Enjoying the Desert Around Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona is a wonderful family getaway from the east coast or midwest during the late fall, late winter, and early spring each year.  The beauty of the desert landscape, particularly in the northern regions of Scottsdale, is unrivaled in the United States.  My family enjoyed a five-night respite at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Troon North. Its location in the beauty of North Scottsdale and convenience to the world class Troon North golf course makes this a prime luxury location for golfers as well.

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We have been to Scottsdale several times in the past, and the upscale La Hacienda Mexican restaurant at the Fairmont Princess resort nearby is a wonderful choice for outdoor dining.  The food and margaritas are excellent, and there is ample room to relax around an outdoor fire pit fueled by pungent mesquite aromas.  

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We also enjoyed our casita accommodations at the four seasons, each of which had a small porch to the rear with unmolested views of the desert landscape.  The pool and spa areas here are typical of Four Seasons luxury one comes to expect.

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A recommended “off property” excursion we took in was the U-Drive Sonora Desert off-road experience courtesy of Desert Dog outfitters.  This is about a 45-minute drive from the hotel through some beautiful high desert landscape where the excursion itself begins.  Desert Dog provides brand new and fully-outfitted four door Jeep Wranglers for you to drive with a guide over a three-hour, more or less, trip through the desert.  The driving at times is very technical, over loose rock and up and down steep grades.  The guides are friendly and knowledgeable.

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Scottsdale is reliably warm in October, November, and late March and April.  These are ideal times for snowbirds to get away for a unique experience.