There’s really nothing quite like Spring Training in Arizona. In many other parts of the country, snow still sits on the ground, while Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale invite you with sunshine, baseball -America’s favorite pastime-, cold beer, happy people (regardless of who is winning the game), hot dogs, peanuts, family…you get the point. Spring Training is the time and place where people from all over the country get together and genuinely appreciate all the wonderful things being to be experienced all in one place.

Spring Training Locations

View Arizona Spring Training Map – Greater Phoenix Spring Training Sites in a larger map

• Glendale Stadium
• Goodyear Ballpark
• Hohokam Stadium
• Maryvale Baseball Park
• Peoria Sports Complex
• Phoenix Municipal Stadium
• Scottsdale Stadium
• Surprise Stadium
• Tempe Diablo Stadium
• Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Hotel Theodore 7353 East Indian School Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 The Hotel Theodore is your getaway to the extraordinary. This sophisticated Scottsdale oasis offers a spectrum of amenities sure to astound even the most seasoned traveler. More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

3 Palms Hotel 7707 East McDowell Road Scottsdale, AZ 85257 When you enter our stunning yet intimate lobby, the desert stone accents set in the hand laid white crystal granite warn you to expect something special including a level of service that some people… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

W Scottsdale 7277 East Camelback Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Sizzling hot and sparkling cool, W Scottsdale is infused with natural water elements flowing with meditative energy surrounded by exhilarating arts, sophisticated shopping, destination golf and a… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Hilton Scottsdale Resort Villas 6333 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85250-5428 Located in Scottsdale Arizona the Hilton Scottsdale Resort – Villas hotel offers impeccable accommodations in a beautiful resort-style setting. A warm welcome and exceptional luxury awaits whether… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Hotel Indigo SCOTTSDALE 4415 North Civic Center Plaza Scottsdale, AZ 85251 New Boutique Hotel in Downtown Scottsdale, Arizona Boasts Affordable Luxury Hotel Indigo Scottsdale is a new boutique hotel located in trendy Old Town Scottsdale, within walking distance of the… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel · Packages Available!

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites SCOTTSDALE 3131 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 You are invited to Stay Smart and enjoy resort style amenities beyond your expectations at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Scottsdale. Whether you are coming in on business or just to get… More Info · Details on this Spring Training Hotel · Packages Available!

The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician 6000 East Camelback Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Valley of the Sun. Located in Scottsdale surrounded by the stunning Sonoran Desert is one of America’s most luxurious resorts. Recipient of the AAA 5 Diamond Award, Phoenician Residences, Luxury… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town 7324 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85251 Free Internet (Wired, Wireless and Public Wi-Fi) Come and experience deluxe accommodations a relaxed atmosphere and true Southwestern hospitality at the Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town hotel in Arizona. Located in the heart of Old Town our… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Dear Arizona Travel:
I am staying in Scottsdale in April. I want to go to Sedona, see Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, and some place that has black volcanic rock and petrified trees. I have 2 days, and want to spend 1 night and then return to Scottsdale. What’s a good plan?
Sheila O.

Hi, Sheila! First of all…. oooookaaaaaay. There’s no way you can do all of this in two days, but you can do most of it. Which is more important to you, the Grand Canyon or the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert? They’re opposite directions from Flagstaff, and equidistant at about ~170 miles each way. Either way, you’ll definitely be spending a lot of time in your car (about 12-15 hours of driving total). Be prepared to log ~600 miles and about 12 hours of driving and sightseeing one day, 8 hours the other. Be sure to fill up your car in Sedona or Flagstaff (both pricey areas for gas)… the National Park areas you’ll be visiting are REMOTE.

Here’s a sample itinerary for Option 1 – Sedona / Petrified Forest / Painted Desert / Sunset Volcano and links to a maps and helpful National Park Service websites.

Day 1 early morning: Drive to Sedona (90 – 120 minutes, 125 miles.)
Day 1 morning: Stop in Sedona for a bit, walk around Uptown Sedona.
Day 1 morning: Continue up AZ-89 up Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff. (40 minutes from Sedona to Flagstaff)
Day 1 mid-day: Drive east of Flagstaff on I-40 toward Painted Desert / Petrified Forest National Park (3 hours, 168 miles)
Day 1 evening/night: return to Flagstaff for an overnight. The Park closes at 5pm in winter…. not sure if they’ll be on Spring/Summer hours yet or not. See Flagstaff.com for Flagstaff hotel options. (Return 3 hours, 168 miles)
Day 2 early morning: Head north of Flagstaff on AZ-89 toward Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – this is where you’ll have volcanic rock. (2 hours, 115 miles)
Day 2 midday: Return to Flagstaff for lunch (2 hours, 115 miles.)
Day 2 evening: Return to Scottsdale (2 hours, 140 miles.)

