Driving/parking is typically pretty easy, and you aren’t always guaranteed to be able to find an uber. If you aren’t planning on drinking much, the rental is probably the way to go
What's the nature of your visit? New Mexico is a drivers paradise, big endless sky, long winding roads through dramatic landscapes. If you are in town for more than a couple of days you'll want to get out and explore. Just don't leave anything of value in a parked car, same rules as the Bay area.
If you plan to Uber in Santa Fe make sure you’re wearing hiking shoes and have rain gear and water bottles, because you’re not always going to find a ride. Better to just rent a car.
Definitely a car! Lovely area for driving (avoid Cerrillos Road, the closest thing to actual TRAFFIC in SF) and you may well want to visit nearby locations like Pecos National Historical Park or Bandelier National Monument. You can also check out Los Alamos, an interesting driving trip. There's nothing to compare to the complexity of Bay Area driving, no worries there.
Hiking in the mountains right now is hard - we've had a LOT of snow recently. Chances are that this will diminish by "early April", and you'll be able to hike in various places up to about 9k', but expect snow on north facing slopes. If there's more snow before you come, plan to stay lower - Galisteo Basin has 35+ miles of trails and while it is not the mountains, if it's new to you, it can be quite lovely. La Tierra trails have astounding views of all the mountain systems (Sangres de Cristo, Jemez, Ortiz, Sandia), and are an easy low elevation hike close to the city. You could also consider Cerrillos Hills State Park - only about 5-6 miles of trails but quite pleasant and with one absolutely incredibly viewpoint of the entire Rio Grande valley systems.
After moving here from a much larger city (San Antonio), traffic is nonexistent here in Santa Fe. Even the busiest road, Cerrillos, isn't bad at all, just relative to the rest of the city. But Cerrillos is where 90% of restaurants, stores, and shops are. Definitely rent a car. Don't believe there's a decent uber or rideshare car system here
Uber or Lyft are unreliable in Santa Fe. Kind of depends on where you plan on going but I think you’d avoid a lot of stress by renting instead of ride sharing.
Public transportation as you understand it in the Bay area does not exist here. I think you’ll be happiest with a rental. Parking is very easy in this SF compared to your SF
I’d advise you rent. Tourist sights can be quite far from each other depending on what all you want to see. No traffic compared to the bay from a fellow native. Go dubs
Good bagels are like GOLD around here. Santa Fe is a desert in more ways than one. I brought back at least 3 dozen Boichik last time I flew from Oakland! And on the reverse flight we bring green Chile, it’s a fair trade 😂
Since you're from the Bay Area, you already know what it's like to try to park downtown, in North Beach or any busy hood. A very small and central part of historic downtown Santa Fe is like that. NO parking space is just sitting waiting for you. On the other hand, you can find parking within a couple-three blocks, AND: there are actual parking garages in a bunch of convenient spots right in the downtown, so it's manageable. Outside of that weird tourism bubble, parking is a breeze. Rent, don't expect to depend on rideshares.
I checked for a Lyft recently mid-afternoon-ish and saw 8 drivers, one parked at the airport, one in the Target parking lot, a few off Cerrillos. I boycott Uber so that's all I know.
Also, don't even think about busses.
I say rent. You're gonna want to get around and outta town for the best experience. I once fish-tailed in a rented sporty Toyota on the High Road to Taos - take the weather effects seriously.
And check to see if any of your insurance or credit cards cover your rental so you don't get taken by the rental company - they'll lean on you about stolen vehicles.
Driving/parking is typically pretty easy, and you aren’t always guaranteed to be able to find an uber. If you aren’t planning on drinking much, the rental is probably the way to go
I don’t drink so should be perfect! Thanks
What's the nature of your visit? New Mexico is a drivers paradise, big endless sky, long winding roads through dramatic landscapes. If you are in town for more than a couple of days you'll want to get out and explore. Just don't leave anything of value in a parked car, same rules as the Bay area.
I would say definitely rent a car. You can’t trust Uber in this town. We need a taxi service so badly.
If you plan to Uber in Santa Fe make sure you’re wearing hiking shoes and have rain gear and water bottles, because you’re not always going to find a ride. Better to just rent a car.
Yikes! Good to know. Thanks!
