Things To Do in Tubac
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
Tubac Attractions
The Ruby Road
If you enjoy scenic drives and don't mind gravel roads, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to drive the Ruby Road from Arivaca through Coronado National Forest to Peña Blanca Lake and Nogales. This road winds its way through the mountains just north of the Mexican border, passing Arivaca Lake before reaching picturesque Peña Blanca Lake, where the pavement resumes. Along the way, you'll pass the privately owned ghost town of Ruby (tel. 520/744-4471), which is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from dawn to dusk (admission $12). Call first to make sure the caretaker is available.
- Park/Garden
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
Although little remains of the old presidio (fort) other than buried foundation walls, this small park does a good job of presenting the region's Spanish colonial history. Park exhibits focus on the Spanish soldiers, Native Americans, religion, and contemporary Hispanic culture in… - Park/Garden
Tumacácori National Historical Park
Founded in 1691 by Jesuit missionary and explorer Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, San José de Tumacácori mission was one of the first Anglo settlements in what is today Arizona. Father Kino's mission was to convert the Pima Indians, and for the first 60 years, the mission was…
Tubac Shopping
While tourist brochures like to tout Tubac as an artists' community, the town is more of a Southwest souvenir mecca. There are a few genuine art galleries here, but you have to look hard amid the many tourist shops to find the real gems.
Some of the better fine art in the area is at the Karin Newby Gallery, Mercado de Baca, 19 Tubac Rd. (tel. 888/398-9662 or 520/398-9662; www.karinnewbygallery.com), which also has a large sculpture garden. For traditional Western art, some by members of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America, visit Big Horn Galleries, 37 Tubac Rd. (tel. 520/398-9209; www.bighorngalleries.com).
If you want to take the flavor of the area home, stop in at the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company, 1868 E. Frontage Rd. (tel. 520/398-2591; www.santacruzchili.com). At this combination store and packing plant near Tumacácori National Historical Park, you'll find all things hot (chilies, hot sauces, salsas) arranged on the shelves of one of the more genuine Tubac-area institutions. There's an amazing assortment of familiar and obscure spices for sale. In back, you can see various herbs being prepared and packaged. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm (until 3pm in summer).
Going Nuts in Sahuarita -- As you drive south from Tucson to Tubac, you pass through the town of Sahuarita, which is home to one of the largest pecan farms in the country. More than 6,000 acres surrounding Sahuarita are planted with pecan trees. At the Pecan Store, 1625 E. Sahuarita Rd., Sahuarita (tel. 800/327-3226 or 520/791-2062; www.pecanstore.com), you can go "nuts" stocking up on everything from fresh pecans to chocolate toffee pecans to mesquite-spiced pecans (my personal favorite). The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
