Desert Dream

Enjoy activities from strolling thru the galleries and shops of Old Scottsdale, to an evening picnic on South Mountain, while the glow of the lights in the valley illuminate your dinner.

Bank One Ballpark is one of the best places to watch a major league baseball game.

Golf does not have to wipe out your budget; there are some great courses you can play for under . An example would be Papago Gardens Golf Course.

Encanto Park is a nice place to enjoy a quiet time with a good book and a cooler of Kinsale beer to fight the heat.

Restaurants abound but an evening at Carlos O''Brians Mexican Restaurant will be a wonderful time. The Margaritas are to die for.

If you like to gamble there are a couple of nice casinos that are more than willing to separate you and your money.

Quick Tips:

The Sheraton''s Desert Oasis was wonderful. The pool is awesome with a huge rock waterfall at one end; the path underneath leads to the Jacuzzi. A small, quiet pool is an excellent place for that short afternoon nap we all need. The units are very well appointed although the smaller 1 bedroom unit is quite small. The staff are very attentive and are willing to help with any activity you would like to pursue. The small gift shop allows you to pick up that last little souvenir you forgot to buy before you leave.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car and a map are a definite requirement for your stay. The interstate system is excellent but can be confusing if you do not have a map. The staff are very helpful with directions to any destination you are looking for.

This landmark on the north side of Phoenix is a wonderful place to enjoy Mexican food. The atmosphere is quite lively. The food is excellent, with huge portions. They have a children's menu to help with the little ones. Order something different and share your delights is one's recommendations. The margaritas are to die for, period.

The staff are friendly and the service is very attentive. The bigger the group, the more fun. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night you might experience a short wait, but it isn't intolerable.

A five mile winding road takes you to the top of South Mountain. A small parking area is located here. There are several areas where you can sit and look over the Valley of the Sun. On most days local Indians have handmade jewelry available to purchase at very reasonable prices.

There are no lights in the parking area and at night it is quite spectacular to watch the valley transform in to a carpet of lights. A slight breeze breaks the heat and it can be quite comfortable here. A picnic dinner is an enjoyable, relaxing time and can be a very romantic experience for you. The road has no lights and is quite curvey, so a sense of caution is needed if driving back down after dark.