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Life in Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista, Arizona is a flourishing city located 70 miles southeast of Tucson. This thriving community of nearly 45,000 is the regional center of southeastern Arizona and the home of historic Fort Huachuca.
Surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of majestic mountain ranges and the San Pedro River, Sierra Vista boasts a temperate year-round climate, abundant sunshine, and clean, fresh air.
Typical of many U.S. Army installations, a small community developed outside the post gates known today as Sierra Vista. As it grew, the community went through several name changes. In 1915, it was called Buena, then changed to Overton, then to Garden Canyon and later to Fry. When incorporated in 1956, the city was once again renamed and became Sierra Vista. Since its incorporation, Sierra Vista has steadily grown to encompass more than 130 square miles.
The population of Sierra Vista has grown steadily over the years. When it was incorporated in 1956, Sierra Vista's population was just over 1670. By 2001 the population had grown to 38,710. By 2004 it was an estimated 42,800.
Sierra Vista sits at an elevation of 4,623 feet and is surrounded by mountain peaks reaching nearly 10,000 feet. Sierra Vista offers a temperate four-season climate with ample sunshine. Sierra Vista, translating to Mountain View in Spanish, sits alongside the Huachuca, Dragoon, Mule, and Whetstone Mountains.
Sierra Vista offers year-round activities and events for families of all ages. From two championship golf courses, public and private tennis courts, a firearms range, neighborhood parks, indoor aquatics center and several sports clubs, there is something for everyone. There are also several service clubs, veterans groups, and fraternal organizations that are active in the city, and there are more than 30 places of worship.
Nicknamed the "Hummingbird Capital of the United States," bird watchers from all over the world flock to nearby Ramsey Canyon Preserve and other local canyons to observe and photograph hundreds of different bird species. Other outdoor adventures can be found by visiting the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, the Coronado National Memorial in the Huachuca Mountains, Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, Chiricahua National Monument, Madera Canyon, and the spectacular Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Visit the Sierra Vista Convention and Visitors Bureau for additional information on upcoming activities and events.
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Entertainment and Shopping
Sierra Vista offers a variety of entertainment and shopping options. Visit the links below for more information.
Cinemark
2175 El Mercado Loop
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.cinemark.com
(520) 458-1936
Uptown 3
4641 State Hwy 92
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
(520) 378-2858
Bisbee Repertory Theatre
94 Main Street
Bisbee, AZ
(520) 432-3786
Grand Theatre
1139 G Av
Douglas, AZ
(520) 364-6144
Blockbuster
2085 E. Fry Blvd.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.blockbuster.com
(520) 452-8444
Hastings Books Music & Video
3758 E. Fry Blvd.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.gohastings.com
(520) 459-8130
Movies to Go
1048 E. Fry Blvd.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
(520) 458-5882
Desert Lanes
Ft. Huachuca, AZ
(520) 533-2849
The Cove
Sierra Vista Aquatic Center
2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.ci.sierra-vista.az.us/thecove/default.htm
(520) 417-4800
The Mall at Sierra Vista
2200 El Mercado Loop
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.themallatsierravista.com
(520) 452-0011
The Home Depot
3500 Avenida Cochise
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.homedepot.com
(520) 439-2806
Kmart
2011 E Fry
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.kmart.com (520) 459-0345
Target
4151 East Hwy 90
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.target.com
(520) 452-0035
Wal-Mart
657 State Hwy 90
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.walmart.com
(520) 458-8790
Lowe’s
3700 Martin Luther King Parkway
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Website: www.lowes.com
(520) 439-3640
Sierra Vista
Applebee’s
American
3899 El Mercado Loop
520-459-1664
Buffalo Wild Wings Bar and Grill
Bar/Grill
Fry Blvd./Hwy 92
Bunbuku Restaurant
Korean/Japanese
297 W. Fry Blvd.
520-458-6993
Buzz Breads
Bakery/Coffee
2151 S. Hwy 92 Ste. 106
520-459-0010
Caffe O Le'
American/Variety
400 E Fry Blvd.
520-458-6261
Chili’s
American
4001 E Highway 90
520-439-4800
Delios Italian Restaurant & Old World Pizza
Italian/Pizza
3637 S. Hwy 92
520- 378-1066
Denny’s Restaurant
American
2397 E. Fry Blvd.
520-458-1900
El Paso Bar-B-Que Company
American
4177 E Highway 90
Famous Sam’s Bar and Grill
Bar/Grill
2239 E. Fry Blvd
520-458-8055
Golden Corral Buffet
798 S. Hwy 92
520-458-6138
La Casita Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
Mexican
465 E. Fry Blvd.
520-458-2376
www.lacasitarestaurantandcantina.com
Mesquite Tree
Fine Dining - American
6398 S State Hwy 92
520- 378-2758
Outback Steakhouse
American
99 S. Highway 92
520-458-1313
Peacock Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese
80 S Carmichael Ave
520-459-0095
Peter Piper Pizza
Pizza 155 S. Hwy 92
520-458-1570
Pizza Hut Italian Bistro
Italian/Pizza
900 E. Fry Blvd
520-459-6300
Quiznos
Deli
Fry Blvd./7th St.
