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Topic: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios? (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Yahoo Message Number: 148690
My partner and I are planning to spend a couple of months in the Tuscon area, or the Southwest in general this winter. I would love to get some suggestions about good places to stay, good RV repair or maintenance shops, things to do, sights to see.
We were there in 2010 for a few days and really enjoyed it, but probably barely scratched the surface. Favorite activities are hiking, birdwatching, anything to do with nature, museum and culture and good food! Also, be nice to know if any LD'ers will be out and about in that area.

Thanks for any help.

Bonnie Jacobs Wanting to get away from winter in Kentucky
Re: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148696
"I would love to get some suggestions about good places to stay, good RV repair or maintenance shops, things to do, sights to see."

If you make it to Southern CA. and need RV repairs Larry Wade is the man to see. His work is first rate, would not let anyone else work on my LD. Consider a trip to Morro Bay and stay at the beautiful state park. Spendy at $35 a night but a great, secure, bright place with nice clean restrooms, showers, etc. All spaces have a good picnic table and the park is kept exceptionally clean and well groomed.

Nearby is Hearst Castle, San Simeon, Cambria, lovely beaches, inviting town of Morro Bay, more things to do then I could list here. You wont regret it.

Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys
Re: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148697
Depending upon your preferences, there are a couple of low-key commercial parks off Ajo Way (Route 86) on San Joaquin Road south of Tucson downtown.  They are:
 Desert Trails RV Park...very crowded, very popular with many, many repeat seasonals and lots of activities and quite friendly.
 and immediately next door, Justin's Diamond RV Park...very generous spaces, also attracts repeat seasonals.  Seasonals may have the opportunity to park backed up to the desert...with the LDs, you get superior views through your back window!
 Both parks are immediately adjacent to Saguaro NP West and both offer plenty of hiking and birding and desert critters (all in a good way).

We have stayed at both places and liked them both.
 On the corner of Ajo and San Joaquin there has been a BLM camping location...we  haven't been in the area for a couple of years, so I cannot tell you if it's still happening.  When we were last there we saw many dry camping RVs scattered about...including an LD.
 Ajo Way will take you down to the little town of Ajo and on to Organ Pipe NP.  On the way you'll go past Kitt Peak which does offer tours of their observatory.
 Just about 40 miles east of Tucson along I-10 is Benson, AZ...we have stayed there several times using it as a base to explore Fort Huachuca (very interesting), Tombstone (terrific), Kartchner Caverns, the Amerind Institute, and the town of Bisbee which has quite the history, is a real artsy place, has an excellent museum and the Queen Mine which offers tours deep into the earth.
 We have stayed as recently as last April at the Saguaro SKP park and have also stayed at the Butterfield RV Resort.

Both are great.

Have fun!

TinaP 2006 MB...being washed as I  write in prep for fleeing for the winter!
2006 MB
Re: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148719
I have family in Tucson, and I'm down there every Thanksgiving, but not via RV, so can't help there.

But I have a few favorites worth doing..

Pima Air & Space Museum Sabino Canyon (great hiking, east side of town) The Hub, out of this world ice cream
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148722
Hi Bonnie,

For birding, we love Madera Canyon which is about an hour from Tucson, and Sweetwater Wetlands which is in Tucson off of I-10.  The Tucson Audubon has free guided birding walks to various places which you can find here:  http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/birding/fieldtrips.html.  The Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia is nice, too.
Sabino Canyon is great for hiking and also birding.

Some of our favorite restaurants: Cafe Poca Cosa Feast Neo Malaka El Charro (the one near downtown on Court Ave)

For culture, just google "things to do in Tucson," and you'll have tons of choices. We like to go to plays.  The Live Theatre Workshop and The Invisible Theatre are 2 nice little theaters.

I'm trying out a new shop right now for LD repairs, so when I get it back I can let you know how it was.  I know which place I don't like!

Karen & Christine Tucson, AZ
Re: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148738
My thanks to all for the Tucson area suggestions. And also the advice to go to Larry Wade for repairs. I was considering a visit to CA for some repair/upgrade work. My LD (2001) is starting to show her age and as I've been slowly going over everything from stem to stern, the 'to do' list grows.
Now, how to get in touch with Larry? Thanks again, Bonnie
 
Re: Tuscon, AZ area suggestios?
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148693
Quote
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Catalina State Park is great in the Catalina Mountains

That is true!

And I would also strongly urge you to spend some time in Gilbert Ray Campground in Tucson Mountain Park, owned by Pima County and right in the heart of Saguaro country. The campground is not only very close to Saguaro National Park but also surrounded by that landscape.

Here are links:

park http://webcms.pima.gov/government/natural_resources_parks_and_recreation/

campground http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=1327

Tucson Mountain Park and Catalina State Park are both among our favorites in that area, but they're quite different. You will enjoy them both.

Martha in Santa Fe