Welcome to the Inn of the Turquoise Bear!

• 315 Restaurant – Located at the Plaza, 0.4 miles from the Inn, French Cuisine
  Romantic French eatery with seasonal fare, vast wine list & twinkling white lights. Close walk!
• Andiamo! – Located at the Railyard, 0.8 miles from the Inn, Italian Cuisine
  Buzzy Italian trattoria near the railyard in an atmospheric old home.
• Bull Ring Steakhouse – Located at the Plaza, 0.8 miles from the Inn, Steakhouse
  Classic dimly-lit old-time steakhouse. Ala Carte sides and seafood. Hey is that Frank Sinatra?
• Cafe Pasqual’s – Located at the Plaza, 0.7 miles from the Inn, Mexican Cuisine
  Colorful, Santa Fe Classic with innovative Mexican fare.
• Casa Chimayo – Located at the Plaza, 1 mile from the Inn, New Mexican Cuisine
  Traditional New Mexican dishes served in a vibrant, funky, old adobe with great patio.
• Del Charro Saloon – Located at the Plaza, 0.6 miles from the Inn, Southwestern Cuisine. Lively, Rustic, Western-themed watering hole serving Tex Mex grub, margaritas & cocktails.
• Geronimo – Located at Canyon Road, 0.9 miles from the Inn, Fine Dining
  Eclectic fine-dining elegant, minimalist decor in a circa-1756 adobe home
• Horno – Located at the Plaza, 0.9 miles from the Inn, a creative but casual restaurant with a gastropub style menu in a fine dining setting.
• Izanami – Located at Out & About, 4.7 miles from the Inn, Japanese Cuisine
  Japanese, Izakaya dining serving inspired small plates & Sake in Tatami room.
• Jambo Cafe – Located at Out & About, 3.1 miles from the Inn, African Cuisine
  African homestyle fare like jerk chicken, soups, & wraps in casual, colorful digs.
• Joseph’s – Located at the Railyard, 1 mile from the Inn, New American Cuisine
  Innovative New American fare served in warm eclectic farmhouse setting.
• La Boca – Located at the Plaza, 0.9 miles from the Inn, Spanish Tapas
  Distinctive Spanish Tapas & carefully curated Mediterranean wine & sherries.
• La Choza – Located at the Railyard, 1.2 miles from the Inn, New Mexican Cuisine
  Casual, local favorite for New Mexican fare & margaritas.
• Market Steer Steakhouse – Located at the Plaza, 0.7 miles from the Inn, Steakhouse
  Rowdy, fun, classic steak house and bar. Traditional steaks and innovative sides.
• The Pantry – Located at the Plaza, 0.7 miles from the Inn, New Mexican
  Santa Fe’s gold standard for New Mexican for 75 years.  New Plaza area location.
• Paper Dosa – Located at Out & About, 1.2 miles from the Inn, Southern Indian Cuisine. Stylish, casual, warm, artful vibe and South Indian fare, wine & beer.
• Pink Adobe – Located at the Plaza, 0.4 miles from the Inn, New Mexican Cuisine
  New Mexican eats in eclectic, 350-year-old pink adobe. Great patio! Close Walk.
• Plaza Café Southside – Located at Out & About, 5.6 miles from the Inn, American Cuisine. Modern day diner serving homey American & Southwestern dishes, including all-day breakfast.
• Radish & Rye – Located at the Railyard, 0.7 miles from the Inn, New American Cuisine. Edgy space with refined, locally sourced New American plates & huge whiskey selection.
• Restaurant Martin – Located at the Railyard, 0.6 miles from the Inn, Fine Dining
  Refined, fine-dining, modern American food in a contemporary, arty space and garden patio.
• Rio Chama – Located at the Plaza, 0.4 miles from the Inn, American Cuisine
  Comfortable, adobe dining for prime rib, salads, & more. A popular bar & happy hour. Close walk!
• SantaCafe – Located at the Plaza, 1 mile from the Inn, New American Cuisine
  Upscale Southwestern regional fare in 4 minimalist adobe dining rooms & patio.
• Sazón – Located at the Plaza, 0.6 miles from the Inn, Fine Dining. Elevated Latin American cuisine & specialty cocktails in artsy Mexican space. Think Moles & Mezcal!
• Terra Cotta – Located at the Plaza, 1 mile from the Inn, Bistro. Upbeat, colorful bistro for creative New American dishes & a large selection of wines by the glass.
• The Shed – Located at the Plaza, 0.8 miles from the Inn, New Mexican Cuisine
  Classic go-to for Southwestern fare housed in a circa-1692 hacienda with a cantina-style bar.
• Vinaigrette – Located at the Railyard, 0.8 miles from the Inn, Salad Bistro
  Design-your-own salads, plus soup & sandwiches, served in vibrant, modern, colorful space.

