Tubac, Arizona

The sleepy Village of Tubac is about 50 miles south of Tucson in southern Arizona and was founded as a presidio (fort) by the Spanish in 1752. It was the first European settlement in Arizona, and for years, it was the farthest outpost on the Spanish frontier. In the early days, Apache raids were a fact of life for Tubac’s residents. The town was abandoned and left to ruin eight times.

Then in the late 1940s, painter and illustrator Dale Nichols opened a studio here. Within a few years, artists from around the country were coming to study with him, igniting a Tubac renaissance. In 2002, the Tubac Golf Resort, a former hacienda and cattle ranch, underwent a $40 million renovation, attracting even more people.

Today, Tubac is a peaceful, thriving artists’ colony and home to more than 80 galleries, boutiques, art studios and gift shops, all within walking distance of each other. The atmosphere is a little rustic and a little dusty but also understatedly chic. It is a slice of the civilized world in a stark natural landscape, a place where the quiet life is savored. Centuries-old adobe buildings, most of which are now studios or shops, line the town’s main streets.

There is no official city government, but there is a fire department, the Chamber of Commerce and the Tubac Historical Society.  Two churches, a couple of parks and the Tubac Market, which receives rave reviews, are here as well. Vacationers come to stroll a few cobbled sidewalks, dine in some very good restaurants and shop in tasteful, minimalist art galleries.

Speaking of art, it is everywhere. The Tubac Center of the Arts exhibits the works of local artists, including silk screeners, jewelers, bronze sculptors and potters, and it offers classes and workshops for the public. February’s juried Tubac Festival of the Arts, a wonderful showcase of talented artists from around the country, may be the best event of the year.

Tubac’s history is never far from view. Four nations, Spain, Mexico, the Confederate States of America and the United States, have laid claim to this town over the years, and vestiges of their rule are showcased at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, located in Tubac’s “Old Town.” Here, at the original foundation of the 1752 presidio, re-enactments and an old underground museum with well-worn steps, remind all of Tubac’s past.

Residents enjoy plenty of outdoor spaces. Tumacacori National Historic Park is a great location for backpacking, mountain biking and lots of bird watching. Madera Canyon is wonderful for hiking, and the Anza Trail that runs along the cottonwood forests from Tumacacori National Historic Park to Green Valley provides even more chances to hike and bike. Exploring nearby historic Spanish missions gives residents even more to do.

Golfers love this area as 10 courses are within 30 minutes. Tubac Golf Resort provides challenging play in a spectacular setting along the Santa Cruz River. The Rio Rico Resort features one of Arizona’s top rated courses, the Robert Trent Jones Championship Course.

Shopping venues for items other than pieces of art are not plentiful, but most of the basics are here.  Restaurants are numerous, and many chefs consider their dishes works of art. The farmers’ market is popular spot.

Tubac does not have a public transportation system, but it is a walkable community. No one is in much of a hurry to get anywhere, anyway.

The Tubac Community Center houses the public library and serves hot meals to seniors, while the Santa Cruz County Council on Aging provides a number of services, including recreation classes, legal and tax assistance and food assistance.

With an elevation of 3,250 feet above sea level, Tubac stays cooler in the summers than nearby Tucson. Still, July and August temperatures are usually in the high-90s, with some day having temperatures in the low-100s. Winter low temperatures are in the 30s and 40s, with highs in the 50s and 60s. Rainfall averages 13 inches per year and comes during the summer monsoon season.

Population: 1,300
Median Home Price: $500,000
Crime Rate: Below average
Percentage Age 45 or Better: 75%
Hospital: Mariposa Tubac Regional Health Center in town for primary care; Santa Cruz Valley Hospital, 20 miles away, for emergency care
Political Leanings: Liberal