Tucson, Arizona

==Geography==
[[File:TucsonAZ ISS009-E-10382.jpg|thumb|left|Tucson, as seen from space: The city's four major malls are indicated by blue arrows.]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], as of 2010, the City of Tucson has a land area of {{convert|226.71|sqmi}}. The city's elevation is {{convert|2643|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level (as measured at the Tucson International Airport).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/TUS |title=KTUS Tucson International Airport Tucson, Arizona, USA |website=Airnav.com |access-date=January 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717041739/http://airnav.com/airport/TUS |archive-date=July 17, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tucson is on an [[alluvial plain]] in the [[Sonoran Desert]], surrounded by five minor ranges of mountains: the [[Santa Catalina Mountains]] and the [[Tortolita Mountains]] to the north, the [[Santa Rita Mountains]] to the south, the [[Rincon Mountains]] to the east, and the [[Tucson Mountains]] to the west. Tucson Mountains include {{convert|4687|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} Wasson Peak. The highest point in the area is [[Mount Wrightson]], found in the Santa Rita Mountains at {{convert|9453|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level.

[[File:Carnegiea gigantea-3.jpg|thumb|upright|During wintertime, snow may fall in Tucson on rare occasions.]]

Tucson is {{convert|116|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Phoenix and {{convert|69|mi|0|abbr=on}} north of the [[Mexico–United States border|United States–Mexico border]].{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} The 2020 United States census puts the city's population at 542,629 with a metropolitan area population at 1,043,433. In 2020, Tucson ranked as the 33rd-largest city and 53rd-largest metropolitan area in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title= QuickFacts: Tucson city, Arizona |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/tucsoncityarizona/PST045222 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=U.S. Census Bureau |language=en}}</ref> A major city in the Arizona Sun Corridor, Tucson is the largest city in southern Arizona, and the second-largest in the state after Phoenix. It is also the largest city in the area of the historic Gadsden Purchase. As of 2015, the Greater Tucson Metro area has exceeded a population of 1 million.

The city is built along the [[Santa Cruz River (Arizona)|Santa Cruz River]], formerly a perennial river. Now a dry riverbed for much of the year, it regularly floods during significant seasonal rains.

[[Interstate 10 (Arizona)|Interstate 10]] runs northwest through town, connecting Tucson to Phoenix to the northwest (on the way to its western terminus in [[Santa Monica, California]]), and to [[Las Cruces, New Mexico]] and [[El Paso, Texas]] to the southeast. (Its eastern terminus is in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]).

[[Interstate 19 (Arizona)|I-19]] runs south from Tucson toward [[Nogales, Arizona|Nogales]] and the U.S.–Mexico border. I-19 is the only Interstate highway that uses "kilometer posts" instead of "[[milepost]]s". However, speed limits are marked in miles per hour and kilometers per hour.

===Neighborhoods===

====Downtown and Central Tucson====
[[File:TucsonDowntownView1.jpg|thumb|Downtown Tucson viewed from the Tucson Mountains]]
[[File:Tuscon 19thCentury Adobe.jpg|thumb|right|A 19th-century adobe house in the Armory Park neighborhood]]

Similar to many other cities in the Western US, Tucson was developed by European Americans on a [[grid plan]] starting in the late 19th century, with the city center at Stone Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. While this intersection was initially near the [[Centroid|geographic center]] of Tucson, the center has shifted as the city has expanded far to the east. Development to the west was effectively blocked by the Tucson Mountains. Covering a large geographic area, Tucson has many distinct neighborhoods.

