Gene’s Guidebook

Gretel
Gene’s Guidebook

Hiking & Mountain Biking

Lots of beautiful trails here for hiking and mountain biking. The Starr Pass Resort Loop is a nice one-hour walk in the desert. Well-marked with maps and signs.
Starr Pass Trail
Starr Pass Trail
Lots of beautiful trails here for hiking and mountain biking. The Starr Pass Resort Loop is a nice one-hour walk in the desert. Well-marked with maps and signs.
Lots of well-marked hiking and mountain biking trails.
31 locals recommend
Sweetwater Trailhead
4001 N Tortolita Rd
31 locals recommend
Lots of well-marked hiking and mountain biking trails.
Beautiful, popular hiking spot--a local favorite. (But I don't visit often because dogs aren't allowed.)
457 locals recommend
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon Road
457 locals recommend
Beautiful, popular hiking spot--a local favorite. (But I don't visit often because dogs aren't allowed.)
Nice desert hiking loops, dog friendly. Well-marked with maps and signs.
9 locals recommend
Painted Hills Trailhead
3590 W Anklam Rd
9 locals recommend
Nice desert hiking loops, dog friendly. Well-marked with maps and signs.
Annual mountain bike race put on by Epic Rides, every February.
24 Hours in the Old Pueblo
East Willow Spring Drive
Annual mountain bike race put on by Epic Rides, every February.
Nice network of trails. Not as crowded as Sweetwater. And a little less technical than Starr Pass trails. We start at the 36th Street trailhead. https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/8012738/robles-trail-system
Robles Pass
Nice network of trails. Not as crowded as Sweetwater. And a little less technical than Starr Pass trails. We start at the 36th Street trailhead. https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/8012738/robles-trail-system
Another fun mountain biking area after you've been to Starr Pass, Sweetwater, and Robles. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/6390787/tortolita-preserve-loop
Tortolita Preserve Trailhead
6250 W Moore Rd
Another fun mountain biking area after you've been to Starr Pass, Sweetwater, and Robles. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/6390787/tortolita-preserve-loop
Start here to do the bottom half of the famous Lemmon Drop black diamond downhill trail. Steep and technical, expert terrain! Get a ride up from Homegrown Shuttles. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/303006/lemmon-drop More info: http://homegrownmtb.com/2019/09/26/bikemag-2/
Bug Spring Trailhead
Catalina Highway
Start here to do the bottom half of the famous Lemmon Drop black diamond downhill trail. Steep and technical, expert terrain! Get a ride up from Homegrown Shuttles. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/303006/lemmon-drop More info: http://homegrownmtb.com/2019/09/26/bikemag-2/
More mountain biking trails to the north. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4741853/golder-ranch-trail-system
East Golder Ranch Drive
East Golder Ranch Drive
More mountain biking trails to the north. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/4741853/golder-ranch-trail-system
Beginner-friendly trails with trailside "art" and purpose-built features.
15 locals recommend
Fantasy Island
9500 E Irvington Rd
15 locals recommend
Beginner-friendly trails with trailside "art" and purpose-built features.
This MTB Project link is one of the better AZ Trail sections for mtn. biking: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/3644762/azt-pistol-hill-to-three-bridges. Home Grown Shuttles provides shuttle rides for this section: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/684367/azt-bellota
Arizona Trail
Arizona National Scenic Trail
This MTB Project link is one of the better AZ Trail sections for mtn. biking: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/3644762/azt-pistol-hill-to-three-bridges. Home Grown Shuttles provides shuttle rides for this section: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/684367/azt-bellota
More west side trails: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000581/tucson-mountain-park-loop
32 locals recommend
Tucson Mountain Park
8451 West McCain Loop
32 locals recommend
More west side trails: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000581/tucson-mountain-park-loop
There are two locations: East and West. Good for hiking and sight sightseeing. Not so much for mountain biking.
320 locals recommend
Saguaro National Park
320 locals recommend
There are two locations: East and West. Good for hiking and sight sightseeing. Not so much for mountain biking.

