Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2024.
Just 35 miles north of downtown 蜜柚直播 sits Oracle, the namesake road lined with yuccas on your way to the small town.
Oracle is where lavender blooms at a local farm in the heat of June. It鈥檚 where you can step into a rainforest, amid the heat and humidity, at the incredible Biosphere 2. It鈥檚 where you can enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich with guava jam alongside a glass of wine on the patio of the Oracle Patio Cafe. It鈥檚 a little cooler than 蜜柚直播 in the summer 鈥 and sometimes gets snow in winter.
But Jodi Criser's favorite part about Oracle is the community.
鈥淭hey band together through everything. Somebody needs help, they take care of each other,鈥 says Criser, who has lived in Oracle for several years and runs social media for .
If you happen to be in the area to visit Biosphere 2, the lavender farm or to stargaze in Oracle State Park, here are some other spots to visit in Oracle and the nearby town of Catalina while you're there. Most were suggested by area residents 鈥 Criser, plus Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm owner Carolyn Blair and ice cream shop Licks Catalina owner Jill Perez.
Licks Catalina is home to rotating ice cream flavors and the option to infuse the treat with cereal. This is the 蜜柚直播 Double Rainbow, with vanilla and strawberry ice cream, Lucky Charms, gummies, rainbow sprinkles and a sweet cream drizzle.
Where to eat
聽鈥 Owned by Perez, Licks is home to ice cream that can be infused with cereal. There are bubble waffle cones, Italian sodas and a whole menu of decadent signature desserts. Check out rotating flavors like maple walnut, strawberry shortcake and honey fig bacon. Blair says the ice cream is amazing聽鈥 and I agree. It's worth the trip to Catalina.
聽鈥 The Oracle Patio Cafe is home to amazing food, Blair says 鈥 breakfast, sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza. She raves about the pies. 鈥淭hey also have a market where you can pick up sandwiches, wine, amazing cheeses,鈥 she says. Criser says the deli is delicious and says their peach pie is dubbed the best in 蜜柚直播.聽
聽鈥 Blair says this Italian restaurant is delicious, owned by the 鈥渒indest people you will ever meet.鈥 Criser likes their pizza 鈥 鈥淲e have really great Italian food here,鈥 she says.
鈥 Located at 蜜柚直播 Zipline Adventures, the restaurant boasts the聽鈥渂est darn burgers around.鈥 Criser says it's delicious.
聽鈥 This Mexican American restaurant is where former #ThisIs蜜柚直播 food writer Andi Berlin stopped on her way through Oracle a couple years ago. 鈥淭he name makes it sound like a fast-food taqueria, but Casa Rivera鈥檚 is actually a homey Mexican restaurant with a first-rate breakfast menu,鈥 she wrote.
聽鈥 This reader-recommended spot is home to burgers, pizza, street tacos and smoked meats by the pound. There are more than a dozen beers on tap, plus yard games in the outdoor area.
聽鈥 Two readers recommended this membership-based coffee club, which boasts local events like painting parties and movie nights. Membership is 50 cents for the day or $10 for life!聽
SolarSpace, a 蜜柚直播-based startup, is using licensed UA solar technology for off-grid applications including electric vehicle charging stations at the UA Center for Innovation at Biosphere 2.
Things to do
聽鈥 Owned by the University of 蜜柚直播, Biosphere 2 is dubbed 鈥渢he world鈥檚 largest controlled environment dedicated to understanding the impacts of climate change.鈥 You'll take a self-directed tour, guided by a phone app that teaches you about the scientific research you're walking through. You'll see a room that a Biospherian lived in, the world's largest experimental ocean, a rainforest (yes, humidity and all) and more environmental biomes.
聽鈥 If you鈥檙e looking for something a bit more adventurous to add to your itinerary, this is it. Criser says it's the longest zipline in the state and it's聽鈥渟o cool,鈥 she says, also mentioning the scenic views.聽鈥淭hey have the Peppersauce Kitchen with it and it's delicious food, so you can go on the zip and go eat.鈥
聽鈥 Come June, you can walk amid blooming lavender and take in the earthy scents on open farm days. When lavender season rolls around each summer, Blair hosts a number of events including workshops on how to make lavender wreaths and wands, plus a fairy festival and lavender-inspired dinners. She hosts activities in fall, too.
聽鈥 Bask in the outdoors at this park where you can tour the historic Kannally Ranch House, enjoy a picnic and explore 15 trails. It's also an International Dark Sky Park, which makes it a great spot for stargazing. I also imagine it's a picturesque place to watch the sunset. Bonus outdoorsy activity: !
聽鈥 Drive east on American Avenue and on your right, you'll see a giant yard with metal art and quirky fixtures out front. That's Parradise Ranch, formerly called Sue & Jerry鈥檚 Trading Post, where you can shop from an explosion of antiques, home goods, clothing, DVDs and more. Blair says it鈥檚 鈥渟o fun to visit!鈥澛
鈥 Perez says this thrift shop is often busy and is one of her favorite spots in the area. According to the shop鈥檚 website, Golden Goose benefits both Saddlebrooke Community Outreach and Impact of Southern 蜜柚直播.
聽鈥 鈥淒efinitely go see Pam at Absolutely Art! It鈥檚 fantastic,鈥 Perez says about the store鈥檚 owner. The space is home to artwork by 蜜柚直播 makers, from paintings to ceramics to jewelry.
Phyllis Christie, left, and Pamela Thompson put the finishing touches on their wreaths at Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm in Oracle on June 1, 2023.
Upcoming events
聽鈥 There are a ton of events happening at the lavender farm during bloom season, including workshops, tours, yoga and an ode to Frida Kahlo. Check out the farm's events .
鈥 Every Wednesday, a local farmers market takes over Parradise Ranch, complete with live music, food and shopping. Both Perez and Criser recommend it.聽鈥淚t is unlike anything I have ever witnessed,鈥 Criser says.
聽鈥 Head to Triangle L Art Ranch for illuminated art experience 鈥淕LOW!鈥澛燱ander through 10 acres of trails filled with glowing artwork. Tickets are $65 per carload and the experience takes place Oct. 18-19.
鈥 On Nov. 2-3, area artists will open up their studios. Criser says about 40 artists usually participate, allowing guests to drive through town and talk to makers about their creations and their inspiration behind each piece.聽鈥淲e have artists who have shown in museums and if you love art, it's a great thing to check out,鈥 she says.