Tucson's earliest neighborhoods, some of which were redeveloped and covered by the [[Tucson Convention Center]] (TCC), include:
* El Presidio,<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.tucsonpresidiotrust.org/PDF/Presidio_map.pdf |title=The Presidio Trail |website= Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704082402/http://tucsonpresidiotrust.org/PDF/Presidio_map.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2009 }}</ref> Tucson's oldest neighborhood.
* Barrio Histórico,<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/barr/index.html |title=Barrio historico Tucson |website=The University of Arizona Library's Southwest Electronic Text Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703102438/http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/barr/index.html |archive-date=July 3, 2010 |access-date=March 12, 2010 }}</ref> also known as Barrio Libre.
* [[Armory Park Historic Residential District|Armory Park]] is directly south of downtown.
* Barrio Anita,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-well-i-hardly-knew-what-to-think-of/article_1887ad66-9cb1-5830-be34-ea2caa21be1d.html |date=April 15, 2014 |title=Street Smarts: 'Well, I hardly knew what to think of the place' was Tucsonan's first impression|first=David |last=Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620001802/https://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-well-i-hardly-knew-what-to-think-of/article_1887ad66-9cb1-5830-be34-ea2caa21be1d.html|archive-date=June 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> named for an early settler, is located between Granada Avenue and Interstate 10.
* Barrio Tiburón, now known as the Fourth Avenue arts district, was designated in territorial times as a [[red-light district]].
* Barrio El Jardín is named for an early recreational site, Levin's Gardens.
* Barrio El Hoyo is named for a lake that was part of the gardens. Before the convention center was built, the term ''El Hoyo'' (Spanish for 'pit' or 'hole') referred to this part of the city. Residents were mostly Mexican-American citizens and Mexican immigrants.
* [[Barrio Santa Rosa (Tucson, Arizona)|Barrio Santa Rosa]], dating from the 1890s, is now listed as a historic district on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

Other historical neighborhoods near downtown include:
* Feldman's, just north and northwest of the University of Arizona, the neighborhood is named for Alther M. Feldman (1833–1906), an Eastern European immigrant who arrived in Tucson ''circa'' 1878. Neighborhood streets Helen and Mabel are named for his daughters.<ref>''Images of America: Early Tucson,'' by Anne I. Woosley and the Arizona Historical Society; (c) 2008 Arcadia Publishing; {{ISBN|0-7385-5646-7}}</ref> Feldman owned a photographic studio known as the Arizona Tent Gallery.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-feldman-brought-family-to-tucson-after-s-economic/article_4451d045-997a-5c77-a892-5ef7f44ba36d.html|title=Street Smarts: Feldman brought family to Tucson after 1870s economic crash|first=David |last=Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913043440/http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-feldman-brought-family-to-tucson-after-s-economic/article_4451d045-997a-5c77-a892-5ef7f44ba36d.html|archive-date=September 13, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Menlo Park, situated west of downtown, is adjacent to Sentinel Peak.
* Iron Horse, east of Fourth Avenue and north of the railroad tracks, is named for its proximity to the railroad, informally known by that term.
* West University is between the University of Arizona and downtown.
* Dunbar Spring is west of West University.
* Pie Allen, west and south of the university near [[Tucson High School]], is named for [[Pie Allen|John Brackett "Pie" Allen]], a local entrepreneur and early mayor of Tucson.
* Sam Hughes, east of the University of Arizona, is named after a European-American pioneer in Tucson.
[[File:DTTucsonCongressSt.jpg|thumb|right|Bikes along Congress Street near Fifth Avenue]]

At the end of the 2010s, city planners and the business community worked to redevelop downtown Tucson. The primary project was Rio Nuevo, a large retail and community center that had been stalled in planning for more than a decade.<ref>{{cite news |author=Rob O'Dell |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b255ce66-e3a3-11df-aefc-001cc4c03286.html |title=Azstarnet.com |date=October 29, 2010 |access-date=January 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101210259/http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_b255ce66-e3a3-11df-aefc-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date=January 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kvoa.com/news/rio-nuevo-town-hall-packed/ |title=Kvoa.com |website=Kvoa.com |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=January 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227040633/http://www.kvoa.com/news/rio-nuevo-town-hall-packed/ |archive-date=December 27, 2011}}</ref> Downtown is generally regarded as the area bordered by 17th Street to the south, I-10 to the west, and 6th Street to the north, and Toole Avenue and the [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] (formerly [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]]) railroad tracks, site of the historic train depot<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tucsonhistoricdepot.org/1673/timeline/index.htm|title=Arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Tucson|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126134917/http://www.tucsonhistoricdepot.org/1673/timeline/index.htm|archive-date=January 26, 2011|access-date=March 12, 2012}}</ref> on the east side. Downtown is divided into the Presidio District, the Barrio Viejo, and the Congress Street Arts and Entertainment District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tucson.world-guides.com/tucson_districts.html |title=Tucson Neighbourhoods, Locations and Districts: Locations in Tucson Area, AZ, USA |website=Tucson.world-guides.com |access-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415105009/http://www.tucson.world-guides.com/tucson_districts.html |archive-date=April 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some authorities include the 4th Avenue shopping district, northeast of the rest of downtown and connected by an underpass beneath the [[Union Pacific Railroad|UPRR]] tracks.

