Top 5 Coffee Shops in Tucson, Arizona

Ren Coffeehouse

4300 N Campbell Ave #24, Tucson, AZ 85718

Tucked away in a corner of St. Philip’s Plaza at River and Campbell is this bright and friendly gem of a coffeehouse. I passed by Ren for a whole year, never quite registering that it was there, and once I visited, it instantly became my favorite place in town. Ren is the kind of place where you can do anything: have a business meeting, drop in after a ride on The Loop, meet your best friend, catch up on emails, or just relax with a good book. The space is not huge, but it’s quieter for that, and the vibe is super friendly. 

Lisa Ocker, the owner of Ren, has done a great job of working with local food artisans to supply the kitchen with local honey, kombucha on-tap from Project AZ Tea, and lavender (for the lavender syrup in your latte) from Oracle’s Oaks Farm. Their coffee is sourced from Tucson’s Yellow Brick Coffee. They have a wide assortment of teas, smoothies, baked goods (including a few gluten free items) and delicious larger plates like Avocado on toasted Barrio Bread, and a bagel breakfast sandwich with egg, arugula, cheese and avocado. I even saw that they recently started serving mimosas made with organic OJ! So if you’re in the mood for just about anything delicious, I highly recommend stopping by Ren.

---

Raging Sage Coffee Roasters

2458 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719

In addition to being a beloved place for coffee, tea and the most delicious assortment of scones, Raging Sage is a micro-roastery with a deep commitment to sustainable coffee growing and processing serving Tucson since 1998. In addition to the scones (did I mention those??) there is always an assortment of other sweet and savory goodies, some gluten free, and if you like what you’re drinking, coffee beans and Raging Sage’s specially blended teas are available for sale, as well.

There is a moderate amount of seating in the cozy main dining space, and the staff enforce a peaceful and conversational atmosphere by reminding patrons to take calls outside and keeping the wifi turned off until 11am. An iced Oaxacan mocha on the shady patio makes even a good day, better. 

---

Cartel Coffee Lab

2516 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
210 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701

If you want something in between a unique, local coffee shop and a larger chain, Cartel is a good bet. They have two locations in Tucson - one on Campbell north of Grant, and one downtown on Broadway between 4th and 5th Avenues - as well as some in Tempe/Scottsdale/Phoenix.

I like the atmosphere at both, with a slight preference for the downtown location because of its huge windows and location in a beautiful old industrial building.

Cartel specializes in single-origin coffees, most on the lighter, fruitier end of the taste spectrum. No dark roast, smoky cups of joe here! The taste and the presentation is unique and refined. The staff is friendly, and there are plenty of tables available. If you’re not into coffee, try their prickly pear herbal iced tea with a mesquite muffin...desert inspired and delish!

---

Caffe Luce

943 E University Blvd #191, Tucson, AZ 85719
4205 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
245 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

With their first location near the University of Arizona, Caffe Luce set themselves apart with a darker roast of coffee and a vibe reminiscent of the classic coffee houses on Portland and Seattle. They have since expanded to three locations in Tucson - one in the Trader Joe’s shopping center at Campbell and Limberlost, and another downtown on Congress - so you don’t have to go far to get a nice strong cup of joe.

The downton location has a more varied menu, some delicious little baked goods (mini-cobblers!) and you can jack up any coffee drink with a shot or two of booze.

---

Crave Coffee Bar

4530 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711

Bright, open and airy, while at the same time cushy and cozy….and with excellent coffee and baked goods (including baklava!). Crave Coffee Bar is hard to beat. Centrally located on Broadway near Craycroft, it’s an easy place to hang out all day when you have a project to finish, or if you want to have a business meeting in a casual setting.

Owner and master coffee roaster Fatmir Morina opened Crave after moving to Tucson from Europe in 2010. He has created something Tucson was lacking before: sprawling, eclectic space where people can relax and enjoy some excellent eats.

My Top 5 Favorite Tucson Birds

Ash Throated Flycatcher

This bird is on this list not because it is the most beautiful, not the most impressive...it’s here because it cracks me up! We had a breeding pair in our Saguaro in the backyard this Spring, and every morning, the birds would flutter themselves against our bedroom windows to startle insects off the screens. They caused a huge racket (at 5am!), and looked ridiculous doing it! They are quite lovely, and have a sweet song.

---

Northern Cardinal

You might be surprised to know that the Northern Cardinal lives year-round in Southeastern Arizona. The males can be seen by flashes of red amongst the green mesquite trees, and the songs of both males and females bubble out of the tree tops in the early mornings. Mated pairs stay close together, and if you put a seed block in your yard, you’re likely to see them. Cardinals defend their territory aggressively, and will attack their reflections in windows. Be sure to place bird deterrents around large windows if you have cardinals in the area.

---

Black Chinned Hummingbird

Almost every day, I see at least one of these on my morning walk. This is the most common hummingbird found in Southeastern Arizona, and can bee seen flitting from flower to flower, or sitting high up in the treetops. Their nests look like little bundles of cobwebs and can be mistaken for such, so be careful when pruning plants and trees in the springtime! This past April-May, we had a nest in our bouganvilla for the second year in a row:

---

Lesser Nighthawk

Neither a hawk, nor strictly nocturnal, Nighthawks are some really unusual birds! The first time I came across these was on a mountain bike ride through Sweetwater Preserve, shortly after moving back to Tucson. The sun was setting, and we were running out of light...then I heard this weird sound! Not long after, I saw at least a dozen of these birds with their small, graceful silhouettes swooping with white-striped wings, low over the treetops. 

