Tucson Adventure: The Historic 4th Avenue Street Fair & Sonoran Desert Love

You may know that I participated in my first-ever out-of-state market a few weeks ago, and I thought I'd share some highlights and recommendations from the trip. 

Days 1-5: Historic 4th Avenue Street Fair

After a 6-7-hour drive from Oceanside, we arrived in Tucson. The drive was, as always, amazing. I'm always floored by the topography and landscapes I see when traveling to Arizona. The traffic lessens once you get a few miles past San Diego, and the views become even more spectacular. Checking in to the Air BNB was easy, and our host had all the required parking permits ready for us. We were just over a block from 4th Avenue, which meant we were able to park the car and forget it once the festival started. 

Dinner on night one was a true highlight. A friend recommended Tumerico, and now I'm passing along that recommendation! Tumerico is a vegan restaurant serving some of the best food in town. I ordered the vegan Cuban tacos (you can get them with cheese too, if you like) made with jackfruit, plantains, and cilantro lime sauce. AMAZING. Five stars all the way. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere; they don't take reservations, and you order at the counter. The line was almost out the door when we arrived, but the service was fast and friendly. 

On day two, we focused on registration and setup. After getting our paperwork and purchasing festival t-shirts, we decided to take a walk and scope out our booth location. During that walk, we met a fellow vendor who gave us some pro tips on setup (he has been participating for 19 years!). Soon, it was 2:00, and it was time to set up our booth. After a few hours of work and meeting our lovely neighbors, we were done for the day and ready for the market to begin!

The next three days were market days. This market was, by far, the biggest market I've ever participated in, and I met so many great people. On Saturday, I had a single-day record for sales, which was exciting. Best sellers from the day included my Turquoise Jewelry Collection, using turquoise from Arizona mines and the Sedona Inspired Jewelry Collection. The 4th Avenue Street Fair happens twice a year, in the spring and fall. If you're in Tucson during the event, I highly recommend attending to see all of the great art, musicians, food, and, of course, handmade jewelry! 

By Saturday night, the weather had turned on us, and a storm had blown through Tucson all day Sunday. Luckily, the new tent I purchased held up well, and we stayed dry and secure. 

Dinner on Sunday night was another standout meal. We ate at Postino Grant and ordered bruschetta and a salad. The bruschetta board includes four pieces that you can choose from a wide selection. We decided on the Brie, Apple & Fig Spread, the Ricotta, Dates & Pistachio, the Salami & Pesto, and the Prosciutto Di Parma, Fig & Mascarpone. Yes, we like figs :) My mouth is watering thinking about it. So good. I just found out they have a location in Del Mar, so I have a new SD restaurant to add to the rotation!

Days 6 - 7: The Sonoran Desert & Birthday Celebration

On Monday, before checking into our hotel, we visited the Sonoran Desert Museum. This place is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Tucson. The museum is a combination of a zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum, and it is home to over 230 animal species and 1,200 plant species. The museum also has a stunning display of gemstones mined in Arizona, including the famous turquoise and copper minerals found in the state. 

The botanical gardens at the Sonoran Desert Museum are a true highlight of the destination. The gardens are home to various cacti, succulents, and other desert plants. The gardens are beautifully landscaped and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and desert landscape. The museum also has a bird aviary, which reminded me of my baby hummingbirds at home :) 

Once we got to the hotel, we got a room upgrade. We were upgraded to the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE! Ya'll, this has NEVER happened to me before, and it was so lovely. It was a true luxury (the room had more square footage than my whole house!) and a gift to celebrate my husband's birthday in style! After a few days of rest, relaxation, and celebration, we were off and headed back to my beloved California. It was a trip I won't forget. 

A few pictures of the trip!