[[File:Fox theater Tucson.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The recently restored [[Fox Tucson Theatre|Fox Theatre]] is in downtown Tucson.]]
Historic attractions downtown with rich architecture include the [[Hotel Congress]] designed in 1919, the Art Deco [[Fox Tucson Theatre|Fox Theatre]] designed in 1929, the [[Rialto Theatre (Arizona)|Rialto Theatre]] opened in 1920, and [[Augustine of Hippo|St. Augustine Cathedral]] completed in 1896.<ref>[http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=102386 Tucson, U.S.A. | Emporis.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026052349/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/?id=102386 |date=October 26, 2006 }}. Retrieved March 12, 2010.</ref> Included on the National Register of Historic Places is the old [[Pima County Courthouse]], designed by [[Roy Place]] in 1928.<ref>[http://www.azhistorytraveler.org/templates/content-view.php?nid=2&sid=546 Public Buildings – Pima County Courthouse], Arizona Heritage Traveler {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201035639/http://www.azhistorytraveler.org/templates/content-view.php?nid=2&sid=546 |date=February 1, 2015 }}</ref> The El Charro Café, Tucson's oldest restaurant, operates its main location downtown.<ref>[http://www.elcharrocafe.com/ El Charro Café] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524002650/http://www.elcharrocafe.com/ |date=May 24, 2009 }}. Retrieved March 12, 2010.</ref>

As one of the oldest parts of town, Central Tucson is anchored by the Broadway Village shopping center, designed by local architect [[Josias Joesler]] at the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Country Club Road. The 4th Avenue Shopping District between downtown, the university, and the Lost Barrio just east of downtown, also has many unique and popular stores. Local retail business in Central Tucson is densely concentrated along Fourth Avenue and the Main Gate Square on University Boulevard near the UA campus. The [[El Con Mall]] is also in the eastern part of midtown.

[[File:UAmainlibr 1008.jpg|thumb|right|[[University of Arizona]] Main Library]]

The [[University of Arizona]], chartered in 1885, is in midtown and includes [[Arizona Stadium]] and [[McKale Center]] (named for [[Pop McKale|J.F. "Pop" McKale]], a prominent coach and athletics administrator at the university).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-before-arena-road-named-for-pop-mckale/article_cd1caeba-795d-57cf-9442-337adfa391ad.html|title=Street Smarts: Before arena, road named for "Pop" McKale|first=David |last=Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912165211/http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-before-arena-road-named-for-pop-mckale/article_cd1caeba-795d-57cf-9442-337adfa391ad.html|archive-date=September 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The historic [[Tucson High Magnet School|Tucson High School]] (designed by Roy Place in 1924) was featured in the 1987 film ''Can't Buy Me Love''. The Arizona Inn (built in 1930) and the [[Tucson Botanical Gardens]] are also in Central Tucson.

Tucson's largest park, [[Reid Park]], is in midtown and includes [[Reid Park Zoo]] and [[Hi Corbett Field]]. Speedway Boulevard, a major east–west arterial road in central Tucson, was named the "ugliest street in America" by [[Life (magazine)|''Life'']] in the early 1970s, quoting Tucson Mayor [[Jim Corbett (politician)|James Corbett]].

In the late 1990s, Speedway Boulevard was awarded "Street of the Year" by ''[[Arizona Highways]].''<!-- based on what criteria? --> Speedway Boulevard was named after an historic horse racetrack, known as the [[Harlem River Drive#History|Harlem River Speedway]], and more commonly called "The Speedway", in New York City. The Tucson street was called "The Speedway" from 1904 to about 1906, when "The" was removed from the title.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-speedway-s-sports-racing-roots/article_f7b451ec-214a-5017-818c-ef3c6dae3dd5.html|title=Street Smarts: Speedway's sports racing roots|first=David |last=Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707201909/https://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-speedway-s-sports-racing-roots/article_f7b451ec-214a-5017-818c-ef3c6dae3dd5.html|archive-date=July 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of the early 21st century, Central Tucson is considered [[bicycle-friendly]]. To the east of the University of Arizona, Third Street is bike-only except for local traffic; it passes by the historic homes of the Sam Hughes neighborhood. To the west, East University Boulevard leads to the Fourth Avenue Shopping District. To the North, North Mountain Avenue has a full bike-only lane for half of the {{convert|3.5|mi|km}} to the [[Rillito River Park]] bike and walk multi-use path. To the south, North Highland Avenue leads to the Barraza-Aviation Parkway bicycle path.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-barraza-worked-to-unify-arizona-miners/article_dd19cc84-c0ef-5bff-be21-d0db8eb2d216.html|title=Street Smarts: Barraza worked to unify Arizona miners|first=David |last=Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829090330/http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-barraza-worked-to-unify-arizona-miners/article_dd19cc84-c0ef-5bff-be21-d0db8eb2d216.html|archive-date=August 29, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Southern Tucson====
[[File:TUS Terminal Front.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tucson International Airport]] when it was under renovation]]
[[South Tucson]] is the name of an independent, incorporated town of {{convert|1|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} south of downtown. It is surrounded by the City of Tucson and was incorporated in 1936 and reincorporated in 1940.

