Summer springs eternal in the Valley of the Sun, offering almost 300 days of sunshine each year, and as such, it should be of no surprise that many of your favorite boys of summer spend their Spring Training days right here in the heart of Arizona. The Cactus League (as opposed to the Grapefruit League of Florida) is comprised of 15 Major League baseball teams playing from 10 stadiums located all over the Valley, and when you choose to visit during the months of February and March, you too can be a part of the excitement. Offering the crack of the bat on a spring day, the smell of hot dogs and beer, and a more intimate game experience than in regular season, the only thing better than spending a day on the fields with your favorite team is doing that and then coming home each evening to the comfort and luxuries found in our I Love Scottsdale Spring Training sanctuaries.

These Teams Call Us Home

During the regular season, a vacation in Scottsdale may mean that you have the opportunity to watch the Diamondbacks play against one or two other teams, but in the spring, 15 teams are playing every day, and while the Diamondbacks are playing here as well, the odds of watching your favorite are much, much higher. Below, we have created a list of each of the teams in alphabetical order and the stadium in which they play.

A Is for Arizona Diamondbacks

Although their home stadium in regular season is Chase Field, the Diamondbacks will be based out of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, located at 7555 N. Pima Road in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

C Is for Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are probably the second most beloved team playing in the Valley (Of course, we love our hometown heroes more!) at Mesa’s Sloan Park, located at 2330 W Rio Salado Parkway. Their stadium was specially built for them, presenting a miniature version of their beloved Wrigley Field stadium.

C Is also for Chicago White Sox

Chicagoans adore the beautiful spring weather in the Valley of the Sun apparently; the Chicago White Sox are also based here, playing from Camelback Ranch-Glendale, located at the Loop 101 & Camelback Road.

C Could Be for Cincinnati Reds

Apparently, the Cactus League loves the letter C, and this 4th team, the Cincinnati Reds, is another popular favorite. Playing from Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S Ballpark Way, just off Yuma Road and Estrella Parkway, their fans are especially to their team and may often be spotted with flags waving from their rental cars.

C Is for the Cleveland Guardians

Formerly the Cleveland Indians and sharing the Goodyear Ballpark with their fellow Ohioans, you know that spring is definitely a happy time for Ohio transplants to the Valley.

A Palate Cleanser

No, the Spring Training alphabet does not end at C; we have 10 more letters to go, but we thought we would take a minute or two to cleanse the palate between courses, perhaps discussing some of the things you can do when not at the baseball field. Our Scottsdale guests may want to explore the nightlife of our western town, checking out the clubs that line the streets after the day’s festivities have come to an end.

Wine Girl, 4205 N Scottsdale Road, offers an outdoor patio during that we can promise will be packed during the beautiful days of spring; we Arizonans know the heat is coming, and in these waning days before the season starts, we want to be outside as much as possible. Of course, wine isn’t always the most popular drink for baseball fans, so head to Goldwater Brewery, located at 3608 N Scottsdale Road. Offering an everchanging selection of beers brewed right on the premises, they don’t serve food at the brewery, but they do allow you to bring in your takeout meals, and as they are located in the heart of Old Town, there will be plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Hitting Them Out of the Park

Our next group of players are mostly from the southwestern states, but there are a couple of eastern states to keep you entertained during your unforgettable Spring Training getaway in the Valley of the Sun!

C Is for Colorado Rockies

The cornucopia of Cs ends with our neighbors to the north, the Colorado Rockies. And because we believe in being good neighbors, the Rockies share Salt River Fields at Talking Stick with our hometown boys.

K Is for Kansas City Royals

Returning to our regularly scheduled program, this next team is sure to garner a lot of interest thanks to their hometown mates in football winning back-to-back Super Bowls. The Kansas City Royals play at the Surprise Stadium, located at 15850 N Bullard Avenue in the bedroom community of Surprise, Arizona.

L Is for Los Angeles Angels

Our western border neighbors from California are known to appreciate the hometown charms of Tempe Diablo Stadium, their Spring Training home away from home. Located at 2200 W Alameda Drive in Tempe, the stadium has stood in the shadow of A mountain since 1969 and is an integral part of the baseball experience.

L Is for Los Angeles Dodgers

Sharing stadium space with the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit their homeruns at the Camelback Ranch-Glendale stadium, located at 10710 W Camelback Road in Phoenix.