Food scene

Open for breakfast and lunch. Homestyle Mexican food downtown. Outdoor seating with a gift shop inside.
49 locals recommend
The Little One
151 North Stone Avenue
49 locals recommend
Open for breakfast and lunch. Homestyle Mexican food downtown. Outdoor seating with a gift shop inside.
Vegetarian food that even non-vegetarians love. Creative Southwestern-inspired food and coffee drinks. Some outside seating. There is also a 4th Avenue location.
72 locals recommend
Tumerico
2526 E 6th St
72 locals recommend
Vegetarian food that even non-vegetarians love. Creative Southwestern-inspired food and coffee drinks. Some outside seating. There is also a 4th Avenue location.
Asian tea house, walking-distance.
7 locals recommend
Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas
2510 E 6th St
7 locals recommend
Asian tea house, walking-distance.
Authentic taqueria in South Tucson. The shrimp tostada is a favorite.
30 locals recommend
Taqueria Pico De Gallo
2618 S 6th Ave
30 locals recommend
Authentic taqueria in South Tucson. The shrimp tostada is a favorite.
Quality local coffee shop. Try the monsoon mocha or the mole mocha.
104 locals recommend
Exo Roast Co
403 N 6th Ave
104 locals recommend
Quality local coffee shop. Try the monsoon mocha or the mole mocha.
Not exactly near the apartment, but worth the trip. Wood-fired pizza in a small space in a strip mall.
19 locals recommend
Fiamme Pizza
4706 E Sunrise Dr
19 locals recommend
Not exactly near the apartment, but worth the trip. Wood-fired pizza in a small space in a strip mall.
Walking-distance locally owned Tucson sandwich shop. You can't go wrong with The Cowboy.
7 locals recommend
Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches #4
2741 E Speedway Blvd
7 locals recommend
Walking-distance locally owned Tucson sandwich shop. You can't go wrong with The Cowboy.
The onigiri (stuffed, nori-wrapped rice balls) and don bowls (rice bowls with toppings) are fantastic, with a neat courtyard inside a shipping-container market with boutiques, restaurants, bars. Outside seating.
21 locals recommend
KUKAI
267 South Avenida del Convento
21 locals recommend
The onigiri (stuffed, nori-wrapped rice balls) and don bowls (rice bowls with toppings) are fantastic, with a neat courtyard inside a shipping-container market with boutiques, restaurants, bars. Outside seating.
Our favorite Indian food in Tucson.
10 locals recommend
Indian Twist
4660 E Camp Lowell Dr
10 locals recommend
Our favorite Indian food in Tucson.
Year-round Sunday morning farmer's market. This is a NICE market that (on Sundays) takes place at an old quarter horse race track. Lots of local food products and prepared foods in addition to local produce, meat/eggs, coffee, cheeses, dates. Often there are great local gift and plant/catcus vendors too.
20 locals recommend
Heirloom Farmers Market - Rillito Park
4502 N 1st Ave
20 locals recommend
Year-round Sunday morning farmer's market. This is a NICE market that (on Sundays) takes place at an old quarter horse race track. Lots of local food products and prepared foods in addition to local produce, meat/eggs, coffee, cheeses, dates. Often there are great local gift and plant/catcus vendors too.
Lovely cafe with quality sandwiches, pizza, salads, coffee, pastries, wine & beer. Small section of groceries, including local greens and meats, fancy chocolate, artisan bread. Easy and good.
148 locals recommend
Time Market
444 E University Blvd
148 locals recommend
Lovely cafe with quality sandwiches, pizza, salads, coffee, pastries, wine & beer. Small section of groceries, including local greens and meats, fancy chocolate, artisan bread. Easy and good.
Great Mexican (the taquitos are my fav) in a lovely Southwestern courtyard setting surrounded by shops and restaurants. Pro Tip: The River Road location is often not as crowded. Nice outside seating in both locations.
140 locals recommend
Seis Kitchen
1765 E River Rd
140 locals recommend
Great Mexican (the taquitos are my fav) in a lovely Southwestern courtyard setting surrounded by shops and restaurants. Pro Tip: The River Road location is often not as crowded. Nice outside seating in both locations.
Great for take-out. Homemade noodles.
14 locals recommend
Noodleholics
3502 E Grant Rd
14 locals recommend
Great for take-out. Homemade noodles.
Some of the best coffee in town.
77 locals recommend
Cartel Coffee Lab
2516 N Campbell Ave
77 locals recommend
Some of the best coffee in town.
Pretty good poke! Not far from the casita.
LemonShark Poke - Tucson
2501 E Grant Rd
Pretty good poke! Not far from the casita.
Same owner as Tumerico, but offers meat as well as vegetarian options.
16 locals recommend
La Chaiteria
1002 W Congress St
16 locals recommend
Same owner as Tumerico, but offers meat as well as vegetarian options.

