Your Ultimate Guide to a Scottsdale, Arizona Getaway

Scottsdale is more than a desert city—it's a year-round playground for golf enthusiasts, foodies, adventure seekers, and anyone who wants world-class nightlife steps from stunning Sonoran Desert landscapes. Whether you're catching Cactus League spring training, teeing off at a championship course, or exploring the Wild West charm of Cave Creek, here's everything you need to plan an unforgettable Scottsdale trip.

Why Scottsdale?

With over 300 days of sunshine per year and average winter temperatures in the 70s, Scottsdale is the ultimate escape—especially from February through May when the weather is perfect and the event calendar is stacked. Old Town Scottsdale's walkable entertainment district, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve's 30,000+ acres of protected desert, and a dining scene that rivals any major metro make this one of the most versatile vacation destinations in the country.

And unlike many resort towns, Scottsdale is surrounded by distinct neighboring communities—each with its own personality—making it easy to fill a week without repeating a single experience.

Cactus League Spring Training

If you're a baseball fan, there's no better place to be from mid-February through late March. The Cactus League brings 15 MLB teams to the Greater Phoenix area for spring training, and several stadiums are right in Scottsdale's backyard:

• Scottsdale Stadium — Home of the San Francisco Giants. Located in the heart of Old Town, you can walk to dinner and nightlife after the game.
• Salt River Fields at Talking Stick — Shared by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. One of the newest and most impressive spring training facilities in the league, located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
• Sloan Park (Mesa) — The Chicago Cubs' 15,000-seat stadium, just 20 minutes east. The atmosphere rivals Wrigley Field on a perfect 80-degree day.
• Camelback Ranch (Glendale) — Home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, about 35 minutes west.
• Surprise Stadium — Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, about 40 minutes northwest.
• Tempe Diablo Stadium — The Los Angeles Angels' intimate spring home, just 15 minutes south.

Pro tip: Lawn seats are affordable and the vibe is incredibly relaxed. Grab a beer, spread out a blanket, and watch future All-Stars warm up just feet away. Games sell out fast for popular teams—book tickets early.

Golf Tournaments & Championship Courses

Scottsdale is the golf capital of the American West, with over 200 courses in the greater Phoenix metro area. But it's the marquee tournaments that really set this destination apart:

Major Tournaments

• WM Phoenix Open (Late January/Early February) — The "Greatest Show on Grass" at TPC Scottsdale draws over 700,000 fans across tournament week, making it the most-attended event on the PGA Tour. The infamous 16th hole stadium par-3 is unlike anything else in golf. The 2025 event set another attendance record.
• Charles Schwab Cup Championship (November) — The PGA Tour Champions season finale at Phoenix Country Club.
• Annexus Pro-Am — Annual charity event drawing PGA pros and celebrities to Scottsdale courses.
• NCAA Golf Championships — Grayhawk Golf Club in north Scottsdale has hosted the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Golf Championships multiple times, bringing top collegiate talent to the Raptor Course.

Must-Play Courses

• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) — Walk the same fairways as the PGA Tour pros. Public tee times available.
• Troon North (Monument & Pinnacle) — Two stunning desert courses carved through massive boulder formations in north Scottsdale.
• Grayhawk Golf Club (Talon & Raptor) — Premier daily-fee golf with the famous Phil's Grill post-round hangout.
• We-Ko-Pa Golf Club — Two courses (Cholla & Saguaro) on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation land. Consistently ranked among Arizona's best.
• Quintero Golf Club — About 45 minutes northwest in Peoria, but worth every mile. A Rees Jones masterpiece winding through desert canyons.
• Ak-Chin Southern Dunes — A links-style layout south of Phoenix that plays unlike any other course in the Valley.

Outdoor Adventures

Hiking

• Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon & Cholla Trail) — Scottsdale's most iconic hike. Challenging but rewarding with panoramic Valley views. Start early to beat the heat.
• Pinnacle Peak Trail — A moderate 3.5-mile out-and-back in north Scottsdale with gorgeous Sonoran Desert scenery.
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve — Over 225 miles of trails across 30,000+ acres. The Tom's Thumb and Gateway Loop trails are favorites.
• Superstition Mountains — About 45 minutes east. The Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle is one of the most photographed hikes in Arizona, with a direct view of the legendary Weaver's Needle.

Desert Experiences

• Hot air balloon rides — Float over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise with operators like Rainbow Ryders or Hot Air Expeditions. The landscape is unreal from 3,000 feet.
• ATV & Jeep tours — Explore the desert backcountry on guided off-road adventures through the Tonto National Forest.
• Kayaking on the Salt River — Paddle through the Lower Salt River and spot wild horses along the banks. A uniquely Arizona experience.
• Horseback riding — Several ranches in Cave Creek and north Scottsdale offer trail rides through the desert, including sunset and dinner rides.

