I have never been to Santa Fe and I have a niggling little voice telling me to check it out. I usually leave my 3 little kids and DH at home in Chicago for a weekend every Spring to go have a weekend away for myself to recharge my....everything!
Last year, I went to Sedona and just loved it. I am very interested in natural beauty, yoga, art, music, exploring outdoors as much as possible, meditation, spiritual journeys that leave me refreshed and renewed, and oh yeah- great food and spa services.
I am sure these two cities are very different but something tells me they may have similar ';vibes';. Is this correct?
Any words of wisdom from someone who knows both places would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help.
SF or Sedona?
These two cities are quite different in many ways but similar in many ways.
For one, Santa Fe is much larger and as overly commercialized as Sedona has become, Santa Fe is even more so. The population is much more diverse here and as affluent as parts of Santa Fe are, not nearly as monied as much of Sedona is.
The diversity of outdoor opportunities is greater here and as gorgeous as I find Sedona, every visit there leaves me wishing they would have just made the canyon a damn national park in order to slow down some of the unfettered growth.
There are no shortages here of open spaces with few crowds and plenty of easy access to commune with nature and hear the wind blow without distraction.
Lots of spas, yoga studios, meditative centers, etc... here without the overt and just my humble opinion but revulsion producing, over the top, faux riche ';woo-wooness'; found in Sedona. Much more down to earth, real vibe here.
I guess I have to admit my bias as a former, very blue collar background, but sensitive, creative, Chicagoan artist, now local innkeeper, the whole ';crystal rubbing to find salvation'; movement in Sedona has always turned me off, whereas, while that type of vibe exists here, it isn%26#39;t nearly as in your face or dominant.
I%26#39;ve been impressed with the general sincerity, friendly, live and let live, expansive world view, mindset of the average Santa Fean since the first time I set foot in town on a vacation over 10 years ago. Been living and running a business here now for over 5 years and that opinion hasn%26#39;t changed one bit.
The dining scene here is quite diverse as well and nearly every taste, dietary preference, etc.. can be satiated.
Our art scene is also quite broad and vibrant.
I hope any of this is of value and you find what you%26#39;re looking for.
SF or Sedona?
Come visit us here in Santa Fe. Quite a different place from Sedona, yet even more wonderful.
Stay near the Plaza. See some incredible museums. Visit 10000 Waves Spa. Shop on Canyon Road. Drive up toward the Ski Basin. Visit Bandalier and/or Pecos Nat Monuments.
Dine on some awesome food all over town.
Alternative health and healing is popular here and yoga happens even in our high schools.
Visit www.santafe.org for plenty of info.
A nice and inexpensive place to stay near the Plaza is Inn of the Governors.
Santa Fe historically is a very old senorita, but she has a young and fiery heart. You can see so much, in such a small area just by walking about the central Historic District. You would want a rental car from Albuquerque International Sunport however. You might enjoy the ';Turquoise Trail,'; the backroad between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM-14.
If you (hopefully) have more time than just a weekend...try to take in Taos, and Taos Pueblo also. The area%26#39;s natural beauty, and spirituality is certainly on a par with Sedona%26#39;s.
Santa Fe historically is a very old senorita, but she has a young and fiery heart. You can see so much, in such a small area just by walking about the central Historic District. You would want a rental car from Albuquerque International Sunport however. You might enjoy the ';Turquoise Trail,'; the backroad between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM-14.
If you (hopefully) have more time than just a weekend...try to take in Taos, and Taos Pueblo also. The area%26#39;s natural beauty, and spirituality is certainly on a par with Sedona%26#39;s.
OP here:
Wow, thank you so much for your great responses. Lots of sound opinions and helpful information.
Another question about weather, if you don%26#39;t mind: I%26#39;m thinking of coming in February -my least favorite month of the year in Chicago. I saw an average high of 40 degress for February in SF--is that accurate? Is it warm enough to go on hikes and walks comfortably?
It%26#39;ll probably seem balmy in comparison from where I%26#39;m coming from! Just want to make sure I%26#39;ll be able to take advantage of all your beautiful city has to offer.
Thanks again, Violynn
Some days it is warm enough to hike, other days it can be snowy and cold. Usually weather is nice enough to walk around town. Right now most of the hiking trails have snow on them.http://www.tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i17902-Santa_Fe_Northern_New_Mexico_Restaurants.html
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