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Tucson - Oasis in the Sonoran Desert

A November 2000 trip to Tucson by jmineo

San Xavier MissionMore Photos

Tucson Arizona's population explodes during the winter as "snowbirds" flock south for resort style living in a warm climate away from the frigid North. We had the opportunity to experience the "snowbird" way of life first-hand at Westin's La Paloma resort. This place is nestled in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains just outside of Tucson's city limits within the Sonoran Desert, and gave us one of our best experiences in resort living we could have ever imagined.

  • 15 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 4 photos

Tucson - Oasis in the Sonoran DesertBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Saguaro Cactus Silouette
My overarching memory of Tucson was that you don't need to pack much luggage because you'll be wearing shorts and t-shirts mainly throughout the year- it's that hot. Some of our memorable moments during our trips to Tucson were our stays at the La Paloma resort. In our mind there was really no reason for us ever to step foot off the resort proper. There was enough of "Tucson" within the resort to satisfy each of our return trips.

Quick Tips:

Be very careful driving in and around Tucson during the winter months. As I allude to in my journal, the "snowbirds" flock from the cold northern country to warmer climate in resort communities like Tucson. Many of the "snowbirds" are elderly citizens with, well, bad driving habits. You'll find that many fail to abide by the traffic laws and fail to yield as well. The worse I've seen was an elderly citizen making a right hand turn from a left lane, just thinking everything was peachy keen.

Best Way To Get Around:

Avoid driving in Tucson around rush hour (0700-0900; 1600-1800) if possible. The streets are pretty much north/south and east/west. Watch out for the "suicide" lanes running on many of the east/west avenues into and out of the city. These are the fifth (middle turn lane) lane of city streets set to go only one direction depending on rush hour into the downtown area or out of the downtown area. The only way to tell whether those lanes are active are occasional street signs and lights with a red "X" over the lane. During that time no opposite turns are allowed onto the median lane.

Westin La Paloma Resort and SpaBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Westin's La Paloma"

Westin's La Paloma Resort
Granted, prices are naturally higher at this resort than would be in the dead of summer, but we found this place well worth the money in the month of November. It''s hard to get in during the winter months, due to the weather being so pleasant and people using this as a summer retreat coming from northern country.
The first thing that hits you is the drive off of Sunrise Blvd to get to the hotel check-in. A median divided the two lanes winding up to the resort with 20ft-high Saguaro cacti spaced with what seemed to be scientific precision. I swear they were all within one inch height of each other. Later at night we found that these cacti were completely wrapped with small lights, which added a beautiful night touch to guide you up to check-in. Quite the first impression.
Obviously as with most "classy" resorts we were met with hotel valet when we drove under a grandiose overhang made of the typical adobe brick color (kind of a soft beige and red color), a traditional coloring element for buildings in these parts of the southwest. Entering the reception area was like entering a palace, with thirty foot ceilings and a glass-sectioned wall opening the atrium up to a Catalina Mountain backdrop. Our room was "economy" but still quite spacious and very clean. Each room regardless, has a balcony or patio and most of those have views of one mountain ridge or another (Tucson is surrounded by 3 mountain ranges) that has at least a partial view. We happened to get a sweeping view of the Catalinas from our balcony view. The down comforter was a nice touch in the room along with the his and hers logoed La Paloma robes and slippers. Service was prompt and courteous when needed, especially for late night sandwich snacks ordered.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jmineo on January 12, 2001

Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa
3800 East Sunrise Tucson, Arizona 85718
(520) 742-6000

Desert Garden RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Window to the Catalinas
Without a doubt try the resort restaurant, before scurrying about for other food fare. They have a southwestern flare to their dishes. Talking with the executive chef, they change their menu quarterly to bring in new customers, especialy local patrons in the hot summer months. They were featuring roasted garlic filet mignon with habanero chile sauce. Dish presentation looked like what you'd see in a food cuisine magazine: large plate with filet placed over a pool of sauce, garlic mashed potatoes shaped like a cactus with an assortment of veggies perfectly arranged. We lucked into a table near one of the windows which provided a view of the pool grounds below and the catalina Mountains above. Incidentally the Desert Garden Restaurant features a Sunday buffet, which we didnt have the opportunity to try due to waking up late that particular morning/afternoon. We saw the mess afterwards which included an omelette bar, pancakes, waffles, smoked salmon, carved roast beef, even a separate kiddy buffet for more appealing items for the children.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on January 12, 2001

Desert Garden Restaurant
La Paloma Resort Tucson, Arizona 85718
(520) 742-6000

Cafe Terra CottaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Cafe Terra Cotta + a Steven Baldwin sighting!"