The population is about 83% Mexican-American and 10% Native American, as residents self-identify in the census. South Tucson is widely known for its many Mexican restaurants and architectural styles. Bright murals have been painted on some walls, but city policy discourages this and many have been painted over.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091104015232/http://www.arizonaguide.com/places-to-visit/tucson-southern-arizona/south-tucson Arizonaguide.com], Retrieved December 14, 2010</ref><ref>[http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/e3756840-2734-4364-aade-05974e8c5729.JPG IMG.groundspeak.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928021202/http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/e3756840-2734-4364-aade-05974e8c5729.JPG |date=September 28, 2011 }}, Retrieved December 14, 2010</ref><ref>[http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/sotucson CMS3.tucsonaz.gov] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206051411/http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/sotucson |date=December 6, 2010 }}, Retrieved December 14, 2010</ref>

The south side of the city of Tucson is generally considered to be the area around {{convert|25|sqmi|abbr=on}} south of 22nd Street, east of I-19, west of Davis Monthan Air Force Base and southwest of Aviation Parkway, and north of Los Reales Road.<ref name="Leighton-2016">{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-bloody-murder-buried-money-in-town-s-history/article_589b7264-c39a-5c25-9e60-87879987b8ab.html|title=Street Smarts: Bloody murder, buried money in town's history|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913042507/http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-bloody-murder-buried-money-in-town-s-history/article_589b7264-c39a-5c25-9e60-87879987b8ab.html|archive-date=September 13, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Tucson International Airport]] and [[Tucson Electric Park]] are located here.<ref name="Leighton-2016"/>

====Western Tucson====
[[File:Panorama-nw.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|Panorama of western suburbs]]

The West Side has areas of both urban and suburban development. It is generally defined as the area west of I-10. Western Tucson encompasses the banks of the Santa Cruz River and the foothills of the [[Tucson Mountains]]. Area attractions include the International Wildlife Museum and Sentinel Peak. The Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa serves travelers and residents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-starr-pass-blvd-has-telegraph-line-link/article_ed43b3c5-5d48-55ae-a7c8-483c8747778f.html|title=Street Smarts: Starr Pass Blvd. has telegraph-line link|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912155422/http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-starr-pass-blvd-has-telegraph-line-link/article_ed43b3c5-5d48-55ae-a7c8-483c8747778f.html|archive-date=September 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> As travelers pass the Tucson Mountains, they enter the area commonly referred to as "west of" Tucson or "Old West Tucson".<ref>[http://oldwesttucson.com Old West Tucson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921133933/http://oldwesttucson.com/ |date=September 21, 2017 }}. Old West Tucson. Retrieved on July 12, 2013.</ref> In this large, undulating plain extending south into the [[Altar Valley]], rural residential development predominates. Attractions include [[Saguaro National Park|Saguaro National Park West]], and movie set/theme park developed at the [[Old Tucson Studios]].