Sightseeing

Charming market with eateries & shops surrounding a courtyard that hosts a farmers' market.
160 locals recommend
Mercado San Augustin
100 South Avenida del Convento
160 locals recommend
Charming market with eateries & shops surrounding a courtyard that hosts a farmers' market.
Worth a visit for the "Raptor Free Flight" presentation (which takes place once or twice a day). Check for days and times: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/rff_index.php
670 locals recommend
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd
670 locals recommend
Worth a visit for the "Raptor Free Flight" presentation (which takes place once or twice a day). Check for days and times: https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/rff_index.php
Watch thousands of bats take flight. *DURING THE SUMMER ONLY* Thousands of bats live under the North Campbell Street bridge (just south of River) each summer and they take flight at sundown in the summer. At Campbell and River, you can park at the southwest corner of St. Philips Plaza or across the bridge and walk across the wash if there is no water in it. Also check it out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/campbell-avenue-bat-colony-tucson
209 N Campbell Ave
209 North Campbell Avenue
Watch thousands of bats take flight. *DURING THE SUMMER ONLY* Thousands of bats live under the North Campbell Street bridge (just south of River) each summer and they take flight at sundown in the summer. At Campbell and River, you can park at the southwest corner of St. Philips Plaza or across the bridge and walk across the wash if there is no water in it. Also check it out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/campbell-avenue-bat-colony-tucson
Quiet.
20 locals recommend
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
1 Burruel St
20 locals recommend
Quiet.
Learn about Tucson's history here.
15 locals recommend
Presidio San Agustin del Tucson
196 N Court Ave
15 locals recommend
Learn about Tucson's history here.
Something different!
101 locals recommend
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W Duval Mine Rd
101 locals recommend
Something different!
Beautiful campus, wonderful for walking or just hanging out. I never get tired of looking at the architecture and landscaping. There is often parking on Cherry Street (on the weekends and holidays), or it makes for a nice walk from the Casita.
197 locals recommend
The University of Arizona
1200 East University Boulevard
197 locals recommend
Beautiful campus, wonderful for walking or just hanging out. I never get tired of looking at the architecture and landscaping. There is often parking on Cherry Street (on the weekends and holidays), or it makes for a nice walk from the Casita.
A re-creation of the Spanish Colonial walled garden that was part of Tucson’s historic San Agustin Mission. Located on its original site west of downtown Tucson.
14 locals recommend
Mission Garden
946 W Mission Ln
14 locals recommend
A re-creation of the Spanish Colonial walled garden that was part of Tucson’s historic San Agustin Mission. Located on its original site west of downtown Tucson.
100+ miles of paved walking and bike path that circumnavigates Tucson with various parking/access points. https://www.tucsontopia.com/chuck-huckelberry-loop/
44 locals recommend
The Loop
Chuck Huckelberry Loop
44 locals recommend
100+ miles of paved walking and bike path that circumnavigates Tucson with various parking/access points. https://www.tucsontopia.com/chuck-huckelberry-loop/

