All About Living in Southwest Tucson, Arizona

A helpful guide about Southwest Tucson for newcomers and native Tucsonans, alike. The Tucson Metro area consists of a whopping 9,189 square miles. This guide is to help you narrow down what area of Tucson you’d like to live in based on your lifestyle. Learn about the history of the area, about some of the popular neighborhoods, what amenities and services are located here, and search homes for sale on the southwest part of Tucson. Your questions are welcome! Hello@RealTucson.com

Top 5 Reasons to Live in Southwest Tucson:

  • More affordable options
  • Close to I-19
  • Near Casino Del Sol and the AVA Amphitheater
  • Quiet area that’s off the beaten path
  • Close to hiking trails in the Tucson Mountains

General Location:

The Tucson Multiple Listing Service defines the southwest area of Tucson to be west of I-19, southwest of the Tucson Mountains, east of Sandario Road, and north of Hermans Road.

The zip codes in the area are 85713, 85714, 85735, 85746, 85757.


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  • Midvale Park
  • Star Valley
  • Tucson Estates
  • Drexel Heights

Description of Southwest Tucson

The Southwest part of Tucson is tucked among the jagged peaks of the Tucson Mountains. The area offers lots of recreation options like Tucson Mountain Park, Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, and Saguaro National Park West.

Homes vary from suburban neighborhoods full of newer-built stucco homes with 2 car garages, to manufactured homes on large parcels of land, to park model mobile homes in 55+ age restricted communities.


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Southwest Tucson Attractions and Amenities

Public Parks and Recreation

There’s a few public and community parks in the area including: Winston Reynolds-Manzanita Park, Oaktree Park, Ebonee Marie Moody Park, Mission Ridge Park, Lawrence District Park, and Star Valley Park.

Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park West

Tucson Mountain Park abuts Saguaro National Park West and includes the Gates Pass area. It’s a popular area for hiking, biking, or just taking a scenic drive.

Gates Pass is a picturesque drive through the rocky Tucson Mountains.
Gates Pass is a picturesque drive through the rocky Tucson Mountains.

Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum

Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is a great place to take your out of town visitors. Part zoo, part desert garden, part art gallery, the desert museum has something for everyone.

Big horn sheep at Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson
Big horn sheep at Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson

Old Tucson Studios

Old Tucson Studios was a victim of the pandemic, but has plans of reopening soon. The movie studio was established in 1939 to film the movie Arizona. Since then many westerns have been filmed in the area including Rio Bravo, Little House on the Prairie, Tombstone, and Three Amigos

Old Tucson Studios and Desert Museum are popular attractions on the southwestern part of Tucson
Old Tucson Studios and Desert Museum are popular attractions on the southwestern part of Tucson

Kitt Peak Observatory

Kitt Peak is a short drive from the southwestern part of Tucson. It was established in 1964 and offers many programs that are open to the public.

Kitt Peak observatory located just west of Tucson
Kitt Peak observatory located just west of Tucson

The Loop Multi-Use Path

The loop offers over 130-miles of car-free paved path for walking or bicycling. On the southwest part of town the loop travels along the Santa Cruz River and ends at Valencia Road, although the path is under consideration to be expanded further south through Sahuarita and Green Valley.

Golfing

Golfing is available at the Sewailo Golf Club at Casino Del Sol and at Tucson Estates Golf Course.

Tucson Estates golf course
Tucson Estates golf course

Casino Del Sol Resort

Casino del Sol is operated by the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe and includes a hotel, casino, outdoor amphitheater, golf, dining, RV Park.

Historic San Xavier del Bac Mission

Built in the late 1700s, this beautiful historic Spanish Catholic Mission is worth a trip no matter what religion you believe or practice.

San Xavier del Bac Mission is located on Tohono O'odham land on the southwest part of Tucson.
San Xavier del Bac Mission is located on Tohono O’odham land on the southwest part of Tucson.

Shopping

Nearly every big box store is available within the Tucson Spectrum shopping center near I-19. There’s many shopping centers along Valencia Road as well.

Area Healthcare and Hospitals

There are some medical offices near I-19, but no hospitals in the area. The closest hospital would be St Marys Hospital or Banner University Medical Center South.

Schools

Most homes in the southwestern part of Tucson are serviced by the Tucson Unified School District. A few homes on the western portion of the SW side of town are serviced by Altar Valley Elementary District.


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