On Sentinel Peak, just west of downtown, a giant "A" was installed in honor of the University of Arizona, resulting in the nickname "A" Mountain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-oddity-what-s-with-crater-on-edge-of-a/article_d306b1d1-1519-510d-b926-4b3eb3e703e3.html|title=Tucson Oddity: What's with crater on edge of 'A' Mountain?|author=Tom Beal|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163444/https://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-oddity-what-s-with-crater-on-edge-of-a/article_d306b1d1-1519-510d-b926-4b3eb3e703e3.html|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting in about 1915, an annual tradition developed for freshmen to whitewash the A, which was visible for miles. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, the A was painted red, white, and blue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tafoya |first=Nathan |date=September 29, 2003 |title=Freshmen get blue on A-Day |url=https://wc.arizona.edu/papers/97/25/01_2.html |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Arizona Daily Wildcat}}</ref> At the beginning of the [[Iraq War]] in 2003, antiwar activists painted the A black. Competition ensued, with various sides repainting the A in different colors until the city council intervened and made the red, white, and blue colors official. In 2013, the color scheme changed back to white.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tucson.com/news/local/tim-steller-big-a-will-revert-to-white-so-let/article_5ffe3c11-d694-56da-be46-60c2a5d3c44e.html |title=Tim Steller: Big 'A' will revert to white, so let's color this battle over |website=tucson.com |access-date=January 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308174522/http://tucson.com/news/local/tim-steller-big-a-will-revert-to-white-so-let/article_5ffe3c11-d694-56da-be46-60c2a5d3c44e.html |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Peak-2020">{{Cite web |title=A Mountain, or Sentinel Peak |url=https://www.library.pima.gov/content/a-mountain-aka-sentinel-peak/ |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Pima County Public Library}}</ref> Another color may be decided by a biennial election. With the tricolor scheme, some observers complain the shape of the A is hard to distinguish from the background of the peak. Since 1993, the A has been painted green for St. Patrick's Day. It has also been given other color schemes for different causes.<ref name="Peak-2020" />

====Northern Tucson====
North Tucson includes the urban neighborhoods of Amphitheater and [[Flowing Wells, Arizona|Flowing Wells]]. Usually considered the area north of Fort Lowell Road, North Tucson includes some of Tucson's primary commercial zones ([[Tucson Mall]] and the Oracle Road Corridor). Many of the city's most upscale [[boutiques]], restaurants, and art galleries are also on the north side, including St. Philip's Plaza. The plaza is directly adjacent to the historic [[St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church]] (built in 1936).

The north side also is home to the suburban community of [[Catalina Foothills, Arizona|Catalina Foothills]], in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of the city limits. This community includes many of the area's most expensive homes, sometimes multimillion-dollar estates. The Foothills area is generally defined as north of River Road, east of Oracle Road<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-how-oracle-road-came-to-be-named-for/article_f3bf19c2-e2b0-5192-92c6-f7dabe3204a0.html|title=Street Smarts: How Oracle Road came to be named for a fast ship with a teetotaling crew|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707230849/https://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-how-oracle-road-came-to-be-named-for/article_f3bf19c2-e2b0-5192-92c6-f7dabe3204a0.html|archive-date=July 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and west of [[Sabino Canyon|Sabino Creek]]. Some of the Tucson area's major resorts are in the Catalina Foothills, including [[Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort|Hacienda Del Sol]], Westin La Paloma Resort, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and [[Canyon Ranch|Canyon Ranch Resort]]. [[La Encantada (shopping center)|La Encantada]], an outdoor shopping mall, is also in the Foothills.

The [[DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District|DeGrazia Gallery of the Sun]] is near the intersection of Swan Road and Skyline Drive. Built by artist [[Ettore DeGrazia|Ted DeGrazia]] starting in 1951, the {{convert|10|acre|ha|adj=on}} property is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and features an eclectic chapel, an art gallery, and a museum.

[[File:Northwest Metro Tucson from the Santa Catalina Mountains.jpg|thumb|right|Northwestern suburbs viewed from the Santa Catalina Mountains]]

The expansive area northwest of the city limits is diverse, ranging from the rural communities of [[Catalina, Arizona|Catalina]] and parts of the town of [[Marana, Arizona|Marana]], the small suburb of [[Picture Rocks, Arizona|Picture Rocks]], the town of [[Oro Valley, Arizona|Oro Valley]] in the western foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and residential areas in the northeastern foothills of the Tucson Mountains. Continental Ranch (Marana), Dove Mountain (Marana), and Rancho Vistoso (Oro Valley), and Saddlebrooke (North Oro Valley) are all master planned communities in the northwest that have thousands of residents.

