Visiting Phoenix for the 1st time

[Rhaethe]

Originally Posted by lizardizoo

Don Ruben's at 43rd and cactus! Best hole in the wall mexican join around LOL!

There is a street name of Cactus??!

I want to see this road and take a picture of the street sign when I am there in PH in the next couple days.

Google-mapping now to work it into my schedule.

Ok, I am weird.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by Rhaethe

There is a street name of Cactus??!

I want to see this road and take a picture of the street sign when I am there in PH in the next couple days.

Google-mapping now to work it into my schedule.

Ok, I am weird.

And there's:

Sesame Street in Tempe.

Lobster Trap Lane in Tempe.

Why Worry Lane in Phoenix.

Bloody Basin Rd off I-17.

City names of "Why", "Snowflake(founded by Mr. Snow and Mr. Flake of course)", "Chloride", "Strawberry", "Ajo", etc

But what can beat zzyzx road in California?

[Rhaethe]

Oooooo .... Now I have another to-see .... taking a picture of Why Worry

[jf2737]

Don't forget the aptly named Nothing, AZ. Was there in June. What a bunch of nothing.

[TKO]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

Sure. No good food but you'll eat at a chain?

I didn't say it was no good, just not as good as ours and I eat ours all the time. La Parilla is a treat because I don't have one where I live and small chain or not it is good. It's not like it's Chile's or something.

When there I'm more inclined to eat to eat Italian or one of the numerous other ethnic foods to be found in a large city that I don't get at home to be honest.

[ElleTea]

I have to agree that Macayo's food is just so-so but they do have an awesome green chile enchilada that is SO good. Caramba has the best (translation, strongest) margaritas but the food is crap. I would recommend El Encanto in Carefree. Good food and a beautiful setting, especially on the patio. The drive up there is also very scenic and the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree and both charming.

Also, only consider hiking Camelback if you are experienced at hiking, or in pretty good physical shape. Even the "easy" side is fairly difficult, or so I am told. (I stick to more moderate trails because of a bad knee) You can hike this time of year, but go early in the morning, not the heat of the afternoon, and take LOTS of water.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by cordtwo

I already know for sure that I am going to South Mountain for the view.

In all honesty, skip South Mountain. Camelback or Piestewa offer just as good views, and are better to climb. If you want to get more "away from it all", hike Toms Thumb up in NE Scottsdale. Its definitely more secluded than Camelback, etc, and the views are still awesome. As other posters have said, be sure to bring LOTS of water. Im talking a 96OZ Camelbak and some spares, just in case. Be sure to watch for rattlesnakes, too. In other words, dont be careless, reaching under or around rocks, etc, without looking first. Ive run into a few diamondback and tiger rattlesnakes up there, just give em a wide berth and go around em. Have fun in Phoenix!

[locolobo13]

I prefer S. Mtn to Camelback or Piestewa. The main reason is I feel like an ant climbing an ant hill on Camelback or Piestewa. You can find some good hikes and views on S. Mtn without so much crowding. But another recommendation depending on available time would be the McDowells. Or drive north and hike Pine Mountain.

[jf2737]

My brother and I hiked in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in late June. Pretty awesome. And hot!

I believe it was the Brown's Ranch Trailhead.


Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve

[Steve-o]

Pinnacle Peak is another good option for hiking. Its arguably the easiest "mountain" to climb in the Valley, with well-groomed trails that arent too steep. My only beef with Pinnacle Peak is the trail isnt a loop, which means you have to double-back the entire trail to get back to the parking lot. Lame.