Luxury communities in Santa Fe are extraordinary and diverse – from historic adobes just moments from the Plaza to contemporary retreats nestled in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, to gated estates with breathtaking mountain views. Recently ranked the #1 Best City in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, Santa Fe offers private, refined and inspired living, all within a short distance to the city’s world-class artistic, cultural and culinary delights.
I’ve lived and worked in this magical city for decades, and I love it more and more over time. I know where the mountain sunset views are best, which streets have the most charming and lush courtyards, and which luxury neighborhoods offer a front-row seat to Santa Fe’s dramatic skies. Here are my personal recommendations for the top luxury communities in Santa Fe:
Historic Eastside & Acequia Madre
The Historic Eastside is Santa Fe’s revered heart and soul, with picturesque winding streets, hidden gardens, and easy proximity to world-class art galleries and fine dining both Downtown and along Canyon Road. Acequia Madre, a street renowned for its centuries-old waterway, offers some of the most enchanting historic properties in the city. Lavish gardens and vintage architectural touches make this one of the area’s most coveted communities. From Upper Canyon Road, the Audubon Center and some world-class hiking are easily accessible nearby.
Las Campanas
This sought-after luxury community, just minutes northwest of the city, blends gracious resort-style living with dramatic high-desert beauty. Enchanting views of sunrise over the Sangre de Cristos, sunsets over the Jemez Mountains and big skies in every direction are part of daily life in Las Campanas. Gated and private with stunning architecture in both Pueblo Revival and Southwest Contemporary styles, spacious properties invite you to relax and enjoy the natural beauty all around. The community boasts miles of walking and cycling paths as well as horse-friendly zoning. And the renowned Club at Las Campanas features two championship golf courses, tennis, a spa and fine dining.
Monte Sereno
The exclusive Monte Sereno northwest of the city is the essence of high-desert elegance. Magnificent homes vary in style from contemporary Pueblo Revival to modern Territorial, with deep portals for shade and generous windows to take advantage of the stunning light and dramatic mountain views over the Sangre de Christo and Jemez Mountains. With the world-renowned Santa Fe Opera in its backyard and Plaza only minutes away, Monte Sereno is a luxurious enclave within convenient reach of Santa Fe’s best cultural hubs.
La Tierra, La Tierra Nueva & Las Dos
These private, neighboring luxury communities northwest of Santa Fe gift their residents breathtaking views, abundant open space, and stunning properties that beckon you to soak in the peaceful, natural surroundings. Lots are spacious, so night-sky viewing is spectacular, and trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding are in easy access. In La Tierra, homes range from classic Pueblo Revival styles with private courtyards to modern designs with walls of glass framing sweeping vistas of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains. Nearby La Tierra Nueva is a gated neighborhood that features custom homes with rustic adobe or territorial designs, generous acreage and jaw-dropping mountain views. Stretching further west, the Las Dos neighborhood feels even more expansive and secluded, with a mix of custom homes, artist enclaves, and some sustainable, grid-supportive living, thanks to the region’s plentiful sunshine.
Tesuque & Encantado
Relaxed yet sophisticated, Tesuque and Encantado offer a unique take on luxury. Rustic Tesuque has a hidden-away feel amid towering Cottonwood trees lining the valley. Homes are sited on ample lots with a distinctive blend of historic adobe residences, sometimes adjacent to more contemporary architecture. Nearby Encantado borders the exclusive Four Seasons resort with sweeping views over rolling terrain. Homes are designed to capture dramatic skies and ensure privacy. Both neighborhoods are close to the charming Tesuque Village Market, local galleries and artist studios, while being a short drive from Santa Fe.