Atalaya
One of Santa Fe’s most popular and well known out and back trails. It skirts an arroyo full of pinon and juniper before crossing it to climb into the ponderosa pines and onto the summit of Atalaya Mountain. The higher you go, the steeper it gets until you top out on a more level area which provides great views of Santa Fe and the Pecos Wilderness on the other side. Leashed dogs are welcome. Ample parking at the trail head which begins at St. John’s College parking lot. 3.5 hrs, 5.8 miles, moderate, 1,775 ft, year round, 1.9 miles.

Sun Mountain
A very popular out and back trail in the Santa Fe foothills. Starts out rather flat adjacent to private homes. Near the top, you come upon a large, smooth rock crop that cascades down like a granite waterfall. Beautiful views of the Ortiz and Sandia Mountains to the south and southwest and Jemez Mountains to the West. Keep going up the fairly steep, rocky staircase and through a pink and white granite crux to the summit. Some road-side parking, but no dedicated parking area. Leashed dogs welcome. 2 hrs, 1.4 miles, moderate, 721 ft, year round, 1.9 miles.

Picacho Peak
Great views of mountains, animal life and wildflowers on this popular out and back trail. Three nice viewpoints along the trail offer views of the City Different. Most of the trail is shaded, but there are some exposed areas as you get near the top. Leashed dogs welcome. 2.5 hrs, 3.3 miles, moderate, 1,225 ft, Mar – Oct, 3.2 miles.

Santa Fe Canyon Preserve
This loop trail at the top of Upper Canyon Road can feel like it’s hidden in plain sight. It’s just minutes from downtown but it feels a world apart, and even many locals don’t know about this short but spectacular trail – one of our favorite places for finding some solitude in the city. This conservatory is full of lush vegetation, cattail encircled beaver ponds (we’ve yet to spot the beavers), and plenty of shady spots under the trees to take in the sight of the water – a rarity in the high desert! Dogs not allowed. The trail also connects to the Dale Ball trail network, if you want to extend your hike. 1 hr, 1.5 miles, easy, 100 ft, year round, 3.3 miles

Chamisa Trail
This is a popular, fun loop-trail. We suggest hiking clockwise (left trail up) as the steep rocky riverbed terrain is easier on the incline than on the decline. We love the variety of micro-climates you experience. You start in Ponderosa forest, traverse the Saddleback with some scrub oak, and then drop down through piñon and juniper. The creek offers rich, green, mossy sections with plenty of deciduous trees and the constant gurgle of running water. Leashed dogs welcome. 3.5 hrs, 4.5 miles, moderate, 1,148 ft, Apr – Oct, 6.8 miles.

Sierra del Norte / Dale Ball Trail North
One of our favorite short hikes has something for everyone. Well-marked loop trail with options to customize duration, this pinon and juniper forest provides moderate shade on sunny days and is typical of Santa Fe. A treat for anyone who hasn’t experience pinon trees up close. Great Mountain views Northeast into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, West into the Jemez, and South into the Sandias. Dan hikes this trail monthly. Leashed dogs welcome. Ample parking. 2 hrs, 1.8 – 4.4 miles, easy, 567 ft, year round, 3.9 miles.

