Patagonia, Arizona, is located in the valleys of the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains in southern Arizona. This historic community is now home to artists, nature lovers, and visitors who come to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the area. There are fantastic restaurants, galleries, and places to go to really enjoy your time in Patagonia.
Get to Patagonia
Getting there is half the fun. Enjoy driving on scenic roads, over rolling hills, and leave the hectic pace of the city behind. If you’re driving south from the Tucson area, a good way to get there (and avoid going through Nogales) is to take I-19 South to the Ruby Road (# 12) exit.
Turn left and follow Ruby to Via Frontera, turn right. At the stop sign, turn left onto South River Road and proceed to Scenic Highway 82. Turn left and continue toward Patagonia. Map .
Places to stay
To fully enjoy Patagonia and its surroundings, consider staying at one of the Inns or B & B’s. Here are some suggestions:
- Duquesne House B&B is within walking distance of businesses in central Patagonia. Stay in a beautifully decorated adobe garden. More about the Duquesne House.
- The Spirit Tree Bed and Breakfast Inn is out of town, in the beautiful countryside. Enjoy the huge poplars and get away from it all. More about the Spirit Tree Bed and Breakfast Inn.
- Hacienda Corona Bed and Breakfast Inn is just off River Road and, like Spririt Tree, is several miles from Patagonia’s main drag. You will love the beautiful murals in the courtyard and the fantastic western decor. More about Hacienda Corona Bed and Breakfast Inn.
More accommodation ideas.
Purchases
When you arrive in Pagagonia you will see some historic buildings, elevated sidewalks, and an old train station. What you won’t see are crowds of visitors (unless, of course, it’s a festival weekend). Right on the main street, McKeown Avenue, you will find some fantastic shops. I especially like Creative Spirits, as it is a cooperative with local artists. You can find jewelry, decoration pieces, wearable art, photography and more.
Alongside Creative Spirits is Mariposa Books & More .
It’s a bookstore, but you can also find some great local cards and gift items. But the real find inside Mariposa Books is the Visitor Center. Often times, a knowledgeable local will be there to help you plan your stay. The internal point of view is always a great thing!
Along Highway 82 and the streets that run parallel through Patagonia you will find galleries, shops, and restaurants. Here’s more on shopping in Patagonia, Arizona.
Foods
When you arrive in Patagonia, you will find a quiet little historic town. You may not realize that right in the center of Patagonia is a restaurant that was designated “An Arizona Treasure” by the Governor of Arizona.
In fact, you may drive past Velvet Elvis Pizza Company and have no idea that it is an internationally known restaurant that offers organic food. Rivaling its eclectic multicultural decor is its eclectic pizza menu. Add a fresh salad and you have a meal that is a gourmet delight.
I have not tried the Velvet Elvis yet, since it is only open from Thursday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm Unfortunately I was in Patagonia on a Wednesday!
I had a chance to stop at the Gathering Grouds coffee shop on McKeown Avenue.
It is a community gathering place that offers sandwiches made with freshly baked bread, pastries, and great coffee or espresso drinks. Dinner is offered on Fridays and Saturdays. I asked them to make a turkey sandwich with fresh wheat bread, added a salad, and had a nice dinner at my B&B.
While at Hacienda Corona, I heard that the restaurant on the Kino Springs golf course had been bought and renovated and that it was a place that would surprise me. Of course, I made my way to Ristorante Villa Prestini and was very impressed.
There were beautiful, colorful dining rooms overlooking the golf course, including intimate rooms for small groups. As I walked from room to room I discovered a very modern bar area with luxurious decor reminiscent of places I had visited in big cities like New York and Atlanta. But this was in Nogales, just down Highway 82 from Patagonia! I can’t wait to go back and have dinner there! The outdoor patios seemed ideal for the summer.
More places to eat in the Patagonia area.
Wine tasting
Many of those who come to taste southern Arizona wines stay in Patagonia.
The Wine Country is close to Patagonia. The areas you will want to visit are Sonoita and Elgin and the beautiful rolling landscape in between. The wine tasting loop takes you from Highway 82 (which runs between Patagonia and Sierra Vista) along Upper Elgin Road, Elgin Road, and Lower Elgin Road. More on Southern Arizona Wine Country.