Ricardo’s
American/Mexican
S State Hwy 92
520- 378-3220
Tanuki Sushi Bar & Garden
Japanese
1221 E. Fry Blvd
520-459-6853
Texas Roadhouse
American
2075 El Mercado Loop
Sierra Vista, AZ 85650
Phone: 520-459-7400
Fax: 520-459-7420
The Bakers Flor
Deli/Bakery
1481 E. Fry Blvd Ste. 3
520-417-2253
The Outside Inn Restaurant
Fine Dining - Continental
4907 S. Highway 92
520-378-4645
Vinny’s New York Pizza
Italian/Pizza
1977 Frontage Road
520-459-2315
Longhorn Restaurant
American
501 E. Allen Street
(520)457-3405
The Lamplight Room
American/Mexican
108 North Fourth Street
(877) 225-1319
The Nellie Cashman Restaurant
American
117 South Fifth Street
(520) 457-2212
Ranch22 Restaurant & Bar
Fine Dining - American
801 North Highway 80 West
(520) 457-9122
Bisbee Grille
Fine Dining - American
Copper Queen Plaza
520-432-6788
Café Roka (advanced reservations needed)
Italian
35 Main Street
520-432-5153
Rosa’s Little Italy
Italian
7 Bisbee Road
520-432-1331
Santiago’s
Mexican
#1 Howell Avenue
520-432-1910
Sierra Vista sits at an elevation of 4,623 feet. The average monthly temperature ranges from an average low of 34 degrees in both December and January to an average high of 93 degrees in both June and July. The average monthly precipitation ranges from 0.26 inches in May to 3.85 inches in August.
Sierra Vista Weather
MONTH |
AVG. HIGH AVG. LOW |
AVG. PRECIP. |
January |
62°F 34°F |
1.19 in |
February |
65°F 36°F |
0.65 in |
March |
70°F 41°F |
0.44 in |
April |
77°F 46°F |
.36 in |
May |
85°F 53°F |
.26 in |
June |
93°F 62°F |
.38 in |
July |
93°F 66°F |
3.01 in |
August |
90°F 64°F |
3.85 in |
September |
87°F 60°F |
1.29 in |
October |
79°F 50°F |
1.16 in |
November |
69°F 40°F |
0.45 in |
December |
62°F 34°F |
0.98 in |
Source: The Weather Channel © and Cochise College Center for Economic Research
There are several housing options available locally. Whether you are looking to purchase or rent a home, townhouse, manufactured home or apartment, Sierra Vista and surrounding communities have a variety of chioces. Buying conditions are favorable for home buyers, with the median home price in Sierra Vista at $205,500. Apartments rentals average $532 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and home rental average $993 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence. The cost of living in Sierra Vista is comparable to the national average at a current rate of 96.9.
Primary and Secondary Education
Post-secondary Education Opportunities
Surrounding Sierra Vista are communities with unique style, attractions and history. Fort Huachuca, Benson, Bisbee, and Tombstone are legendary communities within a short drive of one another. Also short distances away are Douglas and Nogales, international border towns that offer great shopping and dining experiences. These communities are great locations to visit or relocate to.
Fort Huachuca Fort Huachuca, a National Historic Landmark, is a product of the Indian Wars of the 1870s and 1880s. In March 1877 a camp at the mouth of Huachuca Canyon was established with two missions: protect settlers in the area and stop Apache raiding parties from escaping into Mexico. Geronimo’s surrender in 1886 all but ended the Apache danger in Southern Arizona and the Army closed more than 50 camps and forts in the territory. Fort Huachuca was retained due to continuing border troubles. The all African-American 24th Infantry was the first entire regiment stationed at the Fort. The 10th Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers" arrived in 1913, served in Pershing's punitive expedition against Pancho Villa in 1916, and helped guard the U.S.-Mexican border until 1931. Following World War II, the fort was declared surplus and transferred to the State of Arizona. In 1954, the Chief Signal Officer, United States Army, discovered southeastern Arizona ideal in area and climate for the testing of electronic and communications equipment. As a result, the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground (EPG) reopened Fort Huachuca as an active Army Post. From that time on, the Post has steadily increased in importance as a vital contributor to the national defense.
