Welcome to El Paso, Texas — the Sun City, where desert mountains meet the Rio Grande and two nations live side by side. I’m your UCPlaces tour guide, and we’re about to explore a city unlike anywhere else in America. Here, the border with Mexico isn’t just geography — it’s part of daily life. Just across the river lies Ciudad Juárez, and together these two cities form one of the largest binational communities in the world. The name El Paso means “The Pass” in Spanish — short for El Paso del Norte, “The Pass of the North.” Early Spanish explorers used this spot as a natural corridor through the mountains along the Rio Grande. It became a gateway for trade, migration, and culture — a role it still plays today. El Paso’s story stretches back hundreds of years — from Indigenous tribes and Spanish missions to frontier settlers, soldiers, and modern families who built a city that’s now a vibrant crossroads of cultures. Along this drive, you’ll see landmarks that tell that story: historic plazas and cathedrals, grand theaters, art museums, scenic overlooks, and mountain roads that reveal El Paso’s beauty from every angle. So settle in and enjoy the ride. Whether you’re here for the views, the history, or just a taste of that famous desert sunshine, you’re about to experience a city that truly bridges worlds — El Paso, Texas, The Pass of the North, where America and Mexico meet.
