I am going to Tucson in November and am starting to put together my itinerary. However, I'm having a hard time getting a grasp of this city because it seems so spread out. Are there any areas in particular that I should avoid due to safety? I will mostly be in the sections where the sights I want to see are (Arizona Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Saguaro Nat'l Park, El Presidio Historic area etc), but also want to just drive around and see the area as well. What areas should be avoided? For example, one guidebook mentioned the section just south of downtown was not the best, but what exactly is considered downtown (streets that border the downtown).
Thanks, any help in understanding the area better would be great.

I am in Tucson twice a year and although there are areas that you need to be careful I have never had a problem during the day. I think it is more important to be aware of the driving on the highways and avoid eye contact with other drivers. Road rage is an issue in Phoenix and Tucson just like in a lot of cities.

If you're not getting out of your car, I can't imagine there are any sections of Tucson that are too dangerous to drive through.

OK, I live in Tucson and suggest you use the same common sense you would use in any other city. If you stray into an area that does not look "good" get out. Tucson is not a city for walking so you will be in your car anyway, keep doors locked and just use normal/common sense precautions. I travel alot and practice what I preach both in the U.S. and abroad.

I am always reluctant to post actual street names as places to avoid .. you never know if the next poster is going to say "hey I live there, it's not so bad". Let's just say I would avoid South Tucson tho.

Get yourself a good map, downtown is marked on them (AAA maps). To be honest, most locals don't hang out downtown much, it's mostly gov. bldgs anyway. Last time I was down there was because of jury duty.

Tucson is spread out, the Foothills area is lovely, the far east side is also very nice, as is Oro Valley and Northwest (including Marana). These are all "safe" areas, but things can happen anyplace.

The tourist areas you mention are all perfectly fine. There are areas of town that are "old", including many areas around the Univ. of Arizona. That does not mean they are unsafe.

By the way, I'd also add the Mission San Xavier del Bac to your list of things to see. It's about 10 miles south of town off Interstate 19.

As for the road rage comment -- well, Tucson drivers are no better, or no worse then anyplace else I've found. Some are horrible, some are fine. We do have alot of serious traffic because we are short on freeways so much driving is on local streets that are not equiped to handle the volume. That causes frustration. Try NOT to drive during rush hour, I know I always got annoyed at tourists who just "had" to be out at 8 a.m. or 5 p.m.

There are many beautiful hotels in town and very scenic areas. Nov. is a nice time of year for outdoor activities, you should have a good time.

I would second everything Lori said. I also live in Tucson, and there are really no place I would hesitate going to in a car. As in virtually every city of any size, however, there are places you might want to avoid at night.

I do have several web sites you can visit to find out about various areas in Southern Arizona. Let me know if you would like some additional suggestions, also what interests you (museums, art galleries, "old west" stuff, etc.

Okay, I have one more question along the same lines--what exactly is considered South Tucson? The airport area? For example-- I was planning on driving from the airport up to my hotel without taking Route 10 (as I hate highways-- much prefer driving city streets). If I pick a street like Campbell or Park or any other street that leads from the airport will I be driving through "rough" neighborhoods? I travel alone and don't especially want to be someplace that is considered not so great. Thanks

You will be OK exiting the airport. There is actually lot of new construction (homes) around the a/p and if you stay on main streets you will be fine. Follow signs, Tucson Blvd. to Irvington/Benson Highway intersection (it is tricky there, pay attention to street signs). Follow Irvington to Kino Parkway (Kino turns into Campbell). Campbell all the way north to Sunrise which turns into Ina Rd. It's a long drive, once Campbell gets north of River Rd. it is just a two lane road full of twists and turns (pretty tho).

Don't take Park, it's not a direct route to where you want to go and does not go through a great area either.

If you do decide to take the Freeway it is sometimes less confusing to exit the a/p on Tucson Blvd. make a right turn on Valencia Rd. and then a left on Palo Verde. Palo Verde will go right to I-10. You would then take I-10 to Ina Rd. exit. Get off heading East and follow Ina Rd. The entrance to Westward Look is a little ways past the intersection of Ina and Oracle. Be prepared for alot of traffic at Ina and Oracle no matter what time of time you go through there.

I hope I got my streets right, sometimes when you live in a place you are on remote control and just turn where you know you are supposed to

I don't live too far from Westward Look
but getting to it from a/p is a crap shoot - local streets can be hell. Generally it is much faster to take I-10 up and Ina across. Not terrible scenic but faster.

Great, thanks for the help!

South Tucson is a city within a city. It is a one square mile city (town, really), completely surrounded by Tucson.

You will not have any problems driving to the airport using Park Avenue or Campbell (which turns into Kino Parkway).

BTW -- some of the best of Tucson's Mexican restaurants are in South Tucson.