Fort Huachuca was annexed by the City of Sierra Vista in 1972, and these two entities currently enjoy one of the most cordial relationships in the United States
Benson Although founded in 1880 Benson civilization began long before even the Spanish missionary, Father Eusibio Kino, established Catholic missions in the late 1600's. For thousands of years Native Americans made their home along the San Pedro River. Familiar names like Cochise, Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches and Geronimo, an Apache freedom fighter who with his band of warriors eluded the American army for many years, are very much a part of the history of the beautiful San Pedro Valley. The U.S. Army waged a difficult campaign against the Chiricahua to protect the homesteaders that began to make their way to the new territory. It was during this time the Mormons settled in St. David and the Butterfield Stage was founded. As the dust of the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach and Pony Express cleared, Benson matured into a bustling railroad town. In 1880 the Transcontinental Southern Pacific Railroad opened the way for two more major rail lines. Its lifeblood was the copper and silver flowing from the neighboring mining communities of Tombstone, Fairbanks, and Bisbee. Benson and the San Pedro River Valley are rich in natural wonders and provide a home for a myriad of wildlife, including more than 500 species of birds. In the surrounding mountains and San Pedro Riparian areas, are hiking trails, bird watching, and camping. The area boasts a beautiful temperate climate year-round.
Bisbee Bisbee was founded in 1880 and named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, a financial backer of the Copper Queen Mine. One of the richest mineral sites in the world, Bisbee produced close to three million ounces of gold and more than eight billion pounds of copper in its prime. Amazingly, in the early 1900s, the Bisbee community was the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco with a population of 20,000 people. Bisbee was rebuilt in 1908 after being destroyed by fire, but its homes and the downtown area still hold a Victorian charm.
As the mines were depleted, the population began to shrink. Mining operations on such a grand scale became unprofitable. The mine eventually closed when mining operations were discontinued in Bisbee in mid–1970. The Queen Mine opened once again as a tour for visitors in 1976. Bisbee today is rich in architecture and culture, with its numerous art galleries, antique stores, gourmet restaurants, craft shops, museums, and period Bed and Breakfast accommodations as well as hotels. Nestled in the mile-high Mule Mountains of southern Arizona, Bisbee resembles a European hamlet more than a dusty 1880's Old West town.
Tombstone "The Town too Tough to Die," Tombstone is perhaps one of the most well-known towns in Arizona. When Ed Schieffelin came to Camp Huachuca with a group of soldiers and left the fort to prospect, his companions told him that he'd find his tombstone rather than silver because of the constant danger of hostile Apaches. So, when Schieffelin made his first strike in 1877, he named the claim Tombstone. News of his silver strike spread and quickly brought prospectors, miners, businessmen, fortune hunters, lawmen, and the lawless until the population of Tombstone reached 12,000 to 15,000 in 1881. Today, Tombstone’s population is 1,800. Surging waters in the mines ended the boom in the late 1890's, but not before names like Virgil, Morgan, and Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the OK Corral and the Clanton Gang were household words throughout the nation. During World War I, Tombstone was a major producer of manganese for the government. In World War II, Tombstone was extracting lead for the cause. After both conflicts, Tombstone faded into obscurity. The citizenry of Tombstone decided rather than depending on a vanishing mining industry, they would focus their time and energy on tourism and restoration. Truly a Historical American Landmark, Tombstone is America's best example of our 1880 western heritage, which is well preserved with original 1880's buildings and artifacts featured in numerous museums. The wild days of the 1880's are recreated each year with the exciting three-day celebrations: Wyatt Earp Days, Memorial Day weekend; Rendezvous of Gunfighters, Labor Day weekend; and Heldorado Days, the third Friday weekend in October.
Whether it’s by car, bike or bus, getting around Sierra Vista is easy. Traffic issues are minimal, so traveling across town or from home to work, only takes a few minutes. There is a public transit system that is available at many locations throughout Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca. In addition, the city maintains pedestrians and bike paths that encompass a major part of the city.
Looking to visit a nearby destination? Sierra Vista is located near many places of interest. Whether you are planning your afternoon drive or a weekend vacation, you are just a short distance away.
Driving Distances to Nearby Destinations
Tombstone
22 mi. 37 minutes
Bisbee
25 mi. 35 minutes
Benson
33 mi. 41 minutes
Douglas
51 mi. 1hr. 9 minutes
Tucson
72 mi. 1 hr. 19 minutes
Phoenix
186 mi. 3 hrs.
El Paso
303 mi. 4 hrs. 25 minutesAlbuquerque 435 mi. 6 hrs. 19 minutes
San Diego
480 mi. 7hrs. 6 minutes Las Vegas
556 mi. 8 hrs. Los Angeles
559 mi. 8 hrs. 23 minutes
Employment
Opportunities
Brandy Herrera, Manager, Recruitment, Compensation &
HRIS
Cristal
Rivera,Professional Recruiter
(520) 417-3123
