Established in 1775 by Spanish soldiers, Tucson came under Mexican rule in 1821 when Mexico won its independence from Spain and later became part of the U.S. in the 1854 Gasden Purchase. Following a period of territorial conflict with the Apache Indians, Arizona became the 48th state in 1912.

Tucson, often referred to as the "Old Pueblo," more than lives up to its old-world charm. The city's Western character, glamorized by its turbulent past, merges with the Tucson of today - an undeniably cosmopolitan destination and one of the fastest growing urban areas in the U.S.

Residents and guests of Saguaro Ranch will enjoy proximity to Tucson's rich natural, historical and cultural resources.

Nature takes center stage in Tucson, where bird watching, cycling, hiking, horseback riding and exploring the outdoors are popular activities. The following are just some of the highlights of the city's attractions.

	The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, an absolute must to visit, is a world-class zoo and botanical garden spotlighting the animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert.
	Saguaro National Park spans more than 67,000 acres and climbs five climate zones in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains to the east and the Tucson Mountains to the west. Its forests of huge saguaro cacti provide dramatic scenery for hiking and picnicking.
	More great hiking opportunities can be found at Tucson Mountain Park, Mt. Lemmon and Sabino Canyon. Sabino Canyon, known for its exciting cliffs and natural desert pools, is a popular summer spot for locals.
	Chiricahua National Monument, about two hours east of Tucson, has spectacular rock vistas.
	The Huachuca Mountains, home of Ramsey Canyon, are a bird-watchers paradise directly south of Tucson.
	Bird admirers will also appreciate Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains, south of Tucson.
	Tohono Chul Park is a 48-acre retreat designed to promote the conservation of arid regions. Visitors can learn about and appreciate nature at its garden, greenhouse, geology wall and teahouse as well as at its shady nooks, nature trails and small art gallery.
	The local chapter of the Sierra Club (tel: 520-620-6401) offers weekend hikes.
	Reid Park Zoo features plenty of shady places to relax and admire its many newborns. It also has a South American rain forest with exotic birds.
	Tucson Botanical Gardens is a five-acre oasis in the center of town with an assortment of interesting gardens, including a tropical greenhouse; sensory garden (where visitors can touch, smell or listen to various plants), a garden designed to attract birds and a cactus garden.
	Caves have become popular in Tucson -- particularly the recently opened Kartchner Caverns State Park. This home to more than 1,000 bats is also full of magnificent rock formations.
	Colossal Cave, the largest dry cavern in the world, is not only filled with many fascinating crystal formations but also steeped in old western lore, including the legend that an enormous sum of money from a stage coach robbery is still hidden there.
	Tucson has many municipal and county golf courses as well as many excellent resort courses.
	The Tucson Museum of Art is among the city's diverse collection of museums. It has an impressive traveling exhibit as well as a permanent collection of varied American art.
	Degrazia's Gallery in the Sun is a sprawling, single-story museum built by Arizonan artist Ted De Grazia and his Native-American friends. The structure is made entirely of natural material from the surrounding desert. De Grazia's grave and former home and workshop are also there.
	The Pima Air and Space Museum ranks among the largest private collections of military aircraft in the world.
	The Grace H. Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium has many attractions, including a 16-inch public telescope, a multi-media show that brings astronomy to life, an interactive meteor exhibit, a mineral museum and nightly laser light shows.
	The Old Tucson Studios, a western theme park that's been used as a location for 350 movie and television productions over the past 50 years, features such entertainment as simulated gunfights, old western movies, dining and a dance hall revue.
	Biosphere 2, the self-contained eco-system which was inhabited by eight people who sealed themselves inside in 1992 and didn't come out for two years, is in the small town of Oracle about 45 minutes north of central Tucson. Guided walking tours are available.
	One of the restorers of the Sistine Chapel in Rome called the Mission San Xavier del Bac the "Sistine Chapel of the United States." It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the United States.