U.S. Route 66 in Santa Fe

Location of Santa Fe

Santa Fe is located in central New Mexico on Interstate Highway 25, about 65 miles northeast of Albuquerque. U.S. Highway 285 traverses with city in a north-south orientation. Santa Fe is the capitol city of New Mexico, and is positioned at 7,000 feet above sea level.

The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Independence, Missouri with Santa Fe.

It served as a vital commercial highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880. Santa Fe was also near the end of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro which carried trade from Mexico City.

The city was one of the larger cities on Historic Route 66 during its earlier alignments. Route 66 passed through downtown near the Plaza and the historic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel.

The historic plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe remained on the original Route 66 until 1938 when the road was rerouted on a more direct alignment from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque. So the city was on Route 66 for only about 11 years.

Early Route 66 1926 Alignment to Santa Fe

Leaving downtown Santa Rosa, Route 66 crossed the Pecos River, headed west for 17 miles, and then turned to the north. It passed through Dilia, Apache Springs and Los Montoyas on its way to Romeroville, roughly along present-day U.S. 84. At that point, Route 66 was only about 6 miles south of Las Vegas, New Mexico.

From Romeroville, Route 66 followed the corridor of the old Santa Fe Trail and the Santa Fe Railway, and passed through the villages of Tecolote, Bernal, San Jose, the railroad town of Rowe and Pecos.

The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Independence, Missouri with Santa Fe. It served as a vital commercial highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880.

Past San Jose, the Mother Road assumed an alignment roughly parallel to the railroad tracks, and climbed the 7,500 foot Glorieta Pass. At Cañoncito, the railroad diverged from the highway and continued on to Lamy.

Route 66 alignment in central New Mexico in 1926 and post-1937

Map of Route 66 through downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico

Route 66 Pre-1937 alignment sign in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico

Overlooking Route 66 in downtown Santa Fe from LaFonda on the Plaza

Route 66 Through Downtown Santa Fe

Once in Santa Fe, Route 66 traveled along the Old Santa Fe Trail, passing the San Miguel Mission and Loretto Chapel and across the Santa Fe River to the historic LaFonda on the Plaza Hotel. From there it turned west on Water Street, and then left onto Galisteo Street and Cerrillos Road southward towards Albuquerque as shown in the map above.

The old route then passed the School for the Deaf and lodging properties like the El Rey Inn. Outside of town Route 66 followed the course of the Camino Real.

Leaving Santa Fe, Route 66 was relatively flat, as it traversed the La Bajada Mesa.

About 15 miles to the south, Route 66 made the steep, 500-foot descent down the La Bajada precipice in only two miles via a series of  26 switchbacks with a 28% grade. In 1932 Route 66 was moved about three miles to the east near the current route of Interstate 25.

Switchbacks on Route 66 at La Bajada Hill between Santa Fe and Albuquerque View from the top of the mesa looking south (left) and from the bottom looking north (right)

The original Route 66 continued through downtown Santa Fe until 1938 when the road was moved to a shorter route from Santa Rosa to Clines Corners to Albuquerque.

Things to Do in Santa Fe

A must-see attraction in downtown Santa Fe ... the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

The Plaza, the epicenter of downtown Santa Fe, and the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied government building in the United States, were built in 1609 and 1610, respectively.

Native American artisans from New Mexico's 22 pueblos and tribes still sell jewelry beneath the Palace’s long portal, as they have for hundreds of years.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is a dominant landmark in the downtown area, and a must-not-miss attraction for visitors.

Nearby things to see include Loretto Chapel, the New Mexico State Capitol building, and the New Mexico Museum of Art.

A popular stop for residents and visitors alike is the Santa Fe Opera, just north of the city. Be sure to also explore the artistic Canyon Road, the Midtown Innovation District, the vibrant Southside and the hip Railyard-Guadalupe district.

On Upper Canyon Road, the Randall Davey Audubon Center and the Nature Conservancy’s Santa Fe Canyon Preserve span 325 acres that rise through four eco-zones, from brushy cottonwood and willow to Ponderosa pine forest.

 

Museum Hill features four of the finest destinations in the area, including the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.

The historic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel

Just a short drive up the mountain, Ski Santa Fe features seven lifts, 74 trails, a snowsports school and a children’s center. With one of the highest elevations in the country, Ski Santa Fe is also popular with snowboarders.

Santa Fe Lodging Options

Lodging options in Santa Fe are plentiful. There are over 60 hotels, 35 bed & breakfasts, 23 units of specialty lodging, spas, and dozens of vacation rentals to meet any travel need and desire.

During our many trips to Santa Fe over the years, we have stayed at the El Rey located at 1862 Cerrillos Road. It was built in 1936 on Historic Route 66, and remains today an icon in Santa Fe. Features include 86 unique rooms and suites, each individually decorated.

We have also stayed at La Fonda on the Plaza, adjacent to the Plaza, and it has become one of our favorite lodging choices in Santa Fe. The suite by the Bell Tower on the top floor is highly recommended, with spacious rooms and panoramic views of the downtown area.

La Fonda is located next to the Plaza and the Cathedral, at 100 East San Francisco Street. Phone 800.523.5002. Parking is available in the covered, gated La Fonda Parking Garage.

