrounded by Art
Santa Fe is home to more artists per capita than any city in the U.S. These are some of our favorite artistic endeavors.
ART Santa Fe, July 12-15, 2018
ART Santa Fe
Art Santa Fe, a gathering of exceptional artists and galleries from around the world, celebrates 18 successful years in 2018. From July 12–15, 2018, an exploration of world-class modern and contemporary art in a locale that overflows with natural beauty, cultural history, and a deep appreciation for the arts.
Museum Hill in Santa Fe
Museum Hill
Four world-class museums presenting the art, history, and culture of the Native American Southwest, the Spanish colonial past, and folk traditions from around the world.
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is an explorable, immersive art installation filled with technology, and fantastic environments to inspire visitors of all ages. The wildly imaginative art space is a collaboration of over 100 local artists and is a unique combination of children’s museum, art gallery, jungle gym, and fantasy novel.
Lounge by the Jacona Pool
One of our favorite parts of the Jacona experience. The pool is heated, and is generally open May 15 until either cold weather or falling leaves make it impossible to keep clean. It is available 24 hours per day, but note that it has no lifeguard.
Host Your Event On the Lawn By the Pool
Open May to October
Jacona Day Trips
Ready to explore? Hop in the car for these easy day trips.
Pueblo Dwellings at Bandelier
Bandelier National Monument
The monument preserves the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans of a later era in the Southwest. Most of the pueblo structures date to two eras, dating between 1150 and 1600 AD.
The Monument is 50 square miles (130 km2) of the Pajarito Plateau, on the slopes of the Jemez Volcanic field in the Jemez Mountains. Over 70% of the Monument is wilderness, with over one mile elevation change, from about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) along the Rio Grande to over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) at the peak of Cerro Grande on the rim of the Valles Caldera, providing for a wide range of life zones and wildlife habitats. There are three miles of road, and more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The Monument protects Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, a diverse and scenic landscape, and the country's largest National Park Service Civilian Conservation Corps National Landmark District.
Downtown Taos
Beautiful Taos
Many people staying at Rancho Jacona enjoy spending a day seeing Taos and the country between here and there. There are two routes, one, the high road through several picturesque mountain villages; the other the low road through the gorge of the Rio Grande. We suggest going the high route—taking your time—and returning the low route, equally dramatic but quicker at the end of the day. You can obtain a map at the Rancho Jacona office that lists the roadways taking you to Taos via the villages of Chimayo, on up the mountain to Truchas, over the mountain to Penasco, then down the other side to Ranchos de Taos.
Sacred Heart Church, Nambe Pueblo
Indian Pueblos
American Indians inhabited New Mexico long before Spanish contact in the 1500s, and their timeless cultures, traditions, arts and beliefs continue to enrich the state today.
There are 19 pueblos located around the state, including the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos north of Santa Fe. In addition three other Native American groups reside in New Mexico.
O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch House
Georgia O'Keeffe Country
Leave Rancho Jacona by driving west on 502, turn north onto New Mexico 30N, toward Santa Clara.On your right you will pass the Black Mesa (A Black Mesa, of which there seem to be at least a dozen in the state. This one is sacred to the San Ildefonso people.) You will go through the Santa Clara Pueblo on your way north. Santa Clara is famous for its pottery. Many of the potters have signs along the road if you want to drop in to shop. Genuine Pueblo pottery is expensive, though the return per hour of labor is rather low. Indian potters do not “buy” their clay, they dig it.
The Steamy Waters of Ojo Caliente
Ojo Caliente Hot Springs
Located in the foothills of the Carson National Forest, in the town of Ojo Caliente, between Santa Fe and Taos. Five different springs with different temperatures and mineral content. Indoor and outdoor pools with temperatures ranging from 85-106F.
Tent Rocks National Monument
Tent Rocks
Tent Rocks National Monument is cool...
Many of our guests have described Tent Rocks as a “must see” when they visit the area. For photographers, it is visually appealing.
A portion of the five-mile access road to the national monument crosses Pueblo de Cochiti tribal land. Along with the pueblo, neighbors in the vicinity include the Santo Domingo Indians, the Jemez Indians,and the Santa Fe National Forest.
Buen Provecho
Santa Fe is one of the culinary capitals of the world. These are a few of our favorite restaurants.
Rooftop Cantina at Coyote Cafe
Coyote Cafe
"Had the very best dinner! We sat at the bar and we're lucky enough to have Abraham as the bartender. This man hustled and we didn't want for anything. My husband I shared the scallop appetizer and Caesar salad. Both outstanding! We also shared the 28 oz Cowboy Cut ribeye. Cooked to total perfection and we couldn't come close to finishing the meal. A must if you are in Santa Fe!"
- Barb J, on TripAdvisor
Sidewalk Seating at the Palacio Cafe
Palacio Cafe
"My spouse and I had lunch here on September 11th. We each had the burrito (with beef and beans). Flavorful beyond belief. It seemed a little sparse on the beef, but made up for it in overall flavor of the beans. Best beans I have ever had in a burrito. The lady who I think was the owner came over to remove the plates when we were finished. I asked her about the beans; were they prepared from scratch, or ?. Dumb question ha ha. She said they made everything from scratch, starting with preparing the beans in a very large pot. Whatever they are doing, they know their trade. The place is cozy; not large and "fancy". We really enjoyed the Palacio Cafe!!"
- traveler622015, on TripAdvisor
The Bustling Tomasita's
Tomasita's
"Great place! Excellent food and service, nice surroundings, easy to find. What more could a tourist want? We ate here while on a three-week tour of the South and West US and this was one of the highlights. We even noted that perhaps we should have stayed at least a day longer just so that we could go to Tomasita's again. Needless to say - we recommend this place."
- Craig F, on TripAdvisor
Outdoor Sports
There are few places in the country with as much access to phenomenal outdoor sports as Santa Fe. Whether you are a skiier, boarder, biker, hiker, or all-around outdoor enthusiast, you can do it all within a short drive from Rancho Jacona.
Big Air at Ski Santa Fe
Ski Santa Fe
"Only 25 mins from downtown Santa Fe, it can seem like your personal ski resort on the weekdays. Green and blue ski runs are well groomed, and there are many tree runs, and some quite tough black diamond runs as well. Restaurant is mid-mountain very close to the upper terrain lifts. Staff is super-friendly, and lifts rarely have a line. Tops out at 12,000ft, so the snow stays late into the season."
- brooksb333, on TripAdvisor
Trail Running at Dale Ball
Dale Ball Trails
"These trails are very popular and well used. Clearly marked for hikers of all abilities. These very pleasant hikes are occasionally marred by inconsiderate dog owners who don't obey leash or pickup requirements. Easy to reach for visitors to santa fe as well as residents. Just use Hyde Park Road access near town."
- Elliot S, on TripAdvisor
Running the Rapids
Santa Fe Rafting Company
"A must to do when in Santa Fe! It was safe, very fun and don't be afraid to get wet. John was our guide and made the trip the most fun of all. He has the perfect personality for doing what he does. I cannot stress enough to just DO IT!!!"
- Perry R, on TripAdvisor