With beautiful weather most months of the year, many residents of Rancho Vistoso find they have more houseguests arriving than their relatives in colder climates. Tucson, Arizona and the adjacent cities of Oro Valley, Catalina and Marana are located in the lush Sonoran desert, where temperatures average a gorgeous 74 degrees Fahrenheit October through April. Even though the summers are hot, the nights can be quite pleasant and the monsoon season boasts amazing lightening shows and walls of rain that you can see coming from miles away. Home to several world class golf courses and top spas (including Oprah’s favorite spa - Miraval in Catalina, less than 10 minutes away from Rancho Vistoso), Tucson also offers year round hiking, cycling, rock climbing and equestrian sports. A vibrant art community and some of the globally most respected observatories, along with famous events such as the Accenture World Match Play and the Tour de Tucson cycling event round out the amazing opportunities that the Tucson area offers. Only a day’s drive to other US hot spots such as San Diego, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon ensure there is something for everyone. Did we mention Mexico’s Puerto Penasco beach village on the Sea of Cortez is only a 4 hour drive?? The Tucson area (including Oro Valley and Marana) has outdoor activities galore, culinary delights for all palates, all ranges of shopping from local dollar stores to Tiffany & Co.- you will find it here.
Whether you are helping your houseguests find some activities, or you are a local who is ready to explore in your own backyard- this page is for you! We have assembled some of the great attractions on this page (and found some lesser known ones along the way). Get ready for fun things to do in Oro Valley and the Tucson area!
A note to be made about the following attractions and Arizona in general - wherever you go bring plenty of water, and wear sunscreen. In addition, many of the outdoor attractions such as Sabino Canyon, Catalina State parks and others have an abundance of wildlife, especially during certain times of the day during different seasons. Please be cognizant of this and observe good stewardship by not attempting to feed or touch animals, watch where you are stepping and keeping small children and pets with you at all times. Be smart, safe and have a wonderful time!
If you think we should add anything to this page (or other areas of the site), feel free to contact us anytime!