The community of [[Casas Adobes, Arizona|Casas Adobes]] is also on the Northwest side, with the distinction of being Tucson's first suburb, established in the late 1940s. Casas Adobes is centered on the historic [[Casas Adobes Plaza]] (built in 1948). Casas Adobes is also home to [[Tohono Chul Park]], which is now within the town of Oro Valley, (a nature preserve) near the intersection of North Oracle Road and West Ina Road. The [[2011 Tucson shooting|attempted assassination]] of Representative [[Gabby Giffords]], which resulted in the murders of chief judge for the [[United States District Court for the District of Arizona|U.S. District Court for Arizona]], [[John Roll]], and five other people on January 8, 2011, occurred at the La Toscana Village in Casas Adobes. The [[Foothills Mall (Arizona)|Foothills Mall]] is also on the northwest side in Casas Adobes.

This area is home to many of the Tucson area's golf courses and resorts, including the Preserve and Mountainview Golf Clubs at Saddlebrooke, Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Oro Valley, the Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa, and Westward Look Resort. The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain, the second [[Ritz Carlton]] resort in Arizona, which also includes a golf course, opened in the foothills of the [[Tortolita Mountains]] in northeast Marana in 2009.

====Eastern Tucson====
East Tucson is relatively new compared to other parts of the city, developed between the 1950s and the 1970s,{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} with developments such as [[Desert Palms Park, Tucson|Desert Palms Park]]. It is generally classified as the area of the city east of Swan Road, with above-average real estate values relative to the rest of the city. The area includes urban and suburban development near the [[Rincon Mountains]]. East Tucson includes [[Saguaro National Park|Saguaro National Park East]]. Tucson's "Restaurant Row" is also on the east side, along with a significant corporate and financial presence. Restaurant Row is sandwiched by three of Tucson's storied Vicinages: Harold Bell Wright Estates,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/harold-bell-wright-the-inspiration-for-tucson-vicinage/article_33e43eba-bfe3-5809-a83c-bacf4194ba1f.html|title=Harold Bell Wright the inspiration for Tucson vicinage|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=November 25, 2014 |access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419204851/https://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/harold-bell-wright-the-inspiration-for-tucson-vicinage/article_33e43eba-bfe3-5809-a83c-bacf4194ba1f.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> named after the author's ranch which occupied some of that area before the depression; the Tucson Country Club (the third to bear the name Tucson Country Club),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-country-club-golf-links-used-to-be-one/article_7000c651-d111-5e99-b212-46b60d29e769.html|title=Street Smarts: Country Club, Golf Links used to be one road|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=April 27, 2015 |access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912225710/http://tucson.com/news/blogs/streetsmarts/street-smarts-country-club-golf-links-used-to-be-one/article_7000c651-d111-5e99-b212-46b60d29e769.html|archive-date=September 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Dorado Country Club. Tucson's largest office building is 5151 East Broadway in east Tucson, completed in 1975. The first phases of Williams Centre, a mixed-use, master-planned development on Broadway near Craycroft Road,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/engineer-businessman-craycroft-built-impressive-home-for-its-time/article_088185c3-ab50-5d95-ad95-c8d91e711cc3.html|title=Engineer-businessman Craycroft built impressive home for its time|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912225659/http://tucson.com/news/local/engineer-businessman-craycroft-built-impressive-home-for-its-time/article_088185c3-ab50-5d95-ad95-c8d91e711cc3.html|archive-date=September 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> were opened in 1987. [[Park Place (Tucson, Arizona)|Park Place]], a recently renovated shopping center, is also along Broadway (west of Wilmot Road).

Near the intersection of Craycroft and Ft. Lowell Roads are the remnants of the Historic Fort Lowell. This area has become one of Tucson's iconic neighborhoods. In 1891, the Fort was abandoned and much of the interior was stripped of their useful components and it quickly fell into ruin. In 1900, three of the officer buildings were purchased for use as a sanitarium. The sanitarium was then sold to Harvey Adkins in 1928. The Bolsius family – Pete, Nan and [[Charles Bolsius|Charles]] – purchased and renovated surviving adobe buildings of the Fort, transforming them into spectacular artistic southwestern architectural examples. Their woodwork, plaster treatment and sense of proportion drew on their Dutch heritage and New Mexican experience.

Other artists and academics throughout the middle of the 20th century, including Win Ellis, [[Jack Maul]], Madame [[Germaine Cheruy]] and [[René Cheruy]], Giorgio Belloli, Charles Bode, [[Veronica Hughart]], [[Edward H. Spicer]] and [[Rosamond Spicer]], [[Hazel Larson Archer]] and Ruth Brown, renovated adobes, built homes and lived in the area. The artist colony attracted writers and poets including beat generation Alan Harrington and [[Jack Kerouac]] whose visit is documented in his iconic book ''[[On the Road]]''. This rural pocket in the middle of the city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each year in February the vicinage celebrates its history in the City Landmark it owns and restored the [[San Pedro Chapel]].