Rio en Medio Falls
This out and back trail starts at the end of a narrow country road. It is steep and rocky in some spots and the stream crossings can be a challenge the higher you go if you are afraid to get your feet wet. The payoff is a small water slide/falls that is very refreshing on a hot Summer day. Dogs are welcome. Parking limited. 3.5 hrs, 4 miles, moderate, 613 ft, year round, 14 miles.

Tesuque Creek
Nice out & back trail along a pretty creek. Can be rocky and narrow at points with lots of shade. Not well marked, but easy to follow. Borders private homes. Easy to make the hike as long or short as you wish. Dogs and horses use this trail. Very limited parking at trailhead. Combine with meal or beer at funky Tesuque Village Market. 2.5 hrs, 3.1 miles, moderate, 374 ft, year round, 5.7 miles.

Hyde Park Circle
At the start of this loop trail you gain almost 1,000 feet in elevation, but then you get to hike along the ridge line, so the pace slows down significantly. You can see the old Santa Fe Ski Basin. Some of the structures and tow ropes can still be seen across the canyon. At the summit, reap the fruits of your labor with views on both sides of the ridge. The view east looks up the canyon toward Ski Santa Fe, while the view west extends across the desert north of Santa Fe to the Jemez Mountains. Leashed dogs welcome. 2.5 hrs, 2.7 miles, moderate, 1,060 ft, May – Oct, 8.6 miles.

Aspen Vista to Tesuque Peak
As the name would suggest, Aspen Vista trail snakes through an aspen forest, with views of the rolling hills below. It’s a fairly wide, dirt forest road that goes all the way up to Tesuque Peak which overlooks Ski Santa Fe. It’s especially spectacular (and popular) in fall, when the entire hillside turns to gold. But any time of year is lovely – summer provides a cool, green escape from the heat, and in winter, hardy snowshoers will find some solitude (this is one of the most popular trails in the area, so it can get crowded, especially during leaf-peeping months). The entire out-and-back trail is over 12 miles long. However, there is a rocky overlook after approximately 2 miles that makes for a good turn-around point, for a total distance of about 4 miles. Dogs and horses use this trail. 6 hrs, 11.6 miles, moderate, 2,168 ft, Mar – Oct, 14.2 miles.

Nambe Lake
Dan’s favorite hike that takes you to Santa Fe’s closest alpine lake. Starting at the Ski Santa Fe parking lot, you climb steeply to the Windsor Trail then a long slight decline through an intense aspen stand towards Nambe Creek. The sometimes rocky and sometimes muddy trail traces the stream as it cascades down the mountain from the small lake that feeds it. Once at the top you are rewarded with a spectacular view of the lake and the granite cirque wrapping around and towering over the water. Take lunch and feed all the wildlife that will approach you. Dogs welcome. 6 hrs, 6.4 miles, difficult, 1,980 ft, May – Oct, 16 miles.

Santa Fe Baldy
This out and back reaches Santa Fe Baldy Via Windsor Trail. The first half of the trail is the same as Nambe Lake trail. A lightly traveled favorite for serious hikers, especially in the fall when golden carpets lead up to pine and eventually the saddle and summit for incredible views. What starts as a steep 1 mile of switchbacks turns into a slow descent through mossy pines and elegant aspens. Baldy comes in to view from the left side of the trail. Continue onward until you cross Nambe Creek and begin to climb again. Another series of switchbacks takes you above the tree line to the “saddle”. From there, it’s a steep scramble over marmot rocks to reconnect with the trail above. Be wary of summer storms and make sure to layer in fall. Dogs welcome. 9 hrs, 13.5 miles, difficult, 3,520 ft, May – Oct, 16 miles.