M Is for Milwaukee Brewers

Why is it after all these years we can’t see the name Milwaukee without starting to sing the opening lines to Laverne & Shirley? American Family Fields of Phoenix, located at 3805 N 53rd Avenue in Phoenix is where they play, and for their sake, we hope there is no schlimazels (very unlucky person in Yiddish) in the bunch!

Breakfast Is Served

The Spring Training games starting times tend to be at 11:05 AM or 1:10 PM, so go ahead and sleep in a little later than you normally would, enjoying the soft beds in our I Love Scottsdale retreats, and then head out for a hearty breakfast at any of these Scottsdale restaurants.

Daily Dose Old Town Bar & Grill, 4020 N Scottsdale Road

Open for breakfast every morning at 7 AM sharp, Daily Dose actually has two locations, so if you are heading to Tempe Diablo Stadium to watch the Los Angeles Angels play, you may want to visit their Tempe location, 96 South Rockford Drive #105. Offering a menu filled with classic breakfasts interspersed with some innovative new meals (their peanut butter & jelly waffle isn’t just for kids!) a Bloody Mary or mimosa offers a great way to start out the day’s adventures!

Breakfast Club, 4400 N Scottsdale Road

The Breakfast Club offers three locations, the one in Scottsdale that may be closer to your I Love Scottsdale sanctuary and two in Phoenix (2 East Jefferson in downtown and 2502 E Camelback in the Biltmore area). Treating breakfast as a fine dining experience while providing a comfortable and cheerful ambience, they use farm-to-table ingredients that enhance the taste of your favorite breakfast dish. We adore their steak bene and think all the carnivores amongst our guests will too!

Soul Café, 7615 E Pinnacle Peak Road #1

Closed on Mondays, the Soul Café concentrates on serving good food for good people. Their menu offers a culinary tour through the southwest, featuring delicious goodies such as their version of chicken fried steak and eggs, the Crazy Cowboy that add green pork chili to the plate and the classic Chilaquiles that will make your taste buds sing. Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM at the Soul Café.

Back to the Ball Fields

We won’t discuss any lunch restaurants today. You will probably eat and drink your fill at the stadiums you visit each day, and we can assure you that the food served will be delicious and the drinks will be cold and refreshing. Even though summer has not taken hold here in the desert as of yet, the afternoons will be warm and the sun will most likely be shining brightly every day, so don’t forget to hydrate. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and baseball caps may come in handy as well, and who knows? The more intimate surroundings of spring training games may make it easier to have your favorite player sign your ball cap!

O Is for Oakland A’s

If nothing else, our very disjointed alphabet of baseball shows us that Californians love our desert in the spring and the Oakland A’s are our next example. They will hit the fields of Hohokam Stadium in the months of February and March, located at 1235 N Center Street in Mesa.

S Is for San Diego Padres

This last batch of not so rowdy “Spring Breakers” are spring transplants from California as well, the San Diego Padres. Playing from the stylish confines of the Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N 83rd Avenue, they always put on a good show in the desert, perhaps enjoying the more arid climate.

S Is for San Francisco Giants

This baseball alphabet is definitely a little wonky, but the talents shown by players on the San Francisco Giants will make you forgive any discrepancies. We at I Love Scottsdale tend to spend a lot of our time watching the Giants in the spring, because their home stadium is one dear to our hearts, the Scottsdale Stadium. Located at 7408 E Osborn Road, the games are close enough that snarled traffic really isn’t a consideration.

S Is for Seattle Mariners

Sharing space with the San Diego Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex we are guessing that this team especially loves the dryer climate as well as appreciating the sunny days that are all too rare in their hometown.

T Is for Texas Rangers

The alphabet ends at T during Spring Training, and our final Cactus League team shares a home with the Kansas City Royals, calling Surprise Stadium their home base.

A Tour of the Valley

Another thing you can add to the long list of things we love about Spring Training is the way the stadiums are spread out all over the Valley, giving visitors a tour of the town while letting them watch their favorite teams play. Each town offers something different for visitors to explore, so although we have finished our alphabet of teams, there is still more to do during your stay in the Phoenix area, as shown below.

Casino Arizona, 524 N 92nd Street in Scottsdale

Gambling is legal on the reservation and Casino Arizona may offer a way to recoup some of your vacation expenses! Located just minutes away from Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, we don’t have to tell you what kind of fun you can have while gambling, we just need to tell you it’s there.