[[File:B52sdestroyed.jpg|thumb|right|Retired B-52s are stored in the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|boneyard]] at [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]].]]

Situated between the [[Santa Catalina Mountains]] and the [[Rincon Mountains]] near [[Redington Pass]] northeast of the city limits is the affluent community of [[Tanque Verde, Arizona|Tanque Verde]]. The Arizona National Golf Club, Forty-Niners Country Club, and the historic Tanque Verde Guest Ranch are also in northeast Tucson.

Southeast Tucson continues to experience rapid residential development. The area includes [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]]. The area is considered to be south of Golf Links Road. It is the home of Santa Rita High School, Chuck Ford Park (Lakeside Park), [[Lakeside Lake]], Lincoln Park (upper and lower), The Lakecrest Vicinagess, and Pima Community College East Campus. The Atterbury Wash with its access to excellent bird watching is also in the Southeast Tucson area. The suburban community of [[Rita Ranch]] houses many of the military families from Davis-Monthan, and is near the southeasternmost expansion of the current city limits. Close by Rita Ranch and also within the city limits lies Civano,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-civano-honors-notable-tucsonans-who-gave-to-their/article_ed9df1c4-0cca-5f69-b59e-1c4dc477b236.html|title=Street Smarts: Civano honors notable Tucsonans who gave to their community|author=David Leighton|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star|date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707202343/https://tucson.com/news/local/street-smarts-civano-honors-notable-tucsonans-who-gave-to-their/article_ed9df1c4-0cca-5f69-b59e-1c4dc477b236.html|archive-date=July 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> a planned development meant to showcase ecologically sound building practices and lifestyles.

===Climate===
Tucson has a hot [[desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BWh''), with two major seasons, a hot summer and mild winter. Tucson averages {{convert|10.61|in|mm|1}} of precipitation per year, concentrated during the Pacific storms of winter and the [[North American Monsoon]] of summer. Fall and spring tend to be sunny and dry.<ref>McKnight & Hess, pp. 212 ''ff'', "Climate Zones and Types: Dry Climates (Zone B)".</ref> Despite being at a more southerly latitude than Phoenix, Tucson is slightly cooler and wetter due to a variety of factors, including elevation and [[orographic lift]] in surrounding mountains, though Tucson does occasionally see warmer daytime temperatures in the winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-weather/2017/12/01/why-tucson-winter-can-be-warmer-than-phoenix/903557001/ |title=Why Tucson can be warmer than Phoenix in winter |publisher=azcentral.com |access-date=June 13, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Wasson.jpg|thumb|right|Snow on Wasson Peak]]
[[File:Tucsonmonsoon.jpg|thumb|right|Monsoon clouds blanketed the Catalina Mountains in August 2005.]]
[[File:Saguaro Sunset.jpg|thumb|right|Saguaro at sunset in Saguaro National Park Rincon District]]

Summer is characterized by average daily high temperatures between {{convert|98|and|102|°F|°C|0}} and low temperatures between {{convert|71|and|77|°F|°C|0}}. Early summer is characterized by low humidity and clear skies; mid- and late summer are characterized by higher humidity, cloudy skies, and frequent rain. The sun is intense in Tucson during part of the year, and those who spend time outdoors need protection. Recent studies show that the rate of skin cancer in Arizona is at least three times higher than in more northerly regions. Additionally, [[heat stroke]] is a concern for hikers, mountain bikers, and adventurers who explore canyons, open desert lands, and other exposed areas.<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 11568742 | doi=10.1067/mjd.2001.114742 | volume=45 | issue=4 | title=Trends in the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers in southeastern Arizona, 1985-1996 | journal=J Am Acad Dermatol | pages=528–36 | last1 = Harris | first1 = RB | last2 = Griffith | first2 = K | last3 = Moon | first3 = TE| year=2001 }}</ref>

