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The year was 2009 when Don Guerra started selling artisan bread from his Tucson garage.
That was the start of Barrio Bread, the bakery we now know and love, the bakery that later moved from his garage to a brick-and-mortar at 18 S. Eastbourne Ave. Now people line the sidewalk, eagerly waiting for Don’s sourdough. By 2022, Don received the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. He’s also since expanded into the Phoenix area with Barrio Bagel & Slice.
Don has long been a champion for Tucson, so I asked him: What does your dream day in Tucson look like? If you only had one day in Tucson, how would you spend it? This is what he said.
Stop 1: Tumamoc Hill
Even on the hottest of Tucson days, you can find Don waking up early (5 a.m. in the summers) to hike our beloved Tumamoc Hill.
“Tumamoc Hill is my favorite. It’s a nice in-town hike where you can see the city and surrounding area,” Don says. “That’s my top pick to do in the morning.”
Stop 2: Presta Coffee Roasters
As most would agree, a little bit of caffeine is needed after an early-morning hike. Don’s pick is Presta, which has four locations in Tucson. Don can’t pick a favorite location — he loves them all — but for the logistic purposes here, he’d leave Tumamoc Hill and head about a mile east to the Presta location inside the Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento.
His go-to order: a cappuccino.
Stop 3: Seis Kitchen
Located right next to Presta is Seis Kitchen, where you’ll often find a line of people waiting to order their birria tacos with a glass of horchata.
While Seis might be most known for lunch and dinner, the Mercado location at 130 S. Avenida del Convento also serves breakfast — chilaquiles, breakfast tacos and more. Don’s getting a breakfast burrito and enjoying it in the outdoor courtyard.
“I’m going to be so full from that breakfast burrito,” Don says.
Stop 4: Tohono Chul
“I would head up to Tohono Chul next. It’s beautiful there,” Don says.
Tohono Chul is home to 49 acres of desert at 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. It’s where you can walk among saguaros while spotting hummingbirds and butterflies. There are art galleries, an onsite bistro and an extension of downtown’s Children’s Museum.
Don especially loves the community events at the garden, like the summertime Chillin at the Chul, in which Tohono Chul stays open late with music, drinks and activities.
Stop 5: DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
You could spend hours at Tohono Chul — the whole day even. But before the sun goes down, Don would head to the incredible DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun.
“DeGrazia is a great trip for anybody,” Don says. “That property is amazing with art by an artist who is so Tucson.”
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Rd., began as a small project in the 1950s and became a 10-acre National Historic District by artist Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia. You’ll find six permanent collections in addition to rotating exhibits.
Stop 6: Loews Ventana Canyon
By now, it’s time for a cocktail and an early dinner. Don’s pick is Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, which houses Flying V, an upscale restaurant serving up short rib, beef tartare and salmon at 7000 N. Resort Dr.
“It’s so beautiful up there,” Don says.
Like the other spots, he’d get a seat on the patio of Flying V, which overlooks water. You might be sensing a pattern …
“My favorite thing about Tucson is all the outdoor living, especially this time of year when we just want to be outside,” Don says. “We are fortunate to get all this great weather for physical activity — hiking, walking, the botanical gardens, even swimming during this time of year which people think is crazy. I love swimming on a sunny afternoon on a winter day. It’s just all the opportunities to be outside, from physical activity to dining — I love all the patio seating that we have here.”
Honorable mentions
Because you can only fit so many activities into one day, here are a few more of Don’s favorite places:
- Tucson Museum of Art
- Cafe a la C’Art
- Sabino Canyon — “That’s one of my all-time favorite places to be,” he says.
- The Loop — “That was my therapy for many many years — spending hours on The Loop and riding the whole perimeter,” he says.
- Cup Cafe
- Tucson Racquet Club
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