Or places to see in the Sky Islands
in the Sky Islands of Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona Wine Country
Over 300 bird species migrate, nest and live in this riparian habitat along Sonoita Creek.
The best kept secret in Southern Arizona
From the historic streets of Tubac and the vibrant culture of Nogales to the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia, Sonoita, Elgin, Tumacacori, Rio Rico, and the Santa Cruz River Valley, every corner of the county tells a story. Explore rich history, […]
As the temperatures rise, the Santa Cruz Valley offers places where water, shade, and wildlife come together in remarkable ways. Just about an hour south of Tucson in the charming town of Patagonia, the Paton Center for Hummingbirds is one […]
Posted by permission of Linda Kennedy, photographer Butterflies in January? Hard to imagine, but here is proof they do indeed winter in the Sky Islands. Photos were taken by Linda on the 5th of January 2026, in her yard in […]
Three decades of high desert winemaking Dos Cabezas WineWorks turns 30 this year, a significant milestone in Arizona wine country. Since 1995, the Sonoita winery has helped define modern Arizona wine and mentored a new generation of winemakers. From state […]
Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times. Author and photographer – Mary Tolena One morning in May, Aaron Mrotek, manager of The Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, got a big surprise when he opened his email. Mrotek had […]
Reprinted by permission of Wine Enthusiast – Author, Naomi Tomky The Arizona sun beats down on Sonoita, its powerful rays crossing the short distance to the small collection of vineyards about 45 minutes from Tucson. Arizona’s first and largest AVA hugs its […]
Reprinted by permission of Outside Online.com – Author, Graham Averill Patagonia, Arizona Population: 789 Why I Love It Start in Tucson, then head an hour south (almost to the Mexican border) and you’ll find tiny Patagonia, a former mining town […]
Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times This year’s County Fair promises to be a spectacular celebration of our agricultural heritage. Under the theme “From Farm to Fair—Celebration of Agriculture,” the fair will showcase the best of local farming, […]
Author: Dottie Farrar. Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times. Wearing a big old cowboy hat, jeans and boots, Craig Johnson, Wyoming-based author of the popular long-running “Longmire” mystery series, charmed and awed fans who came to meet him […]
Author: Angela Gervasi. Reprinted by permission of Nogales International. Photos by Angela Gervasi. When Barbara Christianson embarks on a road trip, she looks for one souvenir in particular: honey. That search, according to Christianson, can give way to a world […]
Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times, Marion Vendituoli The Town of Patagonia and the Sky Islands Tourism Association have teamed up with the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance (SCVHA) to create and install a 4’ x 3’ sign […]
The Sky Islands Tourism Association and the Arizona Small Business Association have partnered to produce this travel-vignette video featuring the area’s attractions and local business owners. Known as “one of the best kept secrets in Arizona,” the Sky Islands include […]