While monsoon season officially begins on June 15, the arrival of the North American Monsoon is unpredictable, as it varies from year to year. On average, Tucson receives its first monsoon storms around July 3. Monsoon activity generally persists through August and often into September.<ref name="moonsoon-2006">[http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/twc/monsoon/monsoon.php NWS Tucson Office Monsoon tracker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818053548/http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/twc/monsoon/monsoon.php |date=August 18, 2006 }}. Retrieved March 12, 2010.</ref> During the monsoon, the [[relative humidity|humidity]] is much higher than the rest of the year. It begins with clouds building up from the south in the early afternoon, followed by intense thunderstorms and rainfall, which can cause [[flash floods]]. The evening sky at this time of year is often pierced with dramatic lightning strikes. Large areas of the city do not have [[storm sewer]]s, so monsoon rains flood the main thoroughfares, usually for no longer than a few hours. A few underpasses in Tucson have "feet of water" scales painted on their supports to discourage fording by automobiles during a rainstorm.<ref>Two underpasses leading towards downtown Tucson from the north, at Sixth Avenue and Stone Avenue, have such "feet of water" scales.</ref> Arizona traffic code Title 28–910, the so-called "Stupid Motorist Law", was instituted in 1995 to discourage people from entering flooded roadways. If the road is flooded and a barricade is in place, motorists who drive around the barricade can be charged up to $2000 for costs involved in rescuing them.<ref>[http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/28/00910.htm&Title=28&DocType=ARS/ Arizona State Legislature, ARS 28–910, Liability for emergency responses in flood areas; definitions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923094242/http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=%2Fars%2F28%2F00910.htm&Title=28&DocType=ARS%2F |date=September 23, 2016 }}. Retrieved March 12, 2010.</ref> Despite the warnings and precautions, three Tucson drivers have drowned between 2004 and 2010.{{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}

The weather in the fall is much like spring, dry, with warm/cool nights and warm/hot days. Temperatures above {{convert|100|°F|0}} are possible into early October. Temperatures decline at the quickest rate in October and November, and are normally the coolest in late December and early January.

Winters in Tucson are mild relative to other parts of the United States. Average daytime highs range between {{convert|65|and|70|°F|°C|0}}, with overnight lows between {{convert|40|and|44|°F|°C|0}}. Tucson typically averages three hard freezes per winter season, with temperatures dipping to the mid- or low 20s (−7 to −4&nbsp;°C), but this is typically limited to only a very few nights. Although rare, snow occasionally falls in lower elevations in Tucson and is common in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The most recent snowfall was on March 2, 2023, when a [[Early-March 2023 North American storm complex|winter storm]] caused snow to fall throughout most of the southwest. Tucson airport recorded {{convert|1.0|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow, the seventh heaviest March snowfall on record.<ref>[https://twitter.com/NWSTucson/status/1631321696786579456 The one inch of snow at the Tucson International Airport ranks as the 7th highest March snow. It is also the 10th occurrence of measurable snow in Tucson during March. The highest March snow ampunt was 6.0" (3/12/1922) & overall record 1 day snow is 6.8" (12/8/1971). #azwx], NWS Tucson, ''[[Twitter]]'', March 2, 2023</ref>

Early spring is characterized by gradually rising temperatures and several weeks of vivid wildflower blooms beginning in late February and into March. During this time of year the [[diurnal temperature variation]] normally attains its maximum, often surpassing {{convert|30|F-change}}.

[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Tucson Area, AZ(ThreadEx).svg|thumb|right|Climate chart for Tucson]]
Since records began in 1894, the record maximum temperature was {{convert|117|°F|0}} on June 27, 1990, and the record minimum temperature was {{convert|6|°F|0}} on January 7, 1913. There are an average of 158 days annually with highs of {{convert|90|°F|0}} or higher and an average of 12 days with lows reaching or below the freezing mark. Average annual precipitation is {{convert|10.61|in|abbr=on}}. On average, 47.4 days have measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1905, with {{convert|24.17|in|abbr=on}} and the driest year was 2020 with {{convert|4.16|in|abbr=on}}. The most precipitation in one month was {{convert|8.06|in|abbr=on}} in July 2021. The most precipitation in 24 hours was {{convert|3.93|in|abbr=on}} on July 29, 1958. Annual snowfall averages {{convert|0.1|in|cm|abbr=on}}. The most snow in one winter was {{convert|6.8|in|cm|abbr=on}} in winter 1971–1972. The most snow in one month was {{convert|6.8|in|cm|abbr=on}} in December 1971.

{{Tucson, Arizona weatherbox}}
{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Tucson, Arizona.tab
| title=Tucson monthly weather statistics
}}