Let me be the first to extend our welcome to you and your family.

Our unique region of the American Southwest offers a profound sense of belonging; a timelessness among our sometimes snowcapped mountains, our creeks, our Patagonia Lake, and the majestic San Rafael Valley.

Here, we are closely connected to Mother Nature and her processes.  Over the millenniums, our year-round-running Sonoita Creek has been an ageless way stop for countless bird migrations, attracting large numbers of birders from the U.S. and abroad.  Unlike the lowland deserts to the north, monsoon rains are plentiful in their season and nourish our verdant terrain.  And starry skies connect us to the cosmos.

The choices of where to live are many.  They include the city environment of Nogales, the suburban setting of Rio Rico, the quaint small town communities of Patagonia and Sonoita, the wine country of Elgin, or the alpine environment of the Santa Rita and the Patagonia Mountains.

The harmonious mix of cultures offer a richness not easily found elsewhere.  Here, Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures come together.  Ranching traditions of the Old West are part of us.  The intermingling of cultures and traditions results in a sense of respect and civility toward one another.

This intermingling of cultures and traditions is only enhanced by the special opportunity of crossing into nearby Mexico to experience its extraordinary Mission heritage.  Moreover, traveling from our mountain desert setting to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez opens an even wider variety of recreational experiences including its expansive beaches, boating of all kinds, whale watching, and even deep sea fishing-----all within easy driving distance.

We hope you will take our special Santa Cruz tour to see and feel what nature, culture and tradition has done to make for this wonderfully diverse opportunity.

Olivia Ainza-Kramer

President/CEO

Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce - Visitor & Tourism Center