Road Trip to Tucson Arizona from Palm Springs California

One of the 200-plus murals in Tucson Arizona Photo by Kathy Condon

Tucson, Arizona, situated 116 miles southeast of Phoenix and 69 miles from the Mexican border, is the second-largest city in Arizona. It had been on my radar to visit ever since I moved to Southern California. I knew I could travel by car and make it a fun road trip with a friend.

Why you ask? I wanted to see Biosphere 2, a scientific laboratory where six people were enclosed in a glass dome-like structure for two years. And visit the town of Tubac, famous for the number of artists that have settled in the area, near Tumacacori National Historic Park.

The host has provided support for various aspects of the trip, including accommodations, activities, meals, and other services. However, the opinions expressed in this post are honest and reflect the author's genuine experience.

Preparing for the Road Trip

With the knowledge that we would be driving through the Sonoran Desert for much of our trip, we made sure to have plenty of water. It is well known that the stretch between Palm Springs and Phoenix (approximately a 3-hour drive) has long stretches with few services.

First Stop Quartzsite Arizona

California residents are well aware that gas prices are considerably lower in Arizona, so we made Quartzsite our first stop to stretch and refuel the car. It’s about a two-hour drive from Palm Springs. Especially during the winter months, you can find food trucks and local restaurants alerting travelers about their specialties.

Once we had a stretch, a snack, and a car refueled, we headed back to Highway 10—the only highway you stay on for the entire trip to Tucson. Our GPS showed us we would arrive at our destination at 3:00 p.m., perfect for checking into our bed and breakfast.

Next Stop Tucson Arizona

Highway 10 loops around Phoenix, so we never found ourselves stuck in traffic for the entire journey. Admittedly, the scenery between Phoenix and Tucson was more interesting, for it is evident that the population is starting to fill in the 110-mile gap between the cities.

Approaching the city, we noticed a few high-rise buildings, which we learned were housing for the University of Arizona students. Otherwise, the buildings were primarily two-story.

Night Scene at the Armory Park Inn Photo by Kathy Condon

Arrival at our Bed and Breakfast

I usually make it a habit not to research too much about my housing accommodations, which organizations like Visit Tucson arrange. I prefer to let the place unfold and use my sense of observation as I check in and I am shown to my room. Thus, I didn’t know what to expect.

We pulled up in front of The Amory Park Inn, located in what appeared to be a regular residential area. Walking to the front door, we passed under an enormous tree that shaded the area. The door was locked. So, we pressed a buzzer, and very soon we were greeted by Amy, owner of the inn, wearing a peach-colored dress that perfectly highlighted her face, which beamed with a huge smile.

We walked in, and soon a sense of awe flooded over us, for before us there was a grand hallway with comfortable sitting areas on either side, and artwork gracing the long walls. In the far distance, a loft crossed the width of the room. There was a lightness about this place, and Amy's greeting made us feel immediately that we were in for a very special visit here.

Our first instincts were correct. This is one of the most special bed and breakfasts I have ever stayed at. Thus, I will be writing a full review of it, so stay tuned. You can't possibly go wrong staying here while exploring Tucson.

Impressions of Tucson

Hispanic Influence Everywhere

I should have figured it out, but it has more Hispanic influence than I expected. My traveling companion was from Mexico. She explained the terminology to me and how a particular experience reflected Mexican culture on multiple occasions. At museums, descriptions were in both English and Spanish.

The Old West Reflected in Culture

If you love everything Western, you are more than likely to find it here. We marveled at the ornate cowgirls' boots worn by many of the younger women. While we did not visit one, large dude ranches welcome guests.

Galeria Mitotera Owners Mel and Melissa Dominquez Photo by Kathy Condon

Art is Everywhere

I heard that there are over 200 murals in Tucson. Everywhere you go, there is art displayed. We sat down with Galeria Mitotera owners, Mel and Melissa Dominquez, who ended up moving to Tucson from Los Angeles. She was born here, but her husband saw the wisdom of finding an area where his art could flourish. Not only did it flourish, but they have also purchased a large warehouse and will be expanding, making room available for artists to set up their studios.

Mission San Xavier del Back Photo by Kathy Condon

Tucson California Honors Its History

A visit to Tumacacori National Historical Park, on the Santa Cruz River Valley carefully watches over the remaining ruins of three Spanish colonial missions. While the footprints are there, precious artifacts have disappeared, but one gets the sense of the people who populated the area.

On the other hand, Mission San Xavier Del Bac's refurbished pristine exterior serves as a safe cocoon for the original stunning wood carvings, paintings, and statues. This Franciscan Mission, located on the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation, is often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of North America."

Seis Restaurant Tacos Photo by Kathy Condon

Dining is Back to Its Roots

This may surprise you as much as it did me when I learned about it at the IMM Travel Conference in New York City last January. Tucson has been one of two cities named by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy in the United States. The other one is San Antonio.

After digging, I found this definition: To become a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, a city must demonstrate a strong culinary identity and a vibrant gastronomy community, incorporating local know-how, traditional practices, and a commitment to sustainable food systems.

Digging further, I learned that considering this designation, Tucson is believed to be the first site within the current borders of the United States, 4,000 years ago, to have cultivated land.

It was always fun to pick up a menu, as I never knew which indigenous ingredient would serve as the main dish or condiment for the many culinary choices. Mexican Foodies will have a field day trying one of the many outstanding restaurants.

An abundance of Corporate Headquarters.

I certainly wasn’t expecting to discover the corporate headquarters for Caterpillar, Honeywell, Intuit, Raytheon Technologies (Missile & Defense Division), and IBM looming in the Tucson cityscape.

University of Arizona Campus Photo by Kathy Condon

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona’s presence is everywhere. The campus is worth walking through, for art pops up in unexpected places. Additionally, the University of Arizona boasts the Center for Creative Photography and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. A large art complex also houses the theatre, adding dimension to the University's art offerings.

People Love Their City, and People Are So Friendly

Yes, many of the places I visited were set up by Visit Tucson. Still, it was when we talked to total strangers and saw their faces light up when we asked about their city—sometimes it was even hard to get away because of their enthusiasm, as they shared information about a city that appears to be going through an awakening.

More to Come About Tucson

Notice that I mentioned at the beginning of this article that I was excited about Biosphere 2 and Tubac, and I haven’t even written about it yet, yet I’m already up to 1100 words. You can tell that my enthusiasm for my visit to Tucson is abundant. A friend said, “Kathy, I haven’t heard you so eager to return to a place in a long time. “I will be writing more about Tucson and will link articles on it that may be posted in other publications.

As summer approaches, Tucson will be hot, but I encourage you to add it to your list of places to visit in the future. Numerous airlines offer flights from Palm Springs to Tucson, with most flights making a stop in Phoenix. I'm glad I took a road trip there, and if you have time, I highly encourage you to do the same. Maybe even break up the trip in Phoenix.

In the meantime, I trust that my enthusiasm for this sometimes-overlooked city has caught your attention. Stay tuned for my adventures at the Biosphere 2 and Tubac, and more details about the terrific Amory Park Inn as your destination from which to explore.

Kathy Condon Journalist and Award-Winning Author

Kathy Condon is a travel writer and award-winning author. Her niche is in luxury experiences, hidden delights, and communities that live in the shadows of others.   

760-902-3094              www.PalmSpringsInsiderGuide.com   kathy@kathycondon.net