The Catalina Foothills, simply referred to as “The Foothills” by Tucson locals, is on the North side of Tucson, on the Southern side of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The Foothills is considered anything North of River, East of Oracle Road and West of Sabino Canyon Road. The Coronado National Forest is the Northern boundary of the Foothills. Development of the Catalina Foothills began in the 1920s and prior to that, the area was Federal trust land and was used as open grazing for cattle. This affluent area features some of the most expensive homes in land in all of Arizona. The housing in the foothills is unique, ranging from some of the oldest and most charming homes in all of Tucson, to affordable condos and townhomes, to modern/contemporary dwellings.
The Santa Catalina Mountain Range is Tucson’s most famous mountain range with its spectacular peaks and it is home to Mount Lemmon and Sky Valley, the Southern-most ski resort in all of the United States. The Catalina Foothills neighborhood has incredible hiking, spectacular resorts and golf courses, amazing restaurants, upscale shopping, famous art galleries, and awesome views of the city and mountains because of its elevation. The Catalina Foothills is also home to the highest-ranked public school in all of Arizona. This article will touch upon all of these amenities.
Hiking In The Catalina Foothills
The Catalina Foothills has amazing hiking trails that attract hikers and sight-seers from all over the world. Click on the links to view maps, pictures and information about the hikes.
Pima Canyon Trailhead– 1610 E Magee Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Finger Rock Trailhead- Pontatoc Canyon Trail, Tucson, AZ 85718
Ventana Canyon Trailhead– 6601 N Resort Dr, Tucson, AZ 85750
Sabino Canyon– 5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Golf Courses in The Catalina Foothills
The Catalina Foothills has three of the most famous golf courses in all of Southern Arizona. Click on the links to find out more information and how to book a round of golf.
Public Courses:
La Paloma Country Club– 3660 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Ventana Canyon Golf Club– 6200 N Club House Ln, Tucson, AZ 85750
Private Courses:
Skyline Country Club– 5200 E St Andrews Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Resorts In The Catalina Foothills
The Foothills has some of the most luxurious resorts in the state. Click on the links to find out more information on what amenities each resort offers.
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa– 3800 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort– 7000 N Resort Dr, Tucson, AZ 85750
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort– 5501 N Hacienda Del Sol Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Canyon Ranch Tucson– 8600 E Rockcliff Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa– 245 E Ina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
Schools In The Catalina Foothills
According to Niche.com, the Catalina Foothills School District ranks best overall district on all of Arizona. There are 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and one high school in the district. The Foothills also has private and charter schools. Click on the links below to find out more information about each individual school.
Public Schools:
Ventana Vista Elementary School, K-5- 6085 N Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Sunrise Drive Elementary School, K-5- 2101 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718
Canyon View Elementary School, PreK-5- 5725 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Manzanita Elementary School, K-5- 3000 E Manzanita Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718
Esperero Canyon Middle School, 6-8- 5801 N Sabino Canyon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Orange Grove Middle School, 6-8- 1911 E Orange Grove Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Catalina Foothills High School, 9-12- 4300 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Charter Schools:
Khalsa Montessori School, Prek-8- 3701 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Basis North, 9-12- 5740 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Private Schools:
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Grammar School, K-8- 6450 N Camino Miraval, Tucson, AZ 85718
Lamb’s Gate Christian School, Prek-8- 4700 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Restaurants In The Catalina Foothills
There’s no doubt about it that the Foothills has some of the best restaurants in all of Tucson. Click on the restaurant names to view the menus and check availability to make a reservation.
American/Steakhouses:
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill- 2985 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Commoner & Co– 6960 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85750
Wild Garlic Grill- 2870 E Skyline Dr Suite 120, Tucson, AZ 85718
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar– 6360 N Campbell Ave Suite 180, Tucson, AZ 85718
Sullivan’s– 1785 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Italian:
North Italia- 2995 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Vivace– 6440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718
Tavolino Ristorante Italiano– 2890 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Trattoria Pina- 5541 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Fiamme Pizza– 4706 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Piazza Gavi– 5415 N Kolb Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750
Mexican:
Blanco Cocina + Cantina– 2905 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Fini’s Landing– 5689 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
El Charro Cafe Ventana– 6910 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85750
Asian:
RA Sushi Bar Restaurant– 2905 E Skyline Dr #289, Tucson, AZ 85718
Ginza Sushi & Izakaya– 5425 N Kolb Rd #115, Tucson, AZ 85750
South American:
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine- 6878 E Sunrise Dr #130, Tucson, AZ 85750
Shopping In The Catalina Foothills
Nestled in the Catalina Foothills, La Encantada offers 60+ shops & restaurants—including many you won’t find anywhere else in Southern Arizona.
La Encantada Mall– 905 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Art Galleries In The Catalina Foothills
Southern Arizona has a rich arts culture and some of the most famous art pieces are located in galleries and museums in the Catalina Foothills. Learn about the galleries by clicking on the links below.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun– 6300 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery– 6872 E Sunrise Dr #130, Tucson, AZ 85750
Settlers West Galleries– 6420 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718
Southern Arizona Arts Guild– 2905 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Churches In The Catalina Foothills
Lutheran Church of the Foothills– 5102 N Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Catalina Foothills Church- 2150 E Orange Grove Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church- 5150 N Valley View Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Tucson Arizona LDS Temple– 7281 N Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Congregation Bet Shalom– 3881 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Chadash Synagogue– 3939 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85718
St. Phillip’s in the Hill’s Episcopal Church- 4440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718
Journey Church– 4700 N Swan Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Are you thinking about buying or selling a home in the Catalina Foothills? Please feel free to contact me to go over your needs: alexisburrowshomes@gmail.com. 520-869-3176.
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