Monte Vista is San Luis Valley’s rural town center
Spanish for “Mountain View,” Monte Vista is an older town in the San Luis Valley along the Rio Grande River. Despite its mostly rural surroundings, Monte Vista’s downtown area has plenty of local shops and restaurants. “It’s a bit smaller and has better home prices than Alamosa,” says Shawna Crenshaw, a real estate agent with Calder Creek who has over 15 years of experience. “[Monte Vista] is kind of a hub for the agricultural community – farmers will go there to get parts and supplies.” With Alamosa about 17 miles east and South Fork roughly 30 miles west, the town is centrally located for commuters.
Century-old, single-family homes and newer builds are available
Most homes in Monte Vista are lined along gridded residential streets with alleyway access. Grassy front lawns are often fenced in and occasionally dotted with mature trees. Bungalows and minimal traditional single-story homes from the 1900s to the 1950s are common. Some have front porches, and others have brightly colored exteriors. Prices range from $150,000 to $420,000, depending on the age and condition of the property. Traditional, multi-story homes with tall, slanted roofs and farmhouse features have a similar cost. A handful of these properties were built in the 1880s, while the rest are from the 1920s. Another common housing type for the neighborhood is ranch-style homes built from the 1960s to the 2010s, with the newer homes costing upwards of $630,000.
Monte Vista has city parks and a nearby national wildlife refuge
Monte Vista has over 70 acres of city-owned parks with facilities for outdoor recreation. Chapman Park is one of the larger green spaces, with a playground, basketball court and picnic areas. A gravel walking track surrounds the perimeter of the park’s open field. Marsh Park is currently under construction but will have two playground areas along its wide grassy field. There’s also the Monte Vista Skate Park and the Ski Hi Softball Fields. The Monte Vista Golf Club has a 9-hole course available to members and regularly hosts tournaments for all skill levels.
Over 8 miles south of downtown is the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, with over 15,000 acres of meadows and wetlands. Birdwatching and waterfowl hunting are the area’s main activities. “People go down there every year to look at the cranes,” Crenshaw says. There’s also a 2.5-mile-long auto tour for those who want to drive through the area. While the Rio Grande River is close by, people typically leave the water alone, with the exception of fishing.
Celebrating sandhill cranes and the rodeo at city-wide events
A handful of events take place in the area, including the Monte Vista Crane Festival. The March event celebrates the migration of sandhill cranes to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The main event includes an expo for home goods and crafts. In July, the Ski Hi Stampede showcases the state's oldest professional rodeo, with everything from live music to a downtown parade.
Downtown's thrift shops and restaurants make it a hub for activity
Downtown Monte Vista is the city’s commercial hub, filled with art galleries, local retail and family owned restaurants. First Avenue and Adams Street are both lined with thrift shops, antique stores and clothing stores like The Finery Boutique. Quincy’s Steakhouse & Spirits is a fine dining establishment, while Taqueria y Antojitos Los Lopez is one of many eateries in the area serving authentic Mexican cuisine. Further east on Grand Avenue are a handful of fast-food options, including Pizza Hut and Subway. There’s also a Safeway on Monroe Street and Third Avenue. “They’re getting more food trucks in the area. There’s one that does barbeque – he’ll show up for a week and then disappear for a month, and no one knows where he goes,” Crenshaw says.
For additional options, Alamosa has dozens of national retailers, like Ace Hardware and chain restaurants like IHOP. A Walmart Supercenter is on Clark Street.
Students attend classes in the Monte Vista School District
The Monte Vista School District serves over 1,000 students within the city. Marsh Elementary School, for preschool through first-grade students, earns a B-minus grade from Niche. The C-rated Bill Metz Elementary School teaches grades second through fifth. From there, students can attend Monte Vista Middle School, which scores a C-minus. Monte Vista High School receives a C and offers multiple after-school activities, including a science club and the SHOCK club, which is centered around helping the community.
Driving along Monte Vista’s commuter routes
While some areas of Monte Vista have sidewalks, getting around the city typically requires a vehicle. U.S. Highway 285 travels north and south, then merges with U.S. Highway 160 in central Monte Vista and continues east as Grande Avenue. Commuters can use this route to travel about 17 miles into Alamosa. Colorado state Highway 15, known as Gunbarrel Road, is another main road through the area. The San Luis Valley Regional Airport is roughly 19 miles away and has daily flights to and from the Denver International Airport.