We heard about this place from my daughter who went to school at the University of Arizona. Now that my wife and I have been there, I see where our hard-earned money went putting her through school. Seriously, this Mexican bistro is a beautifully made up place specializing in tapas. For those of you not familiar with that lingo, all I know is it happens to be small appetizer portions of Spanish flare foods. If you're into sampling foods this is the place to go. The cafe was painted with soft pastels and lighting was dim, but not dark. Believe it or not we saw Steven Baldwin (one of the younger Baldwin brother actors) come through the door and heard from our server that he was a regular there. Both Alex and Steven Baldwin own homes in Tucson she said. It sure seemed like it since the manager ran to greet him. The bottom line here is that the samplings of food we ordered were all tasty. The best part of this experience for me was ordering an Irish coffee afterwards and soaking in the atmosphere; the best part for my wife was being three tables down from Steven Baldwin. You never know whom you may run into in this town.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on January 12, 2001

Cafe Terra Cotta
3500 East Sunrise Drive Tucson, Arizona 85718
+1 520 577 8100

Bunbuku Japanese CuisineBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Bunbuku Sushi Bar and Restaurant"

Sushi in Tucson Arizona??? Well, normally I'd agree - NO. But we have returned to this Japanese gem time and time again. You walk into this place, letting the cloth overhang at the doorway hit you in the head, then it hits you: You may have to wait to be seated. You're not waiting to be seated due to the crowds necessarily, you're waiting because you can count the tables on both hands. Further, the sushi bar runs the length of the restaurant, which is at best 10 feet, seating may five barstools. Once you get beyond your claustrophobic tendencies, the quaintness of the room takes over. The sushi...to die for! I don't see how they do it in the middle of the desert.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on January 15, 2001

Bunbuku Japanese Cuisine
4520 East Broadway Blvd Tucson, Arizona 85710
(520) 325-6953

Pinnacle Peak SteakhouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is a rough and tumble place to get steak. If you wear a necktie, the staff will loudly (and with customer jeering) cut it off and post it one the wall. I'm not kidding! If you're a vegetarian - don't even bother with this place. The only thing without meat are the salads - and thats if you hold the bacon bits.

Every piece of meat here is mesquite grilled. The basic cut is a 22oz T-bone for $10 served up with beans and salad. Baked potato is extra. I usually order the Cattleman's 30 oz T-bone for $15, medium rare. The inner part of the steak was cool meaning it had been cooked from the cooler rather than being cooked from room temperature. The steak was also on the dry side with little or no juice. The inner portion of the steak was very tender and the house sauce was sweet and tangy.

My wife usaually orders the fillet mignon (12 oz I think). If you love mesquite flavor, this is the place. Atmosphere is very much like a cowboy town, in fact there is a mock cowboy town around the restaurant, complete with wooden plank sidewalks, saloons and souvenir shops. An excellent place to take out-of-towners.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jmineo on February 10, 2001

Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse
6541 East Tanque Verde Road Tucson, Arizona 85715
+1 520 296 0911

Jason’s DeliBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I know there are Jason’s Deli’s in other parts of the country, but I'm adding it here because they are few and far between, and the food in this grand sandwich shop is healthy without busting your pocketbook. Because it is relatively close to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, lunchtime is busy and may be dominated by servicemen and women in flight suits during the week (me being one of them when I was on active duty). It's best to get in before 11am or after 1:30 for a more relaxing meal, else you'll be battling the crowds fromm the base. But, even if you see a line when you drive by, know that it moves quickly and is worth the extra five minutes for a tasty meal. Beats the heck out of McDonald’s, and you still might have to wait in line there! Children's menu items are all 99 cents, and on Sundays they eat FREE.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jmineo on June 30, 2001

Jason’s Deli
5420 E Broadway Blvd Tucson, Arizona 85711
(520) 790-7000

Dao's Tai Pan'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Dao's Taipan"

This is a Vietnamese-Chinese restaurant located in front of St. Joseph’s Hospital on the east side of town (directly across from the Wilmot Branch Library). Most Vietnamese-owned restaurants in Tucson wouldn't survive on their own without fusing dishes or offering other ethnic cuisine with the Vietnamese items on the menu. Thus, the Chinese items on the menu. Vietnamese food has long been a favorite of mine, not simply because my wife is Vietnamese, but the foods are fresh and without the heavy sauces found in most Chinese-American restaurants. My favorite dishes here include Goi Coun, or fresh spring rolls, and noodle dishes with chicken or pork (number 24 and 25 on their menu). Of course there are the traditional Chinese favorites Cashew Chick and Mongolian Beef if you prefer to stick to what you know. The owner here is very polite. Don't be startled if the Asian servers throw the menus on the table and stand at your table waiting for you to order. That is typically the custom in Vietnamese restaurants, where most Vietnamese customers order quickly and know what they want. Americans tend to take longer in reviewing the menu and deciding on what to choose. Just tell the server you need a few minutes to order.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jmineo on June 30, 2001

