TUBAC, ARIZONA. A southern Arizona artist colony only 40 miles north of Mexico. Eleven Photos and history.

Welcome friends to another location in southern Arizona that is a top choice to "must visit". In our 9 years in Tucson located about 80 miles to the north, Tubac is an artist colony only about 40 miles north of the Mexican boarder. We visited a minimum of four times, especially during the huge art festival every spring that draws thousands.

Above view an artists renderring of The Spanish Presidio established in 1752. Apache's attacked repeatedly in the 1840's forcing the Sonoran (northern Mexicans) to abandon both Tubac and neighboring Tumacacori. Tubac was about non-existent until a comeback was made in the 1930-1960 period as an artist colony. Population today, about 1200.

The presidio is preserved today by the Presidio State Historic Park. There is an archeological display in Tubac, a museum
and historic buildings. But, the big attraction is the shops featuring artwork and pottery of the region. See photos below courtesy of Google images.

Above: Tubac from interstate I-19.

Tubac has the Santa Rita Mountain Range on the East and the Tumacacori Mountains on the west. The village elevation is 3200 feet. Mountain elevation 5-6 thousand feet makes Tubac's climate phenomenal. It is dry, about 16 in. rainfall per year but with low humididty and almost 300 sunny days, you just can't beat it. A 95 degree day in July with 20 percent humididty and a breeze is actually delightful!

A championship golfcourse lies next door as Green Valley is not far away, a major retirement community.

Cactus Jack's offers good authentic Mexican cuisine, but I prefer Wisdom's just 4 miles down the road. See my very recent post on Wisdom's.

Nothing beats Arizona for scenic beauty and cultural divirsity. Thanks for visiting..UPVOTE and FOLLOW.