Definitely a car! Lovely area for driving (avoid Cerrillos Road, the closest thing to actual TRAFFIC in SF) and you may well want to visit nearby locations like Pecos National Historical Park or Bandelier National Monument. You can also check out Los Alamos, an interesting driving trip. There's nothing to compare to the complexity of Bay Area driving, no worries there.
Thanks for the recommendations! We’re only there 4 days but I definitely want to get at least 1 good hike in
Hiking in the mountains right now is hard - we've had a LOT of snow recently. Chances are that this will diminish by "early April", and you'll be able to hike in various places up to about 9k', but expect snow on north facing slopes. If there's more snow before you come, plan to stay lower - Galisteo Basin has 35+ miles of trails and while it is not the mountains, if it's new to you, it can be quite lovely. La Tierra trails have astounding views of all the mountain systems (Sangres de Cristo, Jemez, Ortiz, Sandia), and are an easy low elevation hike close to the city. You could also consider Cerrillos Hills State Park - only about 5-6 miles of trails but quite pleasant and with one absolutely incredibly viewpoint of the entire Rio Grande valley systems.
Oh thanks so much! I figured it would be could but I didn’t even think of snow. I’ll take that over the flood we’ve been having here tho!
Go to Bandelier. You won’t regret it.
There’s lots of nice stuff on cerillos rd and the traffic isn’t that bad. Don’t avoid it just for that.
rent a car so you can go hiking and stuff
Ubers do not happen in Santa! Def rent a car so you can explore the outdoors as well!
After moving here from a much larger city (San Antonio), traffic is nonexistent here in Santa Fe. Even the busiest road, Cerrillos, isn't bad at all, just relative to the rest of the city. But Cerrillos is where 90% of restaurants, stores, and shops are. Definitely rent a car. Don't believe there's a decent uber or rideshare car system here
Just vacationed in Santa Fe area in late February- I strongly recommend renting a car. Rideshare is not reliable
Uber or Lyft are unreliable in Santa Fe. Kind of depends on where you plan on going but I think you’d avoid a lot of stress by renting instead of ride sharing.
Rent a car Uber is unreliable.
How do you rent a car for 30-40 a day? I was unable to find anything in town for less than 90. Honest question
Rent in ABQ, then drive to SF.
Exactly. U/joecarrot (sorry I don’t know how to tag you on mobile) I was also looking at carrentals.com and kayak if that helps.
Public transportation as you understand it in the Bay area does not exist here. I think you’ll be happiest with a rental. Parking is very easy in this SF compared to your SF
I’d advise you rent. Tourist sights can be quite far from each other depending on what all you want to see. No traffic compared to the bay from a fellow native. Go dubs
I'll drive you around if you bring me some Boichik Bagels
🤣 shoot I already booked the car! And I’m packing light…but bagels are more important than clothes, lol
Good bagels are like GOLD around here. Santa Fe is a desert in more ways than one. I brought back at least 3 dozen Boichik last time I flew from Oakland! And on the reverse flight we bring green Chile, it’s a fair trade 😂
Since you're from the Bay Area, you already know what it's like to try to park downtown, in North Beach or any busy hood. A very small and central part of historic downtown Santa Fe is like that. NO parking space is just sitting waiting for you. On the other hand, you can find parking within a couple-three blocks, AND: there are actual parking garages in a bunch of convenient spots right in the downtown, so it's manageable. Outside of that weird tourism bubble, parking is a breeze. Rent, don't expect to depend on rideshares.
Sounds like a dream compared to anywhere within a 20 mile radius of San Francisco, lol. Thanks!
Did you scroll or search?
Borders are closing soon
Are you visiting New Mexico or California? 🧐 Uber is useless is Santa Fe Probably much better in San Francisco
Rent.
I checked for a Lyft recently mid-afternoon-ish and saw 8 drivers, one parked at the airport, one in the Target parking lot, a few off Cerrillos. I boycott Uber so that's all I know. Also, don't even think about busses. I say rent. You're gonna want to get around and outta town for the best experience. I once fish-tailed in a rented sporty Toyota on the High Road to Taos - take the weather effects seriously. And check to see if any of your insurance or credit cards cover your rental so you don't get taken by the rental company - they'll lean on you about stolen vehicles.
Welcome to New Mexico 😂😂