Circle Drive, Circle Drive Compound & Tesuque Ridge
Unmatched privacy, expansive properties and some of the area’s highest vantage points make this exceptional trio unique among luxury communities in Santa Fe. Just north of the city, these neighborhoods offer stunning views and inspired design paired with the solitude and convenience that make them some of Santa Fe’s most desirable locations. In the prestigious Circle Drive community, spacious homes range from classic Pueblo Revival to sleek contemporary estates, all elegantly positioned to capture wide-open vistas. Circle Drive Compound is a gated enclave featuring a harmonious range of architectural styles that prize the surrounding natural beauty. Tesuque Ridge is perched in dramatic high-desert landscape, with homes featuring classic Pueblo, Territorial or Contemporary styles, designed to maximize the community’s breathtaking views.
Tano Road
Combining the peaceful feel of the high desert with quick access to the city’s attractions, Tano Road prioritizes the natural beauty of the landscape. Homes here celebrate classic Santa Fe style. You’ll find Pueblo Revival design, complete with intimate courtyards, and more contemporary Southwestern architecture, with vast windows to capture the enchanting light. Views are a star feature in the Tano Road community, including stunning sunsets over the Jemez Mountains, glistening snow on the Sangre de Cristos, and twinkling skies at night. Nearby, the popular La Tierra Trails system is a local favorite for mountain biking and trail running.
High Summit
Loftily perched along the way to the Ski Basin on the city’s northeast side, this one-of-a-kind gated community of High Summit feels like a private mountain retreat – within easy access to the city. Homes here are designed for privacy, occupying expansive acreage yet blending seamlessly into the peaceful wooded surroundings. Most are custom-built contemporary or Pueblo Revival styles, with large windows to feature grand, dramatic views in every direction. Wildlife sightings are part of daily life, and hiking, biking and skiing are in close proximity,
Bishop’s Lodge, Hyde Park & Cerros Colorados
Set in the picturesque Sangre de Christo foothills, these exclusive neighborhoods offer a premier mountain setting just minutes from downtown. The mix of Aspens, Spruce and Ponderosa pines along with mountain foothills close enough to touch make for breathtaking vistas year-round. Bishop’s Lodge architecture blends Pueblo Revival with understated luxury, both in historic-style estates and newer builds, often set on generous lots for quiet and privacy. It offers close proximity to the luxurious Bishop’s Lodge Resort. Homes in Hyde Park seem to be tucked into the forest itself – elegant mountain lodges, contemporary timber-and-glass retreats, and adobe-style designs adapted to the higher elevations. Cerros Colorados homes are sited to maximize sweeping mountain views and feature sleek contemporary design or Pueblo Revival style. Trailheads for some of the area’s best hiking and biking are in easy reach of these communities, and the Santa Fe Ski Basin is just up the road.
Old Santa Fe Trail & Museum Hill
The Old Santa Fe Trail and Museum Hill neighborhoods inspire with their tranquil atmosphere, where art, history and panoramic mountain views are part of daily life. Homes here feature elevated designs that honor the neighborhood’s historic significance adjacent to the famous Route 66 and pioneer-travelled Santa Fe Trail. Properties are expansive and carefully planned to maximize the natural beauty in of the setting. With world-renowned museums, the Botanical Garden, and Santa Fe’s major cultural attractions nearby, it’s clearly one of the city’s top luxury neighborhoods.
Galisteo
In the majestic Galisteo Basin south of Santa Fe, historic Galisteo is known for its boundless skies, dramatic views and discrete sense of privacy. It’s a place where many of the magnificent homes, ranches and properties may rarely change hands, yet the sense of community is welcoming. Home designs favor historic or Pueblo Revival styles along with Territorial and sleek contemporary. Galisteo abounds with artists who find inspiration in the magical light and residents who enjoy the tranquility and darkest of night skies -- all while being less than 30 minutes away from Santa Fe’s culture and convenience.
Each of Santa Fe’s top luxury neighborhoods has its own compelling character, which makes this area so appealing and attractive to residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re drawn to mountain seclusion, panoramic vistas, or a quiet enclave in the city, I can help you find your exceptional home in the Land of Enchantment. Reach out today, and let's start exploring some exciting possibilities for your next home.