Hacienda Corona is the perfect place to step back in time, kick off your shoes and relax for a while, but some folks just can’t sit still. So if stopping to smell the roses in our garden, lazy laps in our mosaic tile pool or a Bocce game played on the deep green grass of “The Wedding Lawn” would make you crazy, you can “Cruz” the County.
IF YOU PLAN
TO GO ACROSS THE BORDER INTO MEXICO, BE SURE TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT
OR A DRIVERS LICENSE AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
LA HISTORIA – Lucky you to be visiting one of
the most historically important areas in the Western United States –
we call it the “Plymouth Rock” of the West. Father Kino
established his first mission here in 1691 and Juan Bautista de Anza
Sr. followed suit with the first ranch in the state of Arizona in 1728
– Guevavi Ranch – that’s right, it’s right here.
Tumacacori Mission in neighboring Tumacacori conducts a once-monthly
tour of the mission ruins of Calabasas and Guevavi. In Nogales history
buffs will also enjoy visiting the Pimaria Alta Museum and the Cowbelles
Ranching Museum in the historic 1904 Nogales Courthouse. The Tubac Presidio
State Historic Park in Tubac is also noteworthy.
HORSES FOR COURSES – Got a yen to hit the trail?
Try Ride the West for trail rides from 2.5 hours to 5 day-overnight
pack trips. Need to brush up on your English or Dressage skills? Phil
Stover offers one-hour private or semi private lessons right here at
Hacienda Corona.
18 HOLES AND MORE – Golf, golf, golf –
grab a cart and go. Four public courses are just minutes away--Esplendor
Resort & Country Club at Rio Rico, Tubac Golf Resort, Palo Duro
Creek Country Club and Kino Springs.
CATCH OF THE DAY – Patagonia Lake boasts 265
acres of sparkling water where swimming boating and fishing are available.
Pena Blanca Lake is somewhat smaller, but still a great place for boating
and fishing – no swimming. Both lakes are just ten to twenty minutes
away.
IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S A BIRD
- Birding at Hacienda Corona takes on a rather genteel bent as you sit
in one of our patios sipping your drink of choice and focusing your
binoculars in on all sorts of birds sipping their drink of choice–water
from our pond or fountains. Sit quietly and you might see a Mexican
Gray Hawk, Vermillion and many other species of Flycatcher, some blue
or green herons, a Cassin’s Kingbird or a Lesser Nighthawk. If
you’d rather beat the bushes in the neighborhood, you can try
Patton’s in Patagonia reputed to have the most hummingbirds in
the valley, Patagonia Lake or the Patagonia - Sonoita Creek Preserve
where you might catch sight of the Rose-throated Becard or the famed
Elegant Trogan.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP – There’s no shortage
of shopping in this neck of the woods. In the artist community of Tubac
you will find lovely mesquite furniture, sculpture, fine art, jewelry,
pottery, rugs, clothing and much, much more. Try La Cucaracha, Tumacookery,
Tortuga Books, Cowboy’s Sweetheart, Old World Imports, Cowgirl
Ugly and Yard Woman just to name a few. You might also want to check
out the Nicholas Wilson Studio at the Tubac Golf Resort where you can
see the current works
of this world famous artist.
In Tumacacori, don’t miss the Santa Cruz Chili and Spice Company.
Among the many galleries and shops in Patagonia, try Global Arts for
unique art, furniture, jewelry, clothing and other items with a Latin
beat. Looking for a great pair of cowboy boots? World-class boot maker
Paul Bond is right here in Nogales as is Holler & Saunders, ultra-exclusive
interior decorator offering exquisite Spanish Colonial antiques and
artifacts. Need a gourmet gift basket, try Harriet’s Incredible
Edibles.
In Nogales, Mexico you’ll have a great time strolling through
the open air markets and shops on Calle Obregon and Calle Elias looking
for the best prices on pottery, clothing, jewelry, colorful rugs and
serapes, curios and so much more. Be sure to include Maya de Mexico,
the Lazy Frog, El Changarro and Baz Art among your stops. If you’re
looking for 18th century Latin American colonial antiques and artifacts,
call Romero Mitre for an appointment and be prepared to pay handsomely
for these exquisite treasures. If your hairstyle needs a lift, stop
in at K International and ask for Kiko. He is fabulous and you’ll
walk out of the salon looking like a million bucks.
WHEN HUNGER STRIKES
Depending upon your location when hunger strikes there are many, many
excellent choices:
Amado – Try the historic Cow Palace, the Longhorn,
Cristofer’s Deli or the Amado Café. Rex Ranch is another
good choice, not only for food, but for lodging too.
Tubac – Try The Stables or Dos Silos at the Tubac
Golf Resort or Melio’s Ristorante, Shelby’s, Artist’s
Palate or Presidio Cafe in the town of Tubac.
Carmen/Tumacacori – Try Wisdom’s
Café or Tumacacori Mission Restaurant for food, Abes Tumacacori
Bar for drinks.
Rio Rico – Try the Esplendor
Resort dining room or bar. For Mexican food try Las Trankas or the exciting
new Sonora Grill. You can also get fabulous pizza at the new Nona Vivi.
Nogales, AZ – For dinner try
Mr. C’s, Las Vigas, Samurai, Bella Mia or Soto’s PK Outpost.
Nogales, Sonora, Mexico – Two excellent choices
are La Roca and Elvira’s.
Patagonia – Try the Velvet Elvis (one of the
Governor’s Arizona Treasures) or the Gathering Grounds, the Home
Plate or the Wagon Wheel.
Sonoita – Try the Café Sonoita, the Steak Out, the Grasslands
Café and the new and delicious Canela.
FRUIT OF THE VINE
Believe it or not, Southern Arizona is growing, bottling and drinking
some pretty fine wines. Try the funky Arizona Winery in Nogales on Route
82 or Callaghan’s, the Sonoita Vineyards, Dos Cabezas or Rancho
Rosso, - all in the Sonoita/Elgin area. Many are award-winning wines
and some have been served at the White House during two different administrations.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SPECIAL EVENTS
In addition to all of the attractions that are open on an annual basis,
every season has its special events in the neighboring communities of
Tubac, Nogales, Patagonia, Sonoita and Elgin. Some of them are….
FALL – Sonoita Rodeo
Santa Cruz County Fair
Empire Ranch Roundup and Art Show
Patagonia Fall Festival
Tubac De Anza Days
Patagonia Art Walk
WINTER – Tubac Farmers Market
Tubac An Art Experience
Santa Cruz Valley Car Nuts Show
Tubac Festival of the Arts
La Fiesta de Tumacacori
Tumacacori Under the Full Moon
SPRING – Sonoita Blessing of the Vineyards Festival
Mariachi Festival Patagonia State Park
Sonoita Horse Races (thoroughbreds and quarter horses)
SUMMER - Patagonia Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks
Tubac Fourth of July Fireworks
Hacienda Corona Concerts Under the Stars