Dao's Tai Pan's
446 N Wilmot Rd Tucson, Arizona 85711
(520) 722-0055

Biosphere 2Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Back to the future - Biosphere 2"

Okay, I didnt want to go here but my better half did so, needless to say, this was one of our excursions while at Tucson. We paid our 12 bucks for a tour of Biosphere 2, which is one of the largest living laboratories in the world. If I got one thing out of this tour it would be that this was one huge greenhouse. Actually, the compound was hard to walk, going from one area to the next. If you're a plant lover, you'd love this place. Within Biosphere 2 are several different "biomes", which was a fancy name for an "ecosystems". Researchers use these to experiment on different Earth systems. We saw what they called a salt water ocean, which looked like an oversized fish tank to me. The tour guide said it held 1 million gallons of water. We also saw a rainforest, which to me was like being back in Florida. I have to say ducking into this particular ecosystem was a godsend to me because it was quite cool outside by the time we got around to that part of the tour. The part I thought was interesting during this tour was the history behind it. Before 1994 was an experiment to test the feasibility of humans living in a closed eco-system (like living in space). Now THAT stuff interests me. Nevertheless, if horticulture and glamorous nurseries are your cup of tea, then this may be a valuable side trip for you green thumb types.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by jmineo on January 12, 2001

Biosphere 2
32540 S Biosphere Rd Tucson, Arizona 85623
(520) 896-6200

Davis-Monthan AFB "Boneyard" TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

For the military aircraft history afficionados, Davis-Monthan (D-M) AFB contains hundreds of acres of old (and new) airplanes. Technically they call it the AMARC (Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center)facility, but everyone else knows it as the "Bone Yard".
The base gives tours which are free but must be coordianted through the base public affairs office. You'll have to stop at the main gate at D-M to get a temporary sticker if your not military or DOD. Once at the bone yard, they do not allow POVs on the premise. You have to pre-arrange a tour with the public affairs folks. We saw hundreds of aircraft, including old generation B-52's that were being cut up by huge guillotines to satisfy the START agreements with the Russians. The tour guide was quick to show us four brand new F-16 fighter jets with 4 hours engine time, flown directly from the factory. The reason they were there: A Middle Eastern country defaulted on their loans to purchase them from the U.S., so they were being preserved there until finances could be squared.
By the way, the country's air force markings were on the planes already. We saw lots of older experimental aircraft as well. The overall feeling while there was something I couldn't describe; like a sad yet amazed feeling to see some of the best airplanes of their time parked idle and gutted.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on January 12, 2001

Davis-Monthan AFB "Boneyard" Tour
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Tucson, Arizona

Tohono Chul ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Pluck your $2 donation down and walk down the winding nature trail through Tohono Chul's various gardens. You not only get a feel for the Sonoran Desert itself, you get a look at some of the desert's diverse plantlife. You may even catch a roadrunner or quail scurring across the trails. Be sure to tour through the Exhibit Hall, which is a renovated historic home. You can also enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in the Tea Room and shop in the Greenhouse and Museum Shops. We ate lunch there in the converted house's courtyard. There was plenty of shade while we ate under the Mesquite trees to keep us cool. The food wasn't particularly noteworthy, especially given the distraction of the beautiful courtyard setting. Visiting this place for the first time in years of driving by, gave me an understanding why the desert is so cherished in Tucson. Tohono Chul Park exists to increase visitors' appreciation of the Sonoran Desert, its history and culture. It was definitely a way to experience the desert in a whole new way.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on January 18, 2001

Tohono Chul Park
7366 North Paseo del Norte Tucson, Arizona 85704
(520) 742-6455

Mount LemmonBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

It's hard to believe that by driving only 30 miles north from the sizzling city limits of Tucson the temperature could drop 30 degrees on us. But the road to the village of Summerhaven on top of Mount Lemmon is straight up, and it offers a very accessible reprieve for any desert dweller looking to escape the heat. Its the local Tucsonians that generally frequent the cooler climate on Mt Lemmon. On the way up you'll run into Summerhaven, an unlikely alpine village in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Its small but it has all you need: a few lodging establishments, several outstanding restaurants, shops and easy access to hiking and mountain biking opportunities in the surrounding Coronado National Forest. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, located just above Summerhaven, is open all summer offering "sky rides" on its lift. Be sure to make the trek during the month of October. Every year the city holds an Oktoberfest, selling german beer, knockwursts, broetchen, sauerkraut, and lots of other german goodies. Bring jackets though, because it gets cool up there during that time of year.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by jmineo on January 15, 2001