Here are links to some terrific information:
Petrified Forest
Sunset Crater
Painted Desert
Google Map for this custom itinerary

Day 1 early morning: Drive to Sedona (90 – 120 minutes, 125 miles.)
Day 1 morning: Stop in Sedona for a bit, walk around Uptown Sedona.
Day 1 morning: Continue up AZ-89 up Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff. (40 minutes from Sedona to Flagstaff)
Day 1 mid-day: Drive north of Flagstaff on AZ 89 toward Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – this is where you’ll have volcanic rock. (2 hours, 115 miles)
Day 1 evening/night: return to Flagstaff for an overnight. (return 2 hours, 115 miles)
Day 2 early morning: Head northwest of Flagstaff on Us 180 toward Grand Canyon National Park (100 minutes, 80 miles)
Day 2 late afternoon: Return to Flagstaff (100 minutes, 80 miles)
Day 2 evening: Return to Scottsdale (2 hours, 140 miles)

Here are some resources and links:
Grand Canyon
Google Map for this custom itinerary

Good luck! Let us know which itinerary you choose and feel free to send us pictures of you climbing on volcanic rocks!

– ChristinaToo

Dear Arizona Travel:
I am planning a trip to Sedona in November 2010. I am traveling alone and do not plan to rent a car. I am trying to find a map that shows the locations of the shopping areas relative to hotels, spas. Where do I find this?
–Linda H.

Hi, Linda.

Your best bet is to secure a hotel in Uptown Sedona on in/near Tlaquepaque. I created a Google Map for you, showing where the most popular hotels (red beds) are in relation to spas (blue massage) and shopping (yellow $ signs).

I would suggest changing your plans and getting a rental car; Sedona, while a relatively small city, is spread out over about 18 square miles, and traveling on foot to some of the best parts of the area is highly impractical, if not impossible (i.e. Oak Creek Canyon, Boynton Canyon, nearby wineries in Page Springs, etc.) There are few taxicabs and the cost of cabs and an airport shuttle would likely equal or exceed the cost of a rental car. If you’re dead set on not getting a car, stay in Uptown at any of the hotels I marked on the map, or at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa or El Portal, both of which share the grounds with Tlaquepaque (shopping village.)

View Sedona Hotels, Shopping & Spas Map in a larger map

Here are some links to helpful resources:
Sedona Trolley
Tlaquepaque
El Portal
Los Abrigados Resort & Spa
Sedona Main Street
Hillside Sedona

As an addendum to my last post – What This Scottsdale Gal is Doing for the Fourth of July – I wanted to add a couple details I found were missing from the parade’s official site, arcadiaparade.com. I emailed the parade chairperson, Johanna Boslin, and received a very kind response from her. Here, find details on parking, the exact parade route, the potluck breakfast and where Johanna recommends we sit for optimal parade viewing.

Parade Route: The parade route starts and ends at Jokake and Calle Tuberia. It heads west on Calle Tuberia to 58th Street, then south on 58th street (short block) to Calle Del Paisano, east on Calle Del Paisano, short jog to Calle Rosa, continue east to 62nd street, go north to Calle Tuberia (short blocks) then west on Calle Tuberia back to the parade start. It is about a mile for the route.

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&s=AARTsJrB4mGJ2pd4CbZPIoExlmkRc7sN6w&msa=0&msid=109545487776056287914.000451216ef042c410601&ll=33.492251,-111.950855&spn=0.006263,0.00912&z=16&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Parking: Most of the neighbors know we have a parade that day, and park their cars in the driveways and carport and garages off the street. And most parade participants walk or ride their bikes to the start, so there is not a lot of cars and parking except for the volunteers and sponsors. You should have no problem parking on the streets close by, but we would appreciate no parking on the parade route.

Where to Sit: You will have the best luck for shade on Calle Tuberia, and go to the parade end. The conjestion at Jokake and Calle Tuberia is unbelievable. As a parade watcher, you can probably bring your lawn chairs and sit right on the street.

Potluck Breakfast and Aprés Parade: Please join us after the parade for the potluck breakfast. Safeway provides water and ice, and Bandera’s brings warm cornbread, cookies and ice cold lemonaide, Einstein Bagels gives us bagels, and a lot of neighbors bring homemade everything… Please join us for that and the fire dept. hooking up the hose and cooling everyone off.