Driving thru Santa Fe in a week, pls suggest places to visit? (Peralta: live, food)

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by Towanda

That's the main reason we go to the Plaza so seldom (almost never). Parking there is ridiculous. Sometimes you have to drive around for a while. I am hoping with Elixaveth stopping there during the daytime she might get lucky and find a place.

We went there on a Thursday, mid day, and got so fed up from trying to find a spot. Headed back to ABQ and went to Old Town. LOL

[Towanda]

Things have been especially bad this fall because they have been doing renovations in the Plaza area for the 400th anniversary - I think it affected the amount of parking available.

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by Towanda

Things have been especially bad this fall because they have been doing renovations in the Plaza area for the 400th anniversary - I think it affected the amount of parking available.

I think you're right. Told hubby we will go again, but this time he can drive around while dd and I get out and window shop. :

[Towanda]

That's what I did through the years when we visited Santa Fe. I had my husband let me out at the Plaza and come back at a specified time to pick me up.

[loborick]

There are plenty of parking lots. Meters are no good because you can only park at one for two hours. Rates are low and there are three right near downtown, San Francisco St., Water St. and the Convention Center. There are also some private lots.

Finding meter parking is almost impossible. You have to be very lucky. My trick is I go downtown right before 6 PM. The loading zones are open to park after 6. I just pull right into one of those a few minutes before 6. During the day...tough.

[Lainy]

On the weekends we park in the lots of the government buildings that are about a block from the Plaza. They are totally open. By the way, I think Maria's has the best food in town!! ;-)

[Towanda]

We have been to the Plaza several times in the past week. We have never had a problem parking. Once we parked in the Public Parking lot next to St. Francis Cathedral, and twice in the parking garage at La Fonda Hotel.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Towanda

My favorite restaurant is La Choza, and it is not real far from the Plaza, and is inexpensive -- kind of hard to find so you will need a GPS or map or ask someone directions.

Ditto on La Choza - I've eaten there all three times I've been in Santa Fe, and it is awesome food. Of the many things I like, their giving you fresh sopapillas (instead of chips) is a nice touch.

It's kind of hard to find, but it is near the intersection of two of the main drags (Cerrillos and St Francis). And since both of those main drags are interstate exits, you just keep your eyes open as you're going into town - below is the link to the Google map....

la choza santa fe - Google Maps

[Elixaveth]

Ok people. . .I'm back from my trip. Had a great time in California, spent xmas with my family but one of the highlights was stopping at Santa Fe. We were on our way to California and detoured from I-40 to go up to Santa Fe. We got there when it was dark though but I didn't care. My husband was like "we are soooo moving here" he needed no convincing and my mother was like "this reminds me of Colima, Mexico". I was so nice, VERY COLD, and even though most of the shops were closed we still walked around the plaza, took pictures and picked up some "santa fe living" magazines which I look at every day. Of course our very first stop was at "La Choza" can I say OMG!!! The food, we were all like UUUUMMMM. . .what I liked the most is that it wasn't "wanna be mexican" food, I always complain about the mexican restaurants because everything is served with diced, tomatoes, rice, guacamole, sour cream and far from authentic. But I LOVED the fact that this was authentic NEW MEXICAN food, obviously with an influence or better said familiarity because of the region but very unique in other ways. We all fell in love with new mexican food. On our way back to Alabama we diced to travel I-10 to avoid the snow and we again stopped to eat dinner in Las Cruces at "el sombrero", mmmmmm I cannot say enough!

[Towanda]

Elixaveth:

Well! It sounds like the stops in NM were a success.

I am so glad you liked La Choza - I have many favorite places in the city, but that is the one restaurant that is always consistent, and the waiters there are so nice. It is a charming little adobe setting too. Did you eat posole? Had you had it before? It took me a while to acquire a taste for it -- and now I LOVE the stuff!

My favorite place to eat is in the outdoor courtyard in back, so you need to come back when it is not bitter cold and we will meet for lunch!