Mount Lemmon
Catalina Highway Tucson, Arizona 85619
+1 520 547 7510

Mission San Xavier del BacBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "San Xavier Mission"

San Xavier Mission
In the vast desert just outside Tucson, Arizona, one would not expect to find a beautiful church. Following the signs from the highway directs you toward Mission San Xavier (pronounced as "hauv-e-air") del Bac, you approach this majestic "white dove of the desert" (as it is affectionately called). It is truly an awesome experience. The sheer size and bright color against a blue sky and the tan colors of the desert make San Xavier a striking sight. We never once saw this place during the four years we lived here; however, during our last visit back to Tucson we finally did it!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on January 15, 2001

Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 West San Xavier Road Tucson, Arizona 85746
+1 520 294 2624

Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Sonora Desert Museum"

A leisurely morning is ideal for a trek to this park/museum. Look for signs to Tucson Community College, West Campus on I-10 then continue driving on the windy road. Our drive took us through the Saguaro National Monument, with its miles and miles of those enormous cactus "trees", into Tucson Mountain Park, site of the Desert Museum. The "Desert Experience" would be a better name for the museum, since it contains dioramas, aquariums, and a very educational earth sciences center. Outdoors, its spacious grounds are the best place to learn about Arizona's wealth and variety of cactuses and animals, since hundreds of indigenous plants and animals live in near-natural settings there. Kids of all ages will just love it!While there, I had my own unforgettable "experience". While taking gum off the bottom of my sandals, I lost my balance and my hand accidentally brushed against one of those innocent-looking Cholla cactuses, the ones which look like furry white teddy bears. AYEEEE! The air around me instantly turned blue as the Arizona sky, and it was days before I got all the barbs out and the pain subsided. Not exactly the type of souvenir I planned on taking with me, but there's something for everyone of all ages at this museum, but do be careful, especially with children!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on June 27, 2001

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 North Kinney Road Tucson, Arizona 85743
+1 520 883 1380

Pima Air and Space MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Pima Air Museum"

Tucson enjoys what must be the world's finest outdoors exhibit of military aircraft from the earliest and smallest to the latest and greatest. Don't confuse this air museum with the Davis-Monthan AFB boneyard museum that is also opened to the public for tour. In the Pima museum, most are American aircaft, but there are Russian, British and other craft too, and some really historic attractions. Contray to the boneyard, these aren't mothballed for potential use by the government in case a major conflict breaks out and they have to resort to reviving airframes. We saw a B29 Super Fortress which had seen action during WW2, and the presidential plane which JFK used on his final trip. I was particularly impressed to see the formerly top-secret SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane up close. The fastest plane ever built, it could fly about 50% faster than the Concorde and still holds some of the world speed records for flight. Gone are the days of being able to catch one of these at an airshow, either static or fly-by. We had to settle, and happily so, for a fully restored airframe that had retired from its fithful service to the U.S. government. I never expected to be fortunate enough to ever see it up close.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by jmineo on June 27, 2001

Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 East Valencia Road Tucson, Arizona 85706
(520) 574-0462

Tangerine Road - Freebie Roller Coaster RideBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

I couldn't find a category that quite fit this little nugget of fun. It's a secret kept by residents of Oro Valley, a small suburban town just northwest of Tucson. Tangerine Road serves its purpose well, connecting what otherwise is a remote community from the heavily utilized Interstate 10. Without this "road" residents of Oro Valley have to backtrack miles into Tucson and merge much further south on I-10, which obviously can be an issue if you intend on traveling north on I-10. Therefore, Tangerine Road is pretty much categorized as a required "run" for Oro Valley residents heading north to Phoenix and the like. Having said all that, Tangerine Road is a 17 mile east/west stretch between I-10 and Oracle Road that road engineers decided not to level and literally grade over every contour of the land.

The contours under Tangerine Road equate to what we snow-skiers call an oversized mogul. Think of negotiating dozens and dozens of these as you drive down this road. Note: as you might expect the ride gets more sporting the faster you drive. My guess is on average from peak to trough we're talking 5-6 feet per dip. For those with stomachs of iron, I'd call this a cheap way of getting some roller coaster-like thrills; however, for those of us who had to negotiate this road of wonderment daily, I'd say it was simply a pain in the ass. The novelty for me wore off after the first week, but I highly recommend it for someone who someday finds themselves traveling in Tucson and in a pinch to get to Phoenix. Do you dare?

About the Writer

jmineo
jmineo
L.A., California

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