Create your own Arizona day trip experience!

Whether you wish to plan a trip to see nature and wildlife, learn about the history of the southwest or just want to get away from it all Arizona has a variety of places to see and things to do that will interest any recreational adventurer.

Day trips make a refreshing break from the chaos of the daily routine. They can also be cheap, since many of the areas are distant from the city.

Arizona features a surprising range of terrain that includes desert, grassy lowlands and vegetated mountain regions. The climate found across the state also shows much variety. And you don't have to travel far to appreciate this assortment of scenery. In the summer you can take a break in the cool, nearby hills, while the lower lying areas are more popular in the winter months.

Arivaca is in Southern Arizona. The community is 56 miles southwest of Tucson on Interstate 19 approximately 11 miles from the Mexico border.

Father Kino was one of the first Europeans to visit this region. He visited the Pima Indians in 1695. In 1833, the Mexican government granted Tomas and Ignacio Ortiz. They soon gained ownership where the brothers built the Aribac Ranch and raised cattle and horses.

In 1856, the Ortiz brothers sold the land to the Sonora Exploring and Mining Company and the ranch soon became an active mining community. But when the mines closed the area was largely abandoned.

Charles Poston acquired the property in 1870 then transferred his rights to the Arivaca Land and Cattle Company. The U.S. Government did not recognize the title so the land was declared public property.

Today, Arivaca is the home of about eight cattle ranches. The region is ideal for cattle grazing and orchards. The town has a community center, two tennis courts, two softball fields and a library.

The area