Pima County was one of Arizona's four original counties created in 1864. It included most of Southern Arizona. When gold was discovered in the mid-1700s, fortune-hunting prospectors flooded the area, followed shortly by more mining and ranching and also many more people. Tucson has been the county seat from the beginning and was the Arizona Territorial capital from 1867 to 1877. The University of Arizona also is located here. Within Pima County are two cactus forests, Saguaro National Park to the north and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in the western portion. Within close proximity to Tucson are several established communities, each with distinct character and offerings for travelers.

Oro Valley
Named one of "America's Top-Rated Smaller Cities" for 2005, the Town of Oro Valley is a scenic retreat located at the base of Pusch Ridge at the western edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Northwestern Pima County, six miles north of the Tucson city limits. The valley, formed by the Santa Cruz River joining Gold Creek, sits at an elevation of 2,620 feet, covers over 34 square miles and has a current population of nearly 40,000. The community of Oro Valley is a resort destination with several championship golf courses, two popular retirement communities, two country clubs, one private and one public, and a total of four 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole. There is one resort hotel in Oro Valley and additional lodging is available at several local hotels.

The Oro Valley Arts Council brings the community together with seasonal arts festivals and entertainment, such as the Oro Valley Jazz Festival, the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts, and a concert series by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Just east of Oro Valley is Catalina State Park, a desert oasis preserved for hiking, biking, horseback riding and bird watching. The town also hosts several annual athletic events, including the Arizona Distance Classic marathon, the Copper Bowl Tennis Championship and theTucson Marathon finish line.

The Town of Oro Valley
229-4700

The Chamber of Northern Pima County
297-2191

Green Valley
Selected several times as one of the country's best places to retire by Where to Retire and New Choices for Retirement magazines, Green Valley is located 23 miles south of Tucson, in the historic Santa Cruz Valley. Green Valley appeals to those who enjoy small-town living, with the desirable amenities of city life, including cultural activities, shopping, and a wide range of recreational activities.

Greater Green Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
625-7575, 800-858-5872

Marana
After starting out as a simple watering hole for the Southern Pacific Railroad, Marana now balances its rural heritage with the amenities of a growing modern city. National golf magazines have rated its Dove Mountain course as one of Arizona's most picturesque, and the Marana-Northwest Regional Airport currently is undergoing improvements to make it a commercial aviation center.

Marana Chamber of Commerce
682-4314