Entire home

Quiet Eco-Friendly Home Close to Downtown & Desert—Wildlife in Abundance!

Photo gallery for Quiet Eco-Friendly Home Close to Downtown & Desert—Wildlife in Abundance!

Sunset from the front yard
A fearless hummingbird visitor. Pic taken without zoom from back porch chair.
Back porch arbor/garden
View from the arbor
Sunny and cozy living room with cactus and mountain views
Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5123 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer

Explore the area

Map
Tucson, AZ
  • Popular LocationTucson Convention Center10 min drive
  • Popular LocationUniversity of Arizona11 min drive
  • Popular LocationTucson Mall12 min drive
  • AirportTucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)20 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Quiet Eco-Friendly Home Close to Downtown & Desert—Wildlife in Abundance!

This 1960s ranch home in a quiet West side neighborhood in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains has recently been remodeled with an eye to comfort and water-consciousness. The private pollinator-friendly organic garden in the backyard is sustained by harvested rainwater and visited regularly by hummingbirds, finches, butterflies, native bees, and quail. Over the past several years we have been working on habitat restoration in the previously gravel yard. Every year we add more rain basins and more native-critter-friendly plants! You are quite likely to see our local javelina herd ambling by in the front or along the fenced easement behind the house, and you may fall asleep to a coyote concert. When you sit on the back patio looking over the spacious yard, you'll be able to take in the Catalina mountains, mature mesquite and palo verde trees, magnificent clouds or storms depending on the season, and the occasional hawk or vulture. At night, the moon and stars are radiant and the nighthawks dart through the yard.

But in ten minutes, you can be downtown enjoying a delicious meal in one of our many excellent restaurants, taking in a show, or dancing the night away. If your preferences are more outdoorsy, ten minutes in the opposite direction puts you in Tucson Mountain Park for biking, hiking, critter-watching, glorious sunsets, and stargazing. Twenty-five minutes puts you at Saguaro National Park West or the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If you come for the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, a short drive down the hill puts you in the middle of the I-10 vendor corridor, and an even shorter drive gets you to the SunTran bus park & ride, where a free bus can get you where you want to be. We also have a pair of bicycles available. If you would like to use them, please let us know in advance (note: our neighborhood is quite hilly).

The kitchen appliances and washer/drier have all been updated. Throughout the house, you'll find books and art focused on the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. There's a gas fireplace and two full bedrooms. The third bedroom is set up as an office/bedroom if you need to work remotely while you are with us. There's no television and no cable, but there is strong wifi.

The owners live next door, should you need anything--though don't worry, we know how to respect your privacy! If you choose, we can provide you with purified rainwater to drink and fresh eggs from our chickens. Depending on season and your interest, you can also meet our 50-year old Desert Tortoise Mr. T or our Desert King Snake Sli. And, if you are interested in learning more about rainwater harvesting and water-conscious desert living, we are happy to chat! Just let us know. If you prefer your solitude, we totally understand.

Note that longer stays (more than 10 days) may entail additional cleaning fees.

Property manager

Melanie C

Languages

Arabic, English, French, Spanish

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Well behaved dogs, any size welcome. 4 ft fence.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses a grey water recycling system and eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Tucson

Located in Tucson, this vacation home is in the city center and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Saguaro National Park, while Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Pima Air and Space Museum are cultural highlights. International Wildlife Museum and Tucson Indoor Sports Center are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • Starr Pass Golf Club - 9 min drive
  • Fox Theatre - 9 min drive
  • Tucson Convention Center - 10 min drive
  • University of Arizona - 11 min drive
  • Tucson Mall - 12 min drive

Getting around

  • Tucson Station - 9 min drive
  • Tohono Transit Center - 16 min drive
  • Tucson International Airport (TUS) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 4 min drive
  • Whataburger - 7 min drive
  • 1912 Brewing Company - 7 min drive
  • Daisy Mae's Steakhouse - 5 min drive
  • Taco Bell - 5 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sam T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great desert stay
Melanie and Nick are very accommodating hosts. The location is as advertised, real close to downtown and also very close to some impressive hiking. My two friends and I worked from here and we only had a bit of WiFi trouble when all three of us were on calls. Overall, a great place to stay in Tucson.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

jonathan p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tucson Station
This was our second stay here. Melanie and Nick are outstanding hosts.They have made a number of beautiful changes ,especially in the back yard. The home is meticulously well maintained and thoughtfully outfitted . The listing, if anything, understates the attractiveness of this property.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pauline P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tucson near Saguaro park
This is a perfect base for those who want to hike in the Saguaro NP East & West, as well as being close to city amenities. The house is comfortable, very well equipped and maintained. In desert country, the garden of the house is a real oasis of peace and birds. The hosts are exceptionally helpful and informative.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lora S., Evanston, IL USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Backyard Birding Paradise
Having never been to Tucson, we weren't sure where to stay, and settled on this home in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. It's a great location for hikers--only a 15-minute drive to get to a multitude of trails in both Tucson Mountain Park AND Saguaro National Park. And only 10 minutes to Gates Pass, where you can watch the most breathtaking sunsets! We thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the patio every morning, sipping tea and coffee, and watching a multitude of birds, from quail to hummingbirds. Our hosts, Melanie and Nick, were so welcoming and considerate. They really go the extra mile to make sure their guests have a great experience. The weather was warm during our stay and our only disappointment was that the pool was covered for the winter. Hope to have a chance to return in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca D., Indianapolis

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet, amazing stay
When I booked this property, it was so new there were no ratings. But I just knew it was going to be perfect and it was! Melanie and Nick are super accommodating and thoughtful. Mr. T, their desert tortoise, is a real treat when he's awake. They have chickens that lay delicious eggs. The house has everything you need. Beds are very comfortable. The property is very private and I wish it had been warm enough to enjoy the pool! You will not regret booking this property!!! I hope to come back again. :)
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

About the host

Hosted by Melanie C

Host profile image
I'm a desert rat--a Midwestern transplant who has lived in Tucson for over 30 years. I'm passionate about the beautiful and extraordinary Sonoran desert and living sustainably in harmony with it.

Why they chose this property

This home is one that we purchased for my parents to winter and ultimately retire in, so I've renovated the yard and house with my beloved family in mind. Every choice has been made with the comfort and joy of my parents in mind--and I continue to improve it at every opportunity! I'm delighted to welcome you as a guest in the space. You make this dream of my family living close by a possibility, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.

What makes this property unique

If you have an interest in sustainable living, water-conscious desert living, organic gardening, rainwater harvesting, or desert critters, I'm your gal! I'm happy to talk to you about what choices we've made to improve the sustainability of the house and garden--or not if you'd prefer to just enjoy it in peace. :)

Languages:

English, French, Spanish, Arabic
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