Arizona Broadway Theater, 7701 W Paradise Lane in Peoria

After the games at the Peoria Sports Complex, you may want to check out the performances at Arizona Broadway Theater. Offering Broadway style musicals, a restaurant, and an expansive drink menu, your night on the town will have you singing all the way home.

Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Parkway

The sun will be shining, the animals will be lively, and although it may interfere with a game or two, a visit to the Phoenix Zoo will be a memorable one.

Sloan Park, 2330 Rio Salado Parkway in Mesa

There are plenty of fun things to do in Mesa, including antiquing, dining, and exploring local museums, but honestly? Sloan Park is an adventure you won’t want to skip!

Just the Beginning

The lists above are just a small part of the fun you can have during your Spring Training adventures in the Valley of the Sun, but don’t forget about the comfortable adventures you can enjoy in our I Love Scottsdale vacation sanctuaries! Luxurious, comfortable, and often featuring crystal clear pools in the backyards, coming home to us will be a highlight of your vacation. Reserve your favorite today!

Looking for things to do while you stay in one of our luxurious homes? Well, there are TONS of activities, events, and celebrations in Scottsdale during the spring season. Trust us, you and your guest will never run out of events in Scottsdale while you stay in our vibrant community this spring.

Phoenix Scottish Games

Feel like you have just stepped into Edinburgh or Aberdeen with the Phoenix Scottish Games on March 3rd to 5th! You can feel like you are in the Highlands of Scotland, frolicking through the tall weeds and the rolling hills as you watch the athletes take on huge feats, like throwing logs and races. Plus, you can absorb some of the best Scottish cultures, like listening to live Celtic music from local bands, watching talented Highland dancers tap along to trad music, taking your kids to participate in the children’s activities, and visiting the genealogy area to see if you are a Scot at heart and in your blood!

Indian Fair and Market

Another cool cultural event that can teach you about another big ethnic group is the Indian Fair and Market on the same weekend, between March 4th and 5th. We recommend heading to Central Avenue during these bustling and fun-filled two days to admire the local artists’ sculptures and paintings, intricate beadwork and baskets, and pueblo carvings that feature traditional Native American designs.

Melrose Street Fair

The same weekend on March 4th, you can continue your weekend full of fun and activities by heading to Melrose District to wander down Melrose Avenue and check out the live music, farmers market with fresh produce, and yummy food trucks featuring lunch, drinks, and snacks from local restaurants and vendors.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Luck of the Irish, eh? We think so too! If you want to feel like you have crossed over the water to the Emerald Isle and landed in Dublin or Galway for the day, then check out the St. Patrick’s Day festivities on Central Avenue on March 11th. Head to the Faire and parade to watch the traditional Irish dancers, sample dishes like stew and steamed cabbage, and have a few pints of Guinness! Make sure they pour it right, though — look for the ‘foamy head’ on every point you have!

Scottsdale Arts Festival

Another fun event to check out this upcoming spring season is the Scottsdale Arts Festival between March 10th and 12th at the Scottsdale Civic Center Park. Head here to check out almost 200 artists from all over the United States and Canada. You can also tune in to the live music to really get the party going and experience good vibes with your guests and those in the local community.

The Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival

Are you a fan of big pores and strong beers? If so, head to the Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival in Tumbleweed Park to taste some of the best IPAs, strong porter, hearty stouts, and jerky or barbecue to help line your stomach! Trust us, after the complimentary VIP access and 4-5 free drinks, you are going to need something BIG to keep you on your feet all day long!

Arizona Bike Week This Spring in Scottsdale

Riding motorcycles is a huge part of the culture in Arizona, and Scottsdale in particular. We recommend heading to the Arizona Bike Week between March 29th and April 2nd to check out the intricate motorbikes, talk to local motorcycle groups, listen to live music from local Scottsdale bands, have a few drinks at the Handlebar Saloon, and grab some food from the local vendors.

Tempe Festival of the Arts

As you can tell, Arizona is no stranger to arts and culture. There are endless art exhibitions, galleries, live music, and demonstrations. One of our favorite events that incorporate local artists and world-renowned artists is the Tempe Festival of the Arts, held at Mill Avenue District in March and April. We love coming here and checking out the original artwork, sipping on a few glasses of red wine from the nearby wineries and food vendors, and listening to the live entertainment.

