by Brad Snyder, REALTOR at Sierra Vista Realty

With its 350 days of sunshine a year the city is now a thriving business and tourist center for southeastern Arizona and home to Fort Huachuca, which was once the home of the “Buffalo Soldiers.”  Sierra Vista has great hiking trails, the Fort Huachuca Museum, Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Arizona Folklore Preserve,  Fairbank Ghost Town, and Tombstone “The Town Too Tough to Die” just up the street, Bisbee with its rich mining history just a few miles away, Kartchner Caverns State Park with its stunning limestone cave, and the Coronado National Memorial and the San Pedro River the last free-flowing river in the Southwest, all located in the southeast corner of Arizona is an intriguing blend of modern and historic architecture and history which makes Sierra Vista one the best places to visit and a better place to live. Things here are always interesting, thanks in part to the constant stream of community events including Art in the Park (October) , Fort Huachuca’s Festival of the Southwest, the Balloon festival (November), and the Cowboy Poet and Music Festival (February), which draws from all over the country. The other big plus: the great weather makes the people here happy and friendly.

Click here for the Sierra Vista, AZ Profile

Did You Know? The Apache Indians hunted the area and there are early petroglyph visible from the people that lived in the area before the American Indians. How far back? Archeological excavations in Sierra Vista have found remains of the ancient Mammoth hunter encampments – complete with Mammoth bones containing spear tips and some early human tools – dated about 10,000 years ago!

Did You Know? The fort was established as a U.S. cavalry camp in 1877 and gained fort status in 1882, with the mission of protecting settlers on the Arizona frontier from attack by the Geronimo-led Chiricahua Apaches and securing the U.S.-Mexico border.

GRAB A BITE – Click here for the “Dining Guide” When it comes to dining out in Sierra Vista, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes…… we have fabulous sushi at Tanuki Sushi Bar & Garden [1221 E Fry Blvd; 520- 459-6853], or grab a slice at Vinny’s New York Pizza [1977 Frontage Rd.; 520-459-2315]. For dinner, try La Casita Restaurant [465 E Fry Blvd.; 520- 458-2376]; If you want a burger and fries, head to Landmark Cafe [400 West Fry Boulevard.; 520- 459-4624. No matter what you're craving, Sierra Vista has the perfect menu to tempt even the pickiest eaters.

ARIZONA'S WINE COUNTRY - You are probably saying :Arizona wine country? Really?" Yes. Many varieties grow well in Arizona, among them: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sangiovese and we have many award-winning wineries putting Sonoita-Elgin on the map for great wines. When you visit Sierra Vista be sure to drive over to our own wine country and visit the Dos Cabezas Wineworks, and taste their award winning wines, Also, visit Kief Joshua Vineyards. Kief is is a graduate of University of Mebourne's Viticulture and Oenology school.

Did You Know? Vineyards were first planted in Arizona in the 17th century by Franciscan missionaries. Today there are thirteen active wineries in the state, with over 650 acres of grapes being grown for the purpose of wine production.

NEED A ROOM? Skip the traditional motel and try Ramsey Canyon Inn [29 Ramsey Canyon Rd.; 520-378-3010 for a truly unique B&B experience; or Casa de San Pedro Bed & Breakfast [8933 S. Yell Lane; 520- 366-1300]; and the unique Ash Canyon Bed & Breakfast [5255 Spring Road; 520- 378-0773] or try Whispers Ranch Bed & Breakfast [1490 State Highway 83, Elgin, AZ (520) 455-9246] or try Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, host to Presidents and movie stars, is long considered the most elegant hotel between St. Louis and San Francisco, with a fine dining room and bar and even a swimming pool sunk into bedrock on the second floor. [11 Howell Ave, Bisbee 520-432-2216].

HAVE AN ADVENTURE – Hike it or Bike it, no matter what kind of travel adventure you’re embarking on the Sierra Vista area has something for everyone. Tour historic sites linked to the Old West on Fort Huachuca. Hold a hummingbird in your hand at San Pedro House. Hike to the ruins of a Spanish Presidio. Visit a ghost town. View Native American rock art. Enjoy cowboy poetry and music. And that’s just the start of your list of things to do when visiting Sierra Vista! Climb up the Huachuca Mountains to view a beautiful Celtic cross near the Our Lady of the Sierras Shrine (free admission). Walk the stations of the cross while you enjoy the fragrant, delicate flowers in the garden.

Coronado National Memorial – National Park Service (520) 366-5515 (free). This trail (3.1 miles one way) extends from near the Visitor Center to Coronado Peak Trail (200 yards from the Montezuma Pass parking lot). Climbing 1000 ft. in the first mile, the trail offers spectacular views of Montezuma Canyon and the San Pedro River Valley. It also offers views of the grasslands of Sonora, Mexico.

Coronado Peak Trail – This relatively easy trail of less than half a mile one way leads upward from the Montezuma Pass parking area to Coronado Peak (6864 ft.) Benches and interpretive signs offer less adept hikers places to pause along the way. From Coronado Peak the views are of the San Pedro and San Rafael Valleys and over vast high-desert grasslands.

The Crest Trail – This trail, beginning near the Montezuma Pass parking area (6576 ft.), goes 5.3 miles one way to Miller Peak. At an elevation of 9466 ft., Miller Peak is the highest peak in the Huachuca Mountains. The Crest Trail then continues north through Miller Peak Wilderness Area for a total of 24 miles.

Coronado Cave Trail – The steep and rocky trail from the Visitor Center to the entrance of Coronado Cave requires careful footing, so this hike is challenging even though it is only 3/4 mile one way. Entrance to the cave is by permit only. Free permits are available at the Visitor Center, which is open 8-5 daily. Each person wishing to enter the cave should provide two flashlights. Candles or flares are not permitted.

SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA - Good schools. Low crime. Ample leisure-time amenities. They’re all things that make for a desired community and Sierra Vista has them all. If you are ready to move to Sierra Vista and need to buy a Sierra Vista Home please give me a call. I love Sierra Vista and I would love to help you find the perfect home.

Brad Snyder
REALTOR/Associate Broker
Sierra Vista Realty
520-227-6694