Surrounding Towns Worth Exploring

Cave Creek & Carefree

Just 20 minutes north of Old Town, Cave Creek is Scottsdale's rugged, cowboy-country counterpart. This is where the desert meets the Old West:

• Harold's Corral — A legendary honky-tonk saloon with live music, mechanical bull riding, and cowboy culture that's been going strong since 1935.
• The Hideaway — Casual patio dining with some of the best burgers in the Valley.
• Frontier Town — A quirky Western-themed shopping village with local artisans, leather goods, and turquoise jewelry.
• Cave Creek Trail Rides — Guided horseback adventures through the Sonoran foothills.
• Boulders Resort (Carefree) — Even if you're not staying here, the spa and dining are worth a visit. The 12-million-year-old boulder formations are stunning.
• Carefree Sundial — The largest sundial in the Western Hemisphere, located in Carefree's charming town center.

Tempe

Just south of Scottsdale, Tempe brings a younger, college-town energy centered around Arizona State University:

• Tempe Town Lake — Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sunset strolls along the 2-mile waterfront.
• Mill Avenue District — Shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Great people-watching.
• Tempe Marketplace — Open-air shopping and dining complex with regular live entertainment.

Mesa

East of Scottsdale, Mesa is the gateway to the Superstition Mountains and home to some of the Valley's best cultural attractions:

• Mesa Arts Center — The largest arts complex in Arizona with world-class performances and galleries.
• Usery Mountain Regional Park — Excellent desert hiking with the Wind Cave Trail offering sweeping views of the Valley.
• Goldfield Ghost Town — A restored 1890s mining town at the base of the Superstitions with mine tours, a zip line, and the Superstition Mountain Museum.
• Fresh Foodie Trail — Mesa's self-guided tour of local farms, orchards, and food artisans.

Fountain Hills

Just east of Scottsdale, this community is known for:

• Fountain Park — Home to one of the world's tallest fountains, shooting water up to 560 feet. It runs on the hour for 15 minutes.
• Great Fair — One of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the country, held each February and November.
• Fort McDowell Adventures — Kayaking, zip-lining, and horseback riding on the Yavapai Nation.

Paradise Valley

Nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix, this exclusive enclave is home to:

• Mountain Shadows Resort — A stunning mid-century modern boutique resort with a par-3 course at the base of Camelback Mountain.
• The Hermosa Inn — Historic hacienda-style boutique hotel with LON's, one of the Valley's most acclaimed restaurants.
• Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain — Award-winning spa and the incredible elements restaurant by Beau MacMillan.

Where to Eat & Drink

Old Town Scottsdale

• Steak 44 — One of the best steakhouses in the country. The lobster bisque and tableside Caesar are legendary. Reservations are essential.
• Citizen Public House — Elevated gastropub with craft cocktails and one of the Valley's best happy hours.
• Diego Pops — Colorful, Instagram-worthy taco joint with creative Mexican-inspired small plates and a killer patio.
• The Mission — Modern Latin cuisine in a stunning converted church setting. The tableside guacamole is a must.
• Hash Kitchen — Brunch destination with a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar featuring 50+ toppings.
• Maple & Ash — Wood-fired steaks and seafood in a chic, upscale atmosphere. Ask for the "I Don't Give a F*@k" menu and let the chef decide.

North Scottsdale

• Mastro's City Hall — The original Mastro's location. The butter cake dessert alone is worth the trip.
• Café Monarch — Intimate fine dining consistently ranked among the top restaurants in Arizona.
• Toca Madera — Mexican-Asian fusion with a vibrant nightlife atmosphere. Try the truffle quesadilla.
• Pomo Pizzeria — Authentic Neapolitan pizza certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.

Nightlife

• Scottsdale Entertainment District — The walkable strip along Saddlebag Trail and Camelback Road features clubs, lounges, and rooftop bars. Major spots include Bottled Blonde, Casa Amigos, and The Beverly.
• Coach House — A neighborhood dive bar that's been a Scottsdale institution since 1959.
• Second Story Liquor Bar — Craft cocktails and a moody, speakeasy-inspired atmosphere above The Herb Box.
• Kazimierz World Wine Bar — Underground wine bar with live jazz. A hidden gem.

Events & Festivals Calendar

• January/February: WM Phoenix Open, Cactus League opens, Barrett-Jackson Car Auction, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
• March: Cactus League peak, Scottsdale Arts Festival, Parada del Sol Rodeo & Parade
• April: Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, spring concert series across the Valley
• October–December: Fall golf season, Scottsdale Jazz Festival, Canal Convergence public art festival in Old Town

When to Visit

The sweet spot is February through April—perfect weather (70s–80s), spring training, golf tournaments, and the Valley at its most vibrant. October through November is another ideal window with warm days, cool evenings, and fewer crowds.

Summer (June–September) brings triple-digit heat but also dramatically lower prices. If you embrace the pool-and-AC lifestyle, summer can be a surprisingly fun and affordable time to visit. Our properties feature private pools and resort-style outdoor living designed for exactly this.