Shopping

Unique shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, bar, and cafe all made from repurposed shipping containers. Outdoor seating only. Really good casual Japanese food a Kukai.
68 locals recommend
MSA Annex
267 South Avenida del Convento
68 locals recommend
Unique shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, bar, and cafe all made from repurposed shipping containers. Outdoor seating only. Really good casual Japanese food a Kukai.
Not particularly close to the apartment, but this is where I buy my jeans. Located in a nice strip mall with other shops, restaurants, and a Whole Foods market.
Loop Jean Company
7047 N Oracle Rd
Not particularly close to the apartment, but this is where I buy my jeans. Located in a nice strip mall with other shops, restaurants, and a Whole Foods market.
High-performance bike shop with quality service and repair.
Copper Spoke Cycles
5626 E Broadway Blvd
High-performance bike shop with quality service and repair.
Southwestern decor: furniture, mirrors, art, switch plates, greeting cards, paper flowers.
6 locals recommend
Borderlands Trading Company
7700 E Wrightstown Rd
6 locals recommend
Southwestern decor: furniture, mirrors, art, switch plates, greeting cards, paper flowers.
Amazing selection of Mexican pottery. Some furniture and decor as well too. Perfect social distancing shopping as it's mostly outside with a few neat gift "sheds." Integrated with a local nursery, so lots of plants too.
Zocalo Village
3384 E River Rd
Amazing selection of Mexican pottery. Some furniture and decor as well too. Perfect social distancing shopping as it's mostly outside with a few neat gift "sheds." Integrated with a local nursery, so lots of plants too.
Locally owned pet store.
OK Feed & Supply
3701 E Fort Lowell Rd
Locally owned pet store.
Shops with Southwestern-inspired art and gifts that surround a peaceful courtyard. The outdoor cafe was nice the last time I was there.
56 locals recommend
Old Town Artisans
201 N Court Ave
56 locals recommend
Shops with Southwestern-inspired art and gifts that surround a peaceful courtyard. The outdoor cafe was nice the last time I was there.
Popular shopping district with fantastic food coop, cafes, restaurants independent book store.
22 locals recommend
North 4th Avenue
North 4th Avenue
22 locals recommend
Popular shopping district with fantastic food coop, cafes, restaurants independent book store.
Longtime local bookstore. Good selection of cards, calendars, notebooks. A nice option for desert/southwestern gifty stuff too (some pottery, cactus socks, cactus candy and pens, magnets, etc.).
41 locals recommend
Antigone Books
411 N 4th Ave
41 locals recommend
Longtime local bookstore. Good selection of cards, calendars, notebooks. A nice option for desert/southwestern gifty stuff too (some pottery, cactus socks, cactus candy and pens, magnets, etc.).
Giant used bookstore. A Tucson institution. Multiple locations.
27 locals recommend
Bookmans Midtown Entertainment Exchange
4841 E Speedway Blvd
27 locals recommend
Giant used bookstore. A Tucson institution. Multiple locations.
Locally owned high-quality, great selection outdoor gear and desert-friendly clothing, shoes, luggage, guidebooks, local outdoors info, unique gifts.
Summit Hut
5251 E Speedway Blvd
Locally owned high-quality, great selection outdoor gear and desert-friendly clothing, shoes, luggage, guidebooks, local outdoors info, unique gifts.

Neighborhoods

One of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods--mostly residential with some local businesses (as well as the convention center). Just south of downtown. Classic Tucson architecture. Check out the El Tiradito shrine at night when hundreds of candles are usually burning: 420 South Main Avenue
47 locals recommend
Barrio Viejo
47 locals recommend
One of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods--mostly residential with some local businesses (as well as the convention center). Just south of downtown. Classic Tucson architecture. Check out the El Tiradito shrine at night when hundreds of candles are usually burning: 420 South Main Avenue
Great for walking, with wide streets and friendly neighbors. I love looking at the historic homes and interesting cactus and other landscaping plants. And Christmas decorations during the holiday season.
26 locals recommend
Sam Hughes
26 locals recommend
Great for walking, with wide streets and friendly neighbors. I love looking at the historic homes and interesting cactus and other landscaping plants. And Christmas decorations during the holiday season.

Yoga

Best yoga in Tucson. They are/were offering outdoor classes in the parking lot during the pandemic.
49 locals recommend
Yoga Oasis
2631 N Campbell Ave
49 locals recommend
Best yoga in Tucson. They are/were offering outdoor classes in the parking lot during the pandemic.

City/town information

Southwestern art and shopping about 45 minutes away. Many places have outdoor shopping. Nice day trip. Can combine it with a visit to the mission (Tubac Presidio State Park).
152 locals recommend
Tubac
152 locals recommend
Southwestern art and shopping about 45 minutes away. Many places have outdoor shopping. Nice day trip. Can combine it with a visit to the mission (Tubac Presidio State Park).