Oro Valley

Oro Valley is in Southern Arizona .  It is in Pima County.  The town is in a valley formed by the Santa Cruz River and Gold Creek, with the pinnacles of Pusch Ridge towering nearby in the Santa Catalina Mountains.  Covering 304 square miles, the town is located on State Highway 77.  Tucson is just 6 miles to the south.

Overview:

Oro Valley is becoming one the fastest growing communities in Southern Arizona .  Today Oro Valley’s population is 25,500.  The town sits at an elevation of 2,620 feet.  The warm desert climate has a winter low temperature of 40 degrees and a summer high temperature of 99 degrees.  Oro Valley is set among the rugged mountains, yet close to the comforts of Tucson.  There are many advantages to living here, such as the beauty of the desert and the proximity to lots of outdoor activities.

History:

Oro Valley is a relatively new community.  The town began as a popular traveler’s way station and farming area, after World War II.

The town was incorporated in 1974 and since then has really taken off.  Many people move here to be a part of the numerous subdivisions being built and the wonderful surrounding cactus gardens of the Sonoran Desert.  Tourism plays an important role in the town’s economy.

Community Features:

Oro Valley has a unique attraction.  Biosphere 2 is a three-acre model of the earth’s ecosystem.  Its mission is to serve as a center for teaching, learning and research about the Earth and its systems.  There are tours offered daily.

Visitors will find several outdoor activities near town.  Catalina State Park is situated to the east.  When the early Spaniards passed through the area, they thought the mountains took on a cathedral-like appearance.  They named them La Iglesia meaning, “church.”  Today, the mountain range is called the Santa Catalina Mountains.  The park offers camping, picnicking and birdwatching. 

There is also an equestrian center that is a staging place for trail riders and trailer parking.  The Pinal Pioneer Highway begins north of town on State Highway 79.  The highway heads to the town of Florence passing by all kinds of desert fauna.  There are plaques along the highway with information on the various plants.  It is a gorgeous desert drive.