A short drive from the heart of Tucson, Catalina is best known as the idyllic starting point for hikes and horseback riding into the Catalina Mountains. Catalina altitude, a full 1,000 feet higher than the city of Tucson's, means temperatures are 5 to 10 degrees lower and receives twice as much rain. Catalina lifestyle is enhanced by its neighbors, the Coronado Notational Forest and Catalina State Park.

Area: 14 square miles
Location: 15 miles north of Tucson on Oracle Highway

Major Communities

• Black Horse Ranch
• Eagle Crest Ranch