scottsdale.

I used to think of Scottsdale as a quiet, retirement community that likes to golf. Boy was I wrong! Scottsdale continues to be one of my favorite weekend trips (just a 6 hour drive from Huntington Beach). Scottsdale is full of relaxation and adventure. From world class spas and dining, to clubs and bars, poolside hangs and stunning hikes, Scottsdale has it all.

Compared to Orange County, Scottsdale is a cheaper place to visit. Additionally, the city is no where near as crowded as Southern California and the city is so clean. We couldn’t believe how well the city was maintained. If you are looking for a warm getaway and can replace the beach with a pool, Scottsdale is the spot.

A perfect day in Scottsdale would include an early morning hike, brunch on a patio, and a relaxing afternoon poolside. Your evening could include playing a few rounds at Top Golf and ending the night in Old Scottsdale. This area of town is full of fashion, bars, and clubs. Before visiting Scottsdale, I didn’t realize how many clubs Scottsdale had. Old Scottsdale reminds me of a mini Las Vegas without the gambling. You can find any type of club you would like and they are all within walking distance of each other. During the day, the clubs host endless mimosa brunches and even some, such as The W, have pool parties.

What’s fun about Scottsdale, is that even if you don’t want to go clubbing at night, there are plenty of dining options that you can spend hours at, just lounging after your meal. Of all the places I have visited, Scottsdale has the most patios and indoor/outdoor restaurants.

If you are staying at a hotel or Airbnb that has a pool, spend one of your evenings in and lay in the pool and look up at the stars. Scottsdale has the most beautiful sunsets and sparkly skies.

If you are lucky enough to spend several days in the Scottsdale area, a perfect day trip is Sedona, only a 90 minute drive north. Even if you just spend a few hours in Sedona, the drive is so worth it! If you are visiting Scottsdale during the winter, Flagstaff is only 2 hours away and has great skiing!

Another great day trip is to Lake Saguaro, only 45 minutes away from downtown Scottsdale. We had so much fun jetskiing around this lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains and the water is so warm (I’m usually cold when jetskiing so this was perfect). While on the jetskis, we saw a bald eagle and a few mountain goats. Such a neat experience. Even if you don’t have access to a boat or jetski, there are public beaches at Saguaro. I highly recommend visiting.

Where We Stayed:

We are lucky enough to have some close friends who live in Scottsdale that allow us (Charlie, too!) to stay with them every time we visit. They live near Scottsdale Mountain. We have attended events at the following hotels and both hotels are gorgeous. If I didn’t have a friend to stay with, I would stay at one of these two hotels:

JW Marriott Scottsdale Resort and Spa had an amazing Sunday brunch on their outdoor patio. There was even live music! This resort has a desert feel and is absolutely stunning. Their pool is huge and they even have a poolside bar. I’ve never had a better pina colada!

At the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, we loved their outdoor patio. The patio had a massive tv to watch games, and they had a bar and restaurant on the patio. The Westin had at least half a dozen restaurants and bars on property. Additionally, this hotel is within walking distance to several offsite shops and dining options.

Where We Ate:

Sumo Maya near Old Scottsdale is an Asian-Mexican fusion. The sushi is mouth watering and the fresh ceviche is incredible. The restaurant is beautiful and it has a patio.

Growing up near Chicago, I’ve had my fair share of pizza. But Pitch, you are some of the best I’ve had. Last time I was in Scottsdale, we ate here twice in one weekend! The restaurant is an open air concept and has a huge patio with an outdoor/indoor bar. The restaurant is really one of my favorites aesthetically and the vibe allows you to sit and hang out long after your food is gone. I recommend their Arugula Salad and Meatball pizza. They also have a long list of wines.

The Vig is our other favorite spot to hang out in Scottsdale. They have two locations but the one at McDowell Mountain is our favorite. The Vig is another indoor/outdoor restaurant with a huge outdoor patio. I recommend the Mushroom Tacos and homemade Guacamole. Their Mango Tango cocktail is my favorite!

Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers is a fun sports bar, again, with an amazing patio! They have a great happy hour. CM2 is in North Scottsdale and is a family run pizza spot. I like this restaurant because of the hip-industrial vibes, authentic Sicilian cuisine, and the small business feel.

Now onto brunch! If you want a fun brunch with the biggest Bloody Mary bar you’ve ever seen , go to Hash Kitchen. This restaurant feels like a party at brunch! The breakfast cocktail list is bigger than the food menu and there is even a DJ! Be careful, I ordered a full meal before realizing how big the Bloody Mary bar was...SO good! The Henry is a great brunch spot if you want classy and Instagrammable, it’s definitely the place to be seen! The bagel with lox is delicious and their lattes are amazing.

Over Easy is a casual breakfast spot that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. They too, have a large patio. Finally, our go to breakfast place while in Scottsdale is First Watch. This restaurant has a modern farmhouse feel with a cute breakfast bar and amazing cocktails. We like sitting at the bar while enjoying the fresh farm to table breakfast.

Breweries:

We haven’t spent a lot of time at breweries in Scottsdale, but we have been to the Scottsdale Beer Company. I would recommend stopping here before heading to dinner. They have a great patio!

Where We Hiked:

The most famous hike in Scottsdale is Camelback Mountain. I have not done this hike as I have heard it gets extremely busy. One time, Logan and I got up early on a Sunday morning and the small trail parking lot was full. We drove around and couldn’t find parking anywhere near the trail. We literally saw tour buses dropping off hikers. I am sure Camelback is beautiful, but I also think it has become popular through social media and I don’t think it’s worth hiking unless you get there before the sunrises!

Sunrise Trail is a beautiful trail in North-East Scottsdale. The trail is almost 5 miles round trip. I love this trail because of how many cacti you can get close too. There are so many cacti on the trail, it truly is amazing. When you get to the top of the mountain, you can see the fountain in Fountain Hills, downtown Phoenix, and even the Cardinals Stadium. As always, I recommend going early.

Best Time To Visit:

Fall
Winter

joshua tree national park.

british columbia.