Pop Quiz Time

In what area can you find the following:

• Blueberry earl grey scones
• A ski area at 9000’ elevation
• Towering cacti
• Lamb kebabs and hushpuppies
• A giant piñata chasing a child

What did you answer? Southern California, Colorado or New Mexico? Try Tucson, Arizona, an often overlooked city you’re sure to love.

Sunny and 75

As we storm along into winter, and what precious little sunshine we see is challenged by rain, snow and frigid winds, take a moment and picture yourself in shorts and a t-shirt, shades on, sipping a mimosa or marveling at desert flora. Lucky for you, that dream can be a reality with just a short flight or drive to Tucson! (Insider info: Alaska Airlines is currently having a flight sale direct from Seattle, starting at $89 for Saver Fare or 7.5k miles during early March!)

It’s Pronounced Suh∙waa∙row

One of the major draws to the Tucson area is Saguaro National Park, home to the largest cacti in the U.S., and spanning 92,000 acres both east and west of Tucson. The two districts vary in geologic features, but both are home to vast forests of cacti, which can grow up to 40 feet tall and live for 150 years. Fun fact: saguaro cactus take an average of 13 years to reach one foot in height, and typically do not grow an arm until they are 75 years old! Both districts offer multiple great hiking options, with over 165 miles of hikeable trails, along with scenic loop roads. 

The Tucson Mountain District in the west features the 5-mile Bajada Loop Drive, with panoramic viewpoints including the Valley View Overlook and Signal Hill, home to over 200 Native American petroglyphs. For a great hiking option, try the King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop, featuring a sandy wash, old mining remnants and magnificent scenery along a 2.4-mile loop. 

East of Tucson, the Rincon Mountain District is home to the 8.3-mile cactus forest loop, with ample opportunities to marvel at the spiky giants. We strolled a portion of the Cactus Forest Trail, which traverses a total of 10 miles through the heart of the park, but provides desert beauty just steps from either trailhead. The Rincon Mountain District is also where we encountered a gila monster meandering across a side road and a small squadron of javelinas in a wash below the loop road. Other wildlife common in the park are roadrunners, mud turtles, elf owls and bobcats. I will report back if we ever see an elusive jackalope.

Visitor entry is $25 for a standard vehicle, or is covered under the annual $80 America the Beautiful Pass series (the best deal if you visit more than a few NPS sites per year). 

On the drive to the Tucson Mountain District, take a few moments to stop at the Gates Pass Trailhead parking area for some sweeping views of the valleys on both sides of the divide, or for some hiking options of various lengths. The old shelters seem to attract a certain crowd overnight, and regardless of my opinions on graffiti, they do provide a unique photo spot.

Elevation 9157

Another popular attraction near Tucson is the drive up Mt. Lemmon, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the top. As you maneuver winding turns, you will gain over 6700’ from the city center, so be sure to pull off at several of the incredible roadside viewpoints to marvel at the valley below and the mountains in the distance. One of the best views is from the Windy Point Vista. Closer to the top, the Palisades Visitor Center provides hiking and camping info (hours vary by season). The town of Mt. Lemmon is just below the peak, but if you visit in winter, expect much of it to be closed up for the season. Fortunately, Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin is open nearly every day of the year, and is a great spot for a slice of pepperoni or a shareable chocolate chip cookie.

If snow is in the forecast, hit the slopes at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley, which is also open for scenic chairlift rides outside of ski days. If the night sky is clear, consider staying for a program at the University of Arizona’s Mt. Lemmon Sky Center Observatory, home to a 32” and 24” telescope, and hosting a variety of programs by reservation only.

Good Times are Brewing

For an afternoon out or an evening on the town, try one of Tucson’s numerous breweries. We enjoyed Pueblo Vida Brewing, offering some great fruited kettle sours and a mango lemonade IPA. Another of our favorites is Borderlands Brewing, which serves up a Citrana Southwest Gose and a Noche Ducle Vanilla Porter alongside taco flights and addictive taquitos.

Chow Time

Tucson also has a vastly underrated food scene, with craft food purveyors spanning all meals. For some of the best brunch we have tried across our 50 states of travel, we absolutely vote Prep + Pastry. Try the Poblano Verde Beni (I’m a bit of a benedict snob, and this is one of the best I’ve had), the Monte Cristo or the SW Croissant Sammie. Be sure to pair your meal with one of the 9 mimosa options, such as Prickly Pear or the Madras, with mango, desert pear and orange. And to go with your morning coffee, it’s hard to beat the Blackberry Thyme Donut or the Blueberry Earl Grey Scone, among the best pastries I have eaten.

When high noon rolls around, you might be thinking Southwestern, but let’s head east instead, all the way to the Mediterranean. Venture to Istanbul Mediterranean Cuisine for some top notch Turkish food. We recommend the Doner Salad and just about any of the Kebab Combos. Be sure to share an order of Tzatziki or Hummus with Pita Bread, and a cup of Lemon Chicken Soup.

After a day of hiking and cacti viewing, a journey from the Southwest to the South is the way to go. Unwind at The Parish, where you can try shareable starters such as Hot Legs Le’ Jean (frog legs and bacon) or the cast iron cornbread made with blue corn, local honey, cinnamon and bourbon butter. For the main course, we give the nod to the Guedry’s Gumbo with a side of Hush Puppies, or the Parish Burger, piled high with bleu cheese, bacon, red onion marmalade and dijon.

Paint the Town

One final unexpected Tucson surprise is a thriving arts scene, with over 120 murals across the city. A couple of my favorites are Ignacio Garcia’s juicy grapefruit mural at 9 N. Scott Avenue, and his UFO mural at 5055 E. Speedway. For group shots, stop by the Greetings From Tucson mural at E. 7th & N. Arizona Ave, or the Tucson Together mural at 278 E. Congress St. For some table-turning humor, peep the PETA Piñata mural at 31 N. 6th Ave.

All photos and content © Eric S. Allan 2022 & 2023