For the educated but progressive, Scottsdale, Arizona offers a unique variety of experiences and destinations. Incorporated in 1951, this relatively new city is influenced by the vast Sonoran desert that surrounds it. Desert vistas offer breathtaking beauty and ruggedness that, in turn, have innovated city adventures ranging from hiking to equestrian pursuits and desert architecture to national sporting events.
One of the many places to hike both mountain and desert trails is Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale. Hikers to this area of granite boulders can see Camelback Mountain to the southwest and glimpse the Four Peaks range 25 miles to the east. Meanwhile, enjoy the giant saguaro cactus, abundant banana yucca, and army-green paloverde trees. Hikers share trails with rabbits, coyotes, snakes, lizards, and at times must make room for the bobcats and beloved mules.
While horseback riding is permitted on many of the desert trails, for equestrian-type competition and entertainment, the city of Scottsdale hosts Westworld. Westworld has a 6,000-capacity multipurpose tent, a 119-acre polo field, and a 600-capacity horse arena.
Events held at Westworld include the annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in mid-February, where 2,000 of these majestic horses compete and display their precision. The miniature horse show takes place at the end of March, beginning of April here. Precious and delicate miniature versions of these magnificent animals show off their skills.
The annual Parada del Sol rodeo also calls Westworld home. Coinciding with the Parada del Sol Parade, concerts, and block party in Old Town Scottsdale, this rodeo has been a Scottsdale tradition since the 1950s. The entire Parada del Sol celebration takes place in early March. .
The more cosmopolitan Barrett-Jackson Collector Car auction takes place at Westworld from mid to late January. A multitude of sophisticated affairs accompany this “premier” auto auction, including parties, listing events and exclusive fashion shows. Making Scottsdale a true town where rustic meets refined.
In the 1920s, veteran architect Frank Lloyd Wright bought 600 acres of Sonoran desert at the foot of the McDowell Mountains. Taliesin West, Wright’s summer residence and work community, was born. It is still populated by architects trained at the Frank Lloyd Wright school and his protégés. Taliesin West’s architecture seems to blend into the desert landscape and become part of its surroundings, now located within the Scottsdale city limits.
Another architect and artist has called Scottsdale home, Paolo Soleri. The community that he inspired at Cosanti exhibits experimental architecture using monolithic concrete structures. Soleri and the larger Cosanti and Archosanti community, located west of Prescott, Arizona, are famous for the copper bells they make. The bells can be bought at the Cosanti or can be seen in the local decoration.
To quench a totally different passion that can only be sparked by a sports enthusiast, Scottsdale is home to Spring Training for baseball and the Phoenix Open for golf. Spring training for the San Francisco Giants takes place at Scottsdale Stadium, located in downtown Scottsdale. Cactus League spring training exhibition games are frequent at this location during the season.
Historically known for the Phoenix Open, this annual national golf tournament is held at the TPC Course in Scottsdale in late January. It draws a lot of media attention as it establishes itself as a more relaxed tournament on the golf scene.
The city of Scottsdale is, unwittingly, the arbiter for a host of activities unique to this desert paradise. The colour, sights and sounds of the desert work together to create an environment where the natural environment merges with human needs and desires.