---

Western Screech-Owl

This is one of my favorite birds to encounter. Not nearly as big or easily spotted as the Great-Horned Owl, this little bird is difficult to see unless you have adequate nesting available in your yard or you have very sharp eyes! The “bouncing ball” sound of its call coming in through a window in Spring or Fall is one of the most soothing sounds I can imagine. 

Top 5 Easy Hikes in Tucson Arizona

Sabino Canyon Lake Loop

2.3 MILES | NORTHEAST | SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY

Sabino Lake Loop is a 2.3 mile loop trail located near Tucson, Arizona that features a small lake and hiking along Sabino Creek. It’s a good trail for all skill levels, and if there is water in the canyon, you could be getting your feet wet!

Lots of options for picnics on the rocks or at some of the picnic tables scattered along the trail The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from September until May.

Start in the parking area at Sabino Canyon and follow signs to Sabino Dam, then you can stay on Bluff Trail, or walk along the creek for a spell and rejoin Bluff Trail to get you back to the main road.

---

Tucson Mountain Park | Bowen House

2.6 MILES | WEST | MAY THROUGH AUGUST

Bowen House (aka “The Stone House) via Camino de Oeste - This is an easy 2.6 mile out and back trail with many wash crossings and less than 200’ elevation change. It’s a very casual hike but there is very little to no shade, so go early or on a cool day and bring plenty of water.

 The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible year-round but is very sunny and hot May-August.

From Speedway/Gates Pass, head South on Camino de Oeste and park in the dirt lot at the end of the road. The trailhead is well marked. 

---

Mt. Lemmon | Aspen Trail & Marshall Gulch Loop Trail

4.4 MILES | NORTH | YEAR ROUND

Mt. Lemmon - Aspen Trail and Marshall Gulch Loop Trail is a 4.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail that features beautiful wild flowers and golden aspen trees in autumn, and is rated as moderate.

The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Drive through Summerhaven to the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area.

The trailhead is at the end of the road. You'll have to walk the last couple of hundred yards in winter when the road into the picnic area is closed. Don’t forget to pay the $5 parking fee! 

---

Lower Ventana Canyon

SET YOUR OWN LENGTH | NORTHEAST | SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY

The full Window Peak via Ventana Canyon Trail is a 12.4 mile out and back trail that is rated as difficult and gains over 4,000 feet up to the window (la ventana) at the top.

For a much more accessible hike, just do the first couple of miles which is relatively flat and shaded for a 1-2 hour out and back. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round.

Head North on Kolb past Sunrise. Turn right into the Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort and park in the first lot. The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot.

---

Catalina State Park | Romero Ruins Loop

0.6 MILES | NORTHWEST | YEAR ROUND

Catalina State Park, Romero Ruins Loop is a 0.6 mile loop trail located near Tucson, Arizona and is good for all skill levels.

The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Parking is on the North side of Catalina State Park Road, look for the trailhead sign across the street.

What do my ABR, GREEN certifications really mean?

ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients.

"I work with a lot of home buyers. Getting and maintaining my ABR designation ensures that I am up to date with best practices around supporting, neotiating, and reducing risk for buyers in real estate transactions."

GREEN - Green Designation

The National Association of REALTORS® has created a green designation and benefits program tailored for real estate agents. NAR's Green Designation provides advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices to better understand properties with green features.

"I'm personally interested in efficiency and conservation. The Green designation helps me better understand how to value efficiency upgrades to homes I'm helping to buy or sell.  In Tucson, we have unique challenges around efficiency, both when it comes to reducing water use and also managing the heat of the summer.  It turns out there's a lot we can each do that can save us money, make our homes more comfortable and help reduce energy consumption."

14 Song Titles That Mention Tucson

There are some classics and some no-so-well-know tracks on this list.
The legend of Tucson lives on in song. 

1. Closer — The Chainsmokers

2. Must Be Losing My Mind — Brett Dennen

3. Wouldn't Wanna Be Ya — Toby Keith

4. Road to Gila Bend — Los Lobos

5. Hows about tellin' a story? — Devendra Banheart

6. Idiot Summer — Gin Blossoms

7. Under African Skies — Paul Simon

8. Thumbelina — The Pretenders

9. Leila — ZZ Top

10. It Ain't All Bad — Charley Pride

11. Willin' — Linda Ronstadt

12. Seashores of Old Mexico — George Strait

13. Get Back — The Beatles

14. The Ballad of Boot Hill — Johnny Cash

Tucson Entertainment History - The Fox Theater
The art deco styled Fox Theater in Tucson was built in 1929, closed in 1974, and renovated from 1999 to 2005 at a cost of $13 million. The Fox now features music performance, comedy and seasonal movies -

→ Upcoming shows at the Fox.

---

Thanks to Tucson.com article linked below for list - to listen to songs above, click below.  
Note: Article claims 15 songs, but we only found 14 in their list.  Details!

http://tucson.com/entertainment/songs-that-have-the-word-tucson-in-them/article_c21cf938-801d-11e6-b260-d77f21578927.html

More songs found here on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tucson/comments/3pyim8/whats_your_favorite_song_that_mentions_tucson/