Phoenix Film Festival

Last but not least, the Phoenix Film Festival, held between March 23rd and April 2nd at Harkins Scottsdale 101, is one of the top events of the entire year! This non-profit event is great for artists, filmmakers, and everyone in between! Ranked as one of the ‘25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World’, the Phoenix Film Festival features films and short screenplays that are groundbreaking in the industry.

Enjoy our Accommodations and Spring Events in Scottsdale

Sounds like the best vacation, doesn’t it? We think so too! Plus, you can stay at one of our modern, luxurious, and spacious properties from I Love Scottsdale to enhance your stay. After a long day of attending events and exploring the nearby Scottsdale area, you can head back home and kick back, relax, and get a great night of sleep.

Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of the best towns to go to all year round. It doesn’t matter if you want to come here in the summer to enjoy the beautiful hiking, in the winter to go down the ski and snowboard slopes, or in the fall to enjoy the changing of the leaves — you can always find things to do here with your family. Whether you have small kids or rowdy teenagers, Scottsdale offers tons of outdoor activities, indoor shopping centers, unique shops, and cool restaurants that are suitable for people of all ages and interests.

But what if you don’t want to spend a fortune on your upcoming vacation? Instead of spending thousands of dollars per week, or per day, on your family holiday, we have a few “budget” things to do that are still fun and exciting! Just because you aren’t spending lots of money, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t taking full advantage of your vacation.

Scottsdale has free activities, inexpensive places to visit, and multiple green spaces and parks that make it perfect for those who are looking to have a memorable vacation on a budget. Let’s check out the best family-friendly Scottsdale events (besides hiking on one of the many trails!) in Scottsdale that won’t leave you cursing your bank account at the end of the trip!

Visit Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale feels like you stepped back in time. There are cool historical buildings, architecture that is reminiscent of centuries past, and cool shops that are great for exploring and finding the best deals on souvenirs, clothes, and decorations. Head here with your children to have a fun family night out, visiting one of the local restaurants that offer great Mexican food, like mouthwatering burritos and cheesy nachos. For families who are interested in doing something out of the ordinary, we recommend exploring Old Town Scottsdale by segway, bike, or carriage ride!

Scottsdale Civic Center Mall

This cool shopping center in Downtown Scottsdale is great for those who want to find some great deals on clothes, decor, souvenirs, and much more! Just because it is a shopping center, it doesn’t mean it is expensive or filled with all designer shops. Head here to go shopping and then sit outside with a nice smoothie, iced coffee, or picnic lunch at the common space in the Civic Center Mall.

Plus, once you are done shopping here, head to the Scottsdale Public Library for some educational time with your kids. This library is free to enter and offers a great respite from the hot summer sun or the bitter cold during the winter months.

OdySea Aquarium

Although this is not necessarily free, the aquarium is a low-priced day out on the town that is perfect for those who want to do something unique without breaking the bank. Did you know this aquarium is actually the largest in the entire state? This 200,000-square-foot attraction features over 370 species of marine wildlife, making it the perfect place to learn something with your kids!

Head here to bring your children to do family-friendly activities, like coloring marine wildlife, Sketching the Seas drawing activity, using the hands-on water table, or doing one of the many marine-related activities.

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Scottsdale is home to many unique activities — and this one really takes the cake! This cool dinner and show event in South Scottsdale is fun for kids and adults of all ages. You can travel back in time to have a mouthwatering four-course dinner, watch the medieval jousting competition, and take part in the interactive medieval show. This fun attraction is great for kids of all ages, keeping toddlers and teenagers entertained the entire time!

Scottsdale Events and Best Accommodation

Doesn’t this sound like the best vacation? We think so too! Scottsdale is one of the best places for those who are interested in doing unique things, getting outside in the beautiful weather, and experiencing family-friendly activities that won’t leave you broke at the end of your holiday. Along with finding the best things to do to keep your kids entertained, you need to find an inexpensive place to stay that still offers enough space for your entire family.

Luckily for you, we have you covered! I Love Scottsdale offers spacious, luxurious, and high-end rental properties that are perfect for families of various sizes. We have properties in downtown Scottsdale, houses in the hills, and everything in between to suit your unique needs.

Do you need a 3-bedroom house with an outdoor pool? Got it! Do you want a 2-bedroom condominium with a balcony? We have that! I Love Scottsdale offers numerous properties, top-notch customer service, and high-end amenities that are perfect for vacationers.

Contact us today to book the vacation home of your dream and keep your holiday budget as low as possible!