Sierra Vista, AZ
Sierra Vista offers the best seat in Mother Nature’s house,
with panoramic views of Arizona’s Sky Islands, rising nearly
10,000 feet into impossibly blue skies. The unique topography
results in world class biodiversity and amazing topography just
waiting to be explored.
Discover hundreds of miles of hiking and bicycling trails—from
moderate to extreme—accented by the San Pedro River, a 143mile ribbon of free-flowing water that contains more native
vertebrate species than Yellowstone National Park and serves
as a nesting ground for more than 250 species of birds.
At an elevation of 4,633 feet, year ‘round temperatures are
mild, averaging in the mid-70s with a few days a year hitting
the high 90s then dipping to the low 60s at night.
Home to the U.S. Army’s Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista was
shaped by more than 125 years of soldiering, from yesterday’s
Buffalo Soldiers and Cavalry troops, to today’s cyber security
and tech-reliant defense operations. Soldiers stationed around
the globe return to Sierra Vista with a worldly palate that is
plainly evident in the city’s diverse culinary fare. Enjoy
authentic meals prepared fresh with ingredients that are both
locally sourced and imported from native lands, like woodfired pizza made with Italian flour and topped with hand-made
mozzarella and locally grown tomatoes, rolled-to-order sushi
with delivered-fresh seafood, hearty German schnitzel and
breads, and huge bowls of pho bursting with authentic flavor
and garnished with farm-fresh herbs.
Sierra Vista is in the heart of Arizona’s oldest and best wine
country. Smack between the Sonoita AVA and Willcox growing
region, you’re just a short east or west jaunt from tasting rooms
featuring gold medal wines.
136 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors
Getting there: Sierra Vista is 70 miles from the Tucson,
AZ airport. By car, this community of 46,000 is 30
miles south of I-10. By bike, take U.S. Bicycle Route 90.