Public Transportation

The City of Tucson operates the Sun Tran (4220 S. Park Ave., 520/623-4301, www.suntran.com) bus line. It has stops all over the Old Pueblo and operates Monday–Friday 6 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Full fare is $1, with kids under five riding free.

Driving

If you’re flying into Tucson and you don’t have friends or relatives to chauffeur you around the typically sprawling Southwestern city, you’ll need to rent a car. The airport has several counters from which to choose. If you’re booking ahead try the locally owned Adobe Car & Van Rental of Tucson (3150 E. Grant Rd., 520/390-6708, 888/471-7951), which has a free pick-up service.

As for getting around the city by car, it’s fairly easy if you keep in mind a few landmarks and general rules. Tucson is in a valley surrounded by mountains, with the mighty Santa Catalinas to the north, the Rincon Mountains to the east, and the Tucson Mountains to the west. Far south in the Santa Cruz Valley along I-19 are the Santa Rita Mountains. If you remember that the Santa Catalinas, the most imposing range around the valley, are to the north, it isn’t too difficult to navigate Tucson.

North of the city, on Oracle Road/Highway 77, are the small towns of Oracle, Oro Valley, and Catalina, all nestled in the backside foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. To the southeast is the old mining and ranching district of Vail and the Rincon Valley, now peppered with suburban housing developments, and beyond that the communities of Cochise County. South on I-19 are the big open-pit copper mines, the bedroom community of Sahuarita, the retirement haven of Green Valley, the artists colony and shops of Tubac, and then on to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Most of the major intersections around Tucson are blessed with left-hand turn signals, so don’t panic if you’re in the back of a long line of cars wanting to turn left—your turn will come soon.

Taxis

Cab rides can get expensive in Tucson because everything is so spread out. Expect to spend about $15 for a ride from mid- town to restaurants and bars downtown or on 4th Avenue. There are plenty of rides to choose from. Try AAA Yellow Cab Co./Fiesta Taxi (520/624-6611, 520/399-6062) or All State Cab Company (520/798-1111, 520/887-9000).

© Tim Hull from Moon Tucson, 1st Edition