Lake Katherine
Lake Katherine via Winsor Trail is a very demanding day hike and is more popular with backpackers and campers as a two-day hike camping overnight. This trail is the same as Nambe Lake and Baldy but continues around Baldy to the lake rather than ascending to Baldy. Lake Katherine is larger than nearby Lake Nambe and Spirit Lake. The water is so clear! Dogs welcome. 10+ hrs, 16 miles, difficult, 3,090 ft, May – Oct, 16 miles.

Tent Rocks
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is composed of a loop around the “Tent Rocks” and Slot Canyon trail to the top of the mesa. This very popular hike is South of Santa Fe on your way to Albuquerque near Cochiti Pueblo. The Slot has beautiful examples of rock strata, hoodoos, the effects of wind and water. There are railroad ties to make steps to get to the top of the mesa where you can see for miles. Stay on the trail as it is a sacred site. Dogs not allowed; entrance fee required. 2.5 hrs, 3.1 miles, easy to moderate, 839 ft, year round, 40 miles.

Kitchen Mesa
Kitchen Mesa is arguably one of the most beautiful hikes in northern New Mexico. The trailhead starts off from Ghost Ranch, north of Abiquiu and offers expansive views of Pedernal and Georgia O’Keefe country. Leashed dogs are welcome. Steep with stunning views. This trail is accessed from Ghost Ranch and a $5 access fee is required. 3+ hrs, 3.7 miles, moderate, 718 ft, Mar – Oct, 63 miles.

Cerro Grande
Part of Bandelier National Monument, this out and back trail passes through the mixed conifer forest and is an excellent place to see wildflowers in mid to late summer. The view of the Valles Caldera and lower Bandelier from the upper portion of the route is quite spectacular. Remember, as this trail begins at high elevation and ends at even higher elevation, snow and ice may be present longer than at lower elevations. Dogs not allowed. 3 hrs, 4.6 miles, moderate, 1,217 ft, Apr – Oct, 46.5 miles.

Plaza Blanca
An annual trek for Innkeeper Dan and his partner David, this trail is good for all skill levels. Made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe when she made a series of paintings about the places she called “The White Place”, or in Spanish “Plaza Blanca”, these landscapes are in a valley of the Rio Chama hills near the village of Abiquiu. This area is now on the grounds of the Dar Al Islam education center and mosque. Stunning and unique scenery. Don’t miss it! Dogs welcome. 2.5 hrs, 2.7 miles, easy, 213 ft, year round, 50 miles.

Trampas Lakes
This out and back hike is consistently rated one of New Mexico’s best and least hiked trails. The trailhead starts at 8,900ft, winding along the Trampas River. This hike starts out nice and flat as you wind along the river, crossing it a few times. Eat lunch or take a break around mile 3 after you hike through an aspen grove, the trail will begin to climb. There are a few switchbacks as you begin most of the elevation gain. Just before the final push to the twin lakes, you’ll have the option to detour north and check out Hidden Lake a short mile there and back. If not, continue south for .5 miles and the lakes are dead ahead. Dogs welcome. 4×4 needed to access trail head. 5 hrs, 11.5 miles, difficult, 2,725 ft, Apr – Oct, 54 miles.

Chimney Rock
The Chimney Rock trail is a great option for a shorter day on the trail or a hike with kids. It includes stunning views of the Piedra Lumbre basin and gives you a perfect taste of the unique and stunning landscape of O’Keeffe country. This out and back trail is accessed from Ghost Ranch and a $5 access fee is required. Leashed dogs are welcome. 2 hrs, 2.5 miles, moderate, 633 ft, Mar – Oct, 63 miles.

McCauley Hot Springs / Battleship Rock
Begin your hike at the stunning geological formation of Battleship Rock northeast of Jemez. A wilderness lover’s dream, this easy trail leads you to hot springs, which at 95 degrees are refreshing and superbly relaxing in any kind of weather. Dogs welcome. 3 hrs, 3.4 miles, easy to moderate, 810 ft, year round, 67 miles.