Another choice about two blocks from the Plaza is the Inn on the Alameda. It offers various rooms, suites and casitas located in easy walking distance to downtown. Located at 303 East Alameda. Free parking.

If you are staying north of Santa Fe, and also visiting Taos, one option is the Abiquiu Inn.

And there are many more inns, B&Bs and vacation rentals scattered in every direction from Santa Fe!

La Fonda on the Plaza Inn on the Alameda Inn of the Five Graces Drury Plaza Hotel - Reviews & reservations Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi Inn of the Governors Inn and Spa at Loretto Abiquiu Inn

View all hotels in Santa Fe, read traveler reviews and make reservations   Santa Fe B&Bs Vacation Rentals in Santa Fe

 

Inn on the Alameda

The El Rey Inn

Dining Options in Santa Fe

The Palacio Cafe in downtown Santa Fe on East Palace Avenue

There are nearly 400 restaurants and dining options available serving a large variety of cuisines in Santa Fe.

During our many trips to Santa Fe over the years, we have enjoyed many, consistent dining experiences:

Read all Santa Fe restaurant reviews at TripAdvisor

 

La Plazuela in the La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel

Palacio Cafe on East Palace Avenue near the Cathedral

Mucho Gusto - 839 Paseo de Peralta, Suite H, near Inn on the Alameda

Cafe Pasqual's - 121 Don Gaspar Avenue

Harry's Roadhouse - 96 Old Las Vegas Highway

Pantry Restaurant - 1820 Cerrillos Road

Tortilla Flats - 3139 Cerrillos Road

Every trip to Santa Fe includes at least one dining experience at the La Plazuela restaurant in the hotel. Be sure to ask for guacamole to be custom made at your table! And after a day sightseeing, we always stop at the La Fiesta lounge for cold margaritas and snacks; it is adjacent to the lobby on the first floor.

La Plazuela Restaurant in Santa Fe The La Plazuela is a personal favorite and we dine every time we are traveling through Santa Fe on Route 66. The atmosphere and service is always superb ... and also the margaritas and guacamole made at your table! It is located in the historic LaFonda on the Plaza. Website of LaFonda on the Plaza and the La Plazuela Restaurant

 

Scenes Around Santa Fe

Palace of Governors Situated on the north side of the historic Santa Fe Plaza, the Palace of the Governors is a beloved icon, complex symbol, and anchor for the New Mexico History Museum. Dating back to 1610, the Palace is the oldest public building in continuous use constructed by European settlers in the continental United States. For more information, visit the website of the New Mexico History Museum

 

San Miguel Church San Miguel Church is the oldest church structure in the United States. The original adobe wall and altar were built by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico under the direction of Franciscan Padres, circa 1610. It continues to be an active faith community today. Visitors are welcome. It is located at 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe NM, 87501 For more information visit the website of the San Miguel Chapel

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

New Mexico State Capitol building

Loretto Chapel The Loretto Chapel is a former Roman Catholic church that is now used as a museum and a wedding chapel. It is known for its unusual helix-shaped spiral staircase. The name and origin of the builder have still not been verified. Located at 207 Old Santa Fe Trail. Phone 505.982.0092 for opening hours and more information. Website of the Loretto Chapel

Ski Santa Fe Ski Santa Fe has a base elevation of 10,350 feet, and is located only 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe. In addition to multiple trails, it offers other facilities such as a sports shop, rental shop, food court, gourmet coffee bar and lodge. Phone 505.982.4429 or visit their website for hours of operation, season dates, snow reports, lift tickets and more information. Located at the top of the mountain at the end of New Mexico State Highway 475 overlooking Santa Fe. Website of Ski Santa Fe

Road Trips Outside Santa Fe

The Ghost Ranch near Santa Fe

We love shopping and exploring the museums in downtown Santa Fe, but sometimes it can be crowded.

And the traffic on the narrow streets can get congested. So we head out of town, on one of many road trips around the area, like to Lamy where today the Amtrak trains stop.

Day trips are a great way to see more of Historic Route 66. Head south towards Albuquerque, or back east towards Glorieta Pass and explore the remnants of those old alignments.

Heading north of town, we enjoy quick trips to the Ghost Ranch, and sometimes up to Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument.

And the road up to Ski Santa Fe is an easy drive, but sometimes through quickly changing weather conditions! Cloudy at the bottom, snow at the top!

A popular trip to the south is along the Turquoise Trail, and its small, quaint towns of Madras and Los Cerrillos. Shopping and dining along the trail is a popular pastime.

Railroad crossing south of Santa Fe

 

To the north is the High Road to Taos, on small quiet roads through the rolling hills of the New Mexico countryside. The road passes through small villages including Chimayo, Cordova and Truchas.

Interactive Map of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Area

Earlier Times: Vintage Views of Santa Fe

We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Santa Fe and Route 66. What was Santa Fe like in its earlier years, as visitors drove around the city? What did all the service stations, motels and public buildings look like when they were new? What did the traveling public experience as they toured the historic city? We wonder such things when we travel Route 66 today. Those earlier times in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were not always captured on film. But the use of colorful postcards was common in those decades. These portray scenes that help us to visualize, and appreciate, "earlier times" as we drive Route 66 today around Santa Fe.

La Paz Courts Scotts Hacienda Court Court House in Santa Fe Kings Rest Court The Historic Plaza The Westerner State Museum Alamo Lodge De Vargas Hotel

 

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