About the area:
Quickly becoming the fastest growing community in the Santa Cruz Valley, Rio Rico has doubled in size in the last 15 years.  The present population is estimated at nearly 20,000 and there are 8000 homes in the community.  More than 50 manufacturing companies, produce warehouses and the district office of the U.S. Border patrol are located in two industrial parks and serve as part of the economic base for the area.  Santa Cruz Valley School District #35 is a growing, dynamic school district covering approximately 265 square miles. The campus located at 1374 W. Frontage Rd operates five schools, preschool through 12th grade, with approximately 3,000 students. The central shopping area provides groceries, gas stations, restaurants, beauty salons, a flower shop and Rio Rico Homes and Land, your Real Estate Professionals.

Virtually undiscovered, Rio Rico and the budding Santa Cruz Valley offer a temperate climate 7-15 degrees cooler than the metropolitan areas just to the north.  Ringed by 5 mountain ranges, Rio Rico has spectacular and ever-changing views from all parts of town.  Most importantly, the housing prices have remained reasonable and affordable.  In spite of its growth and its proximity to large urban centers, Rio Rico maintains and treasures its quiet country atmosphere.

Entertainment:
Golf lovers, bikers, hikers and nature enthusiasts will enjoy 5 golf courses,  historic sites including the Juan Bautista de Anza National Trail, the Tubac Presido State Historic Park and the Tumacacori Mission, miles of hiking trails, and the abundant wildlife the area has to offer.  

Santa Cruz county is known as a birder's paradise because of the large variety of  unusual bird species that pass through the area every year.  Some of the favorite stops for birders in the area are the Anza Trail all the way to Tubac along the Santa Cruz river, the Patagonia Nature Conservancy, Sycamore Canyon and Kino Springs.

Local stables offer horseback riding in the valley and surrounding mountains.  Ride for an hour or a day, choose the area you wish to see and your guide will get you there.

The Santa Cruz area offers 97 resorts, hotels and B&Bs for overnight accommodations. Sonoran food is the specialty, but the area boasts restaurants with fine Greek, Italian and continental fare.

Five miles south of Rio Rico is Nogales, the county seat, population 25,000, has a number of grocery stores, clothing stores and a vast number of services.  And just a few minutes beyond that across the border into Mexico lies Nogales, Sonora which is a popular tourist destination for Mexican novelties, inexpensive prescription drugs and fine dining.

Tubac, located 10 miles north of Rio Rico, is a well-known art community and popular tourist destination.  Historically the 2nd oldest community in Arizona, it now houses over 112 artisans and shops offering a wide variety of up-scale arts and crafts featuring fine jewelry, pottery, glassware, southwestern decorations, and much more, as well as fine food.

Multiplex theatres are located in Green Valley, just 25 minutes north, and plans are currently being made for another multiplex in the Nogales.

Tucson, less than one hour north via I-19, is home to the University of Arizona. Tucson not only offers excellent educational facilities, it serves as a Mecca for the performing and visual arts.  Retailers, suppliers and services located in the city make it a popular shopping destination for locals.

Hospitals/Health Services:
Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales serves the immediate community and is supported by the Tubac and Mariposa clinics.  

Green Valley, just 20 minutes to the north, offers more than 90 medical specialists and clinics.   

Tucson is home to more than 7 hospitals, 2 of which provide trauma care.  The Tucson Heart Hospital and other specialty facilities are easily accessible from Rio Rico.  

Patients from throughout the United States travel to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, located in Phoenix, for diagnosis and treatment of cancer at what is considered one of the finest medical care centers in the world.  Rio Rico is a short 3 hours away.  The Arizona Cancer Center and UMC (University Medical Center) is just 1 hour from Rio Rico.

Airports:
Tucson International Airport, less than one hour north via I-19, has daily flights connecting to destinations throughout the world.  Shuttle service is readily available from the border areas to the airport. 
Nogales International Airport located at Highway 82 (Patagonia Highway) and Mile post 8 is a public airport for general aviation.

History:
Rio Rico, or Rich River, was founded in 1814 as the town of Calabasas.  Throughout the years various indigenous people have settled in this area because of the proximity of water and the availability of natural resources.  As far back as 300 A.D. the Hohokam or 'Forgotten Ones' had established villages and irrigation systems in the area.  Bands of Apache and Suvapai  also made this area their territory over the ensuing centuries.  Much of the 56,000 acre development was part of the original Baca Float Spanish land grant.  Spanish Jesuit and Franciscan missions dotted the valley and monks traveled from locations in the San Cayetanos through Peck Canyon establishing colonies.  Apache raids were common in that era and took their toll on the Suvapai and the Spanish alike.  During the past 150 years, the area has continued to be inhabited by adventurers, raiders and Wild West outlaws.  However, more recently, Rio Rico has begun to prosper again as trade with Mexico has become more important and the desire to be out of overcrowded cities has increased.  All of these events have combined to set in motion the evolution of the colorful, multi-cultural community we know today.