Question about North West Tucson (Casas Adobes, Oro Valley: neighborhood, university, living in)

[rjca]

Hi, I've been to Tucson once but it was a few years ago. I am going to be living in the NW part of Tucson for a time. What I'd like to know is if that area has anything to "do". Like, friendly sports bars, large shopping centers, places where you can mix and meet people. Or if it doesn't, about how far from NW Tucson I would have to drive just to have a place where I can walk around and relax.

I'm coming from O.C. California so I'm just not sure what to expect. I'm a 33 year old single man and I'm comfortable with all types of people, but I'd like to hang out with people my age or maybe a bit younger. There's a local quiet sports bar I frequent out here where I watch the games and I have a lot of friends there, I'm hoping to find a place like that where I'll be staying.

Any tips are appreciated.

[Bummer]

Exactly what part of Northwest Tucson are you referring to, rjca?

The Foothills Mall has a few "hangout" spots but, generally speaking, the area is more of a residential area as compared to a downtown or beach area.

[rjca]

Hi, well looking at Google Maps it is the area bordered by the 10, W. Orange Grove Rd, and N. La Cholla Blvd.

I can tell it's pretty residential, It looks like it's near the "Casas Adobes" Neighborhood, but much closer to the 10.

So it looks like I should be focusing on the Downtown area?

[rjca]

Are the Suns popular in Tucson?

I guess what I'm really looking for are places in Tucson where I can just watch a game in a laid back setting. I don't mind super crowded sports bars but I do have a preference for the quiter ones. So any recommendations on stuff like that would be great too.

[Jukesgrrl]

Welcome to NW Tucson.

I'm not a sports bar person, but I have an acquaintance who doesn't know a lot of people in town and likes to watch games in bars. He goes to the Fox and Hound, a bar-restaurant, which is in a stand-alone building right behind the Foothills Mall.

If you want a tiny place that is really quiet, try Grumpy's in the strip that's on the NW corner of Ina and Shannon. I know about it because my family loves their food (we think it's the best burger in Tucson). Grumpy has a small bar and TVs playing sports in every corner of the room. The people who run it are nice, and they leave you alone if you want them to. You might even be able to request a channel change if you don't see the game you're looking for.

I've also noticed a place called The Stadium Grill and Bar that is in a strip on Orange Grove near the intersection of Thornydale. http://www.stadiumgrill.net/page1.htm
It's next door to a breakfast-lunch place called The Crying Onion that is funky but has good food.

There's a BJ's Brewhouse (that's a California chain, isn't it?) on Oracle Road just south of the bigger Tucson Mall. It's further away from your location, but closer to the university, so it attracts a younger crowd. I doubt it could be termed "quiet," but their pizza is good, which is a rarity in Tucson, world HQ of inadequate pizza.

I'm sure you'll be able to find Suns games, but be warned that Arizona Wildcats Basketball is the local religion, far surpassing even interest in Wildcat football. The local news stations have entire programs devoted to analyzing what might happen in the coming game (not that there's anything wrong with that, natives!). Seriously, I used to spend a lot of time in State College, Pennsylvania, and Wildcat fever equals any Penn State football obsession I witnessed in Joe Paterno Country, which is saying something.

Have fun.

[rjca]

Thanks for that info Jukesgrrl, I really appreciate it. Thanks for the tip on the Wildcats too.

[Marcy1210]

I'm not a sports bar person, either, but when I took my son out to dinner on his birthday, he chose The Loop on Oracle next to the Holiday Inn Express in Oro Valley. They had several TV's showing different sporting events, and it was quiet (except for cheering the Widlcats) with good food, especially pizza.

[rjca]

Excellent, thanks Marcy.

[~PaperMoon~]

I walk right past that World's Sports Grille everyday after work and that place is always lively especially on the weekends. Last night(Saturday) it was full of people and very lively. That's a very nice place to hang out.

[Tashinamu8]

RJ:

Unfortunately, I'm with the rest. Not much of a Sports Bar person, but also want to clarify where in the Northwest. Although the Northwest is referred to as Tucson, it can mean the town of Oro Valley which is very much like Irvine, California - but not really. This is located north of Tucson proper and is considered part of the Greater Tucson Metro (comprised of Tucson and four other smaller satellite cities). The demographics for the area is much older in age than you. It is a town of planned communities Arizona style and not really any sports bars. Within that town is a large development called Rancho Vistoso. All of it is bounded by Oracle Road which is a main hub for us Northerners from the northern county line down into Tucson to the South. That being said, The Loop, already mentioned is in Oro Valley and there is another one, that I don't know the name, but it is in the shopping center at 1st and Oracle Road (Hwy 77) on the southwest corner in the same shopping center as Target, next to the Baskin Robbins (also in Oro Valley).

If you are here on the third weekend of September go to the annual GLOW Festival in Oracle which is family-oriented and a creative display of lights, arts and activities. It is affordable and will be nice to get out in the evening air.

Also, you should look into LaEncantada on Campbell and Sunrise. Not really close to you but there is a lot of activity for someone in your age group at a place called North. It has an open-air lounge, drinks, pizza, etc. and the gals are pretty. There are also other restaurants that are highly frequented there on weekend nights for socializing. LaEncantada is a combination shopping mall/entertainment center. It also can be a great date night spot until you find your style and place here.

Bring cotton breathable clothing. This is not your mom's weather from SoCal and plenty of sunscreen-even if you really love to tan. In fact, especially if you love to tan. The solar radiation (UV intensity) here is the greatest in the nation and is higher than most parts of the world. It's a great place, but do take some of the classes offered on wildlife here. We have all kinds of critters and even those people who live in developed areas aren't immune to finding something coiled in their patios or crawling on their walls at night. So, know what it is and you'll be fine and take the proper action.

Surf's up guy, but there's no water.