When you live in San Diego, a place that feels like it has everything, it couldn’t be more true that there’s no place like home. Still, sometimes it’s nice to recharge by getting out of town and taking in a new a view. And when you need that change of scenery, our neighbor to the east, Arizona, is a pretty great option—especially before the temperature really heats up in the summer.
Arizona in springtime is awesome hiking trails and tours with spectacular views—both above and underground. It’s mouthwatering food from award-winning chefs. It’s museums, shopping, bird watching, monument exploring, and the ultimate in nighttime star-gazing. Arizona in springtime, in other words, is the perfect place to book your quick getaway. The only thing you have to decide is where exactly in Arizona to go, which is why we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places.
Flagstaff
Spring is among the best times to visit Flagstaff, a mountain town set in the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest that comes alive with the passing of winter. There’s more to see than the majestic forest. Natural wonders abound, including Grand Canyon National Park, Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano. The city’s walkable downtown is full of boutiques, art galleries, award-winning breweries and James Beard nominee restaurants. Flagstaff also is the world’s first international dark-sky city, which means when the sun goes down, you can find an unmatched view of the sky from the hilltop Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered.
flagstaffarizona.org
City of Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista is one of Arizona’s true hidden gems. It’s home to the southern terminus of the Arizona National Scenic Trail—the 800-mile trek that runs across the state—plus dozens of other trails perfect for hiking, biking, or exploring on horseback. Sierra Vista is also known for top-tier bird watching; the 280-acre Ramsey Canyon Preserve is home to more than 170 varieties of birds. Just north of town, you’ll find Kartchner Caverns State Park, a living cave offering guided tours year-round, while back in Sierra Vista you’ll find family-friendly museums like the Henry F. Hauser Museum, which teaches you about the storied history of the land.
visit.sierravistaaz.gov
Fat Ox (Scottsdale)
There’s a reason Fat Ox is consistently listed as one of the best places to eat in Scottsdale. In fact, there’s several. It’s the homemade pasta dishes (which include a 25-layer lasagna), the hand-pressed cocktails (known, of course, as oxtails), the fine cheeses and delectable meats—Look, it’s literally the entire menu. Chef Matt Carter’s contemporary spins on Italian classics cannot be missed.
6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
ilovefatox.com
