This 1960s ranch home in a quiet West side neighborhood in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains has recently been remodeled with an eye to comfort and water-consciousness and is featured in the Watershed Management Group 2025 Desert Living Home Tour as an example of sustainable desert living. The private pollinator-friendly organic garden in the backyard is sustained by harvested rainwater and visited regularly by hummingbirds, finches, butterflies, native bees, and quail. Over the past several years we have been working on habitat restoration in the previously gravel yard. Every year we add more rain basins and more native-critter-friendly plants! You are quite likely to see our local javelina herd ambling by in the front or along the fenced easement behind the house, and you may fall asleep to a coyote concert. When you sit on the back patio looking over the spacious yard, you'll be able to take in the Catalina mountains, mature mesquite and palo verde trees, magnificent clouds or storms depending on the season, and the occasional hawk or vulture. At night, the moon and stars are radiant and the nighthawks dart through the yard.
But in ten minutes, you can be downtown enjoying a delicious meal in one of our many excellent restaurants, taking in a show, or dancing the night away. If your preferences are more outdoorsy, ten minutes in the opposite direction puts you in Tucson Mountain Park for biking, hiking, critter-watching, glorious sunsets, and stargazing. Twenty-five minutes puts you at Saguaro National Park West or the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If you come for the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, a short drive down the hill puts you in the middle of the I-10 vendor corridor, and an even shorter drive gets you to the SunTran bus park & ride, where a free bus can get you where you want to be. We also have a pair of bicycles available. If you would like to use them, please let us know in advance (note: our neighborhood is quite hilly).
The kitchen appliances and washer/drier have all been updated. Throughout the house, you'll find books and art focused on the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. There's a gas fireplace and two full bedrooms. The third bedroom is set up as an office/bedroom if you need to work remotely while you are with us. There's no television and no cable, but there is strong wifi.
The owners live next door, should you need anything--though don't worry, we know how to respect your privacy! If you choose, we can provide you with purified rainwater to drink and fresh eggs from our chickens. Depending on season and your interest, you can also meet our 50-year old Desert Tortoise Mr. T or our Desert King Snake Sli. And, if you are interested in learning more about rainwater harvesting and water-conscious desert living, we are happy to chat! Just let us know. If you prefer your solitude, we totally understand.
Note that longer stays (more than 10 days) may entail additional cleaning fees.
