< Previous28 AZFOOTHILLS.COM On the Cover Photographed by Amber Asaly. All swim via ilovelolli.com. Insider's Guide 36. WHAT'S HOT 46. ON THE MARKET 48. AZ GIVING: A HEART FOR THE ARTS 50. AZ HEALTH: SUMMER LOVIN’ RNR 54. STAYS 56. TRAVEL: FOR LAKE’S SAKE 58. INMEXICO: ESCAPE TO MÉRIDA Style 62. BEAUTY: SUMMER SMOOCHER 64. FASHION: SUIT YOURSELF 70. BIJOUX: QUEEN GREEN Fin 96. FIN: YES WE CANNOLI THE SUMMER ESCAPES ISSUE In Every IssueFOR RESERVATIONS CALL 480.513.5039 or visit fourseasons.com/scottsdale RATES FROM $189 per night* • Complimentary treats served poolside • Adults-only and family pool area • Complimentary Kids For All Seasons program • Events and activities for all ages • Summer spa specials Try our new contemporary Spanish steakhouse that focuses on traditional Latin ingredients and specialties such as paella, dry-aged steak, jamón ibérico, fresh seafood and a flavorful selection of tapas all complemented by a selection of more than 500 new and old world wines and crafted cocktails. *Rates start at $189 per night Sunday through Thursday; weekend rates vary during season. Based on availability, exclusive of taxes. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Other restrictions may apply. Valid 5-27-2019 through 8-29-2019. EXPERIENCE THE ALL-NEW FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE This summer, discover the transformation of Arizona’s premier luxury resort. Relax in the comfort of newly renovated casitas and suites surrounded by an inspiring desert landscape. Savor refreshing cocktails and vibrant Latin flavors at the reimagined Talavera. Enjoy family activities and events hosted by the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program. Or, simply unwind at the bi-level pool offering plush chaise lounges, cabanas and spectacular mountain views. when it’s hot the coolest spot30 AZFOOTHILLS.COM 74. Summer Escapes: Local Love Whether you’re looking for romantic moments and hand-crafted cocktails or waterslides and kid’s clubs, these resorts in the Valley and beyond are proving that a staycation might be the best “cation” of them all. By Melissa Larsen 86. Summer Escapes: The Real O.C. From gorgeous remodels and additions to amenity-laden summer packages, book these Orange County stays pronto for some serious seasonal luxury. Plus: A peek at Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn for an oceanside respite. By Kyley Warren 94. Summer Escapes: Go North The Resort at Paws Up provides a number of ways to connect with nature and one another during a blissful Montana summer. Keep these dates in mind as you plan your summertime getaway up north. By Melissa Larsen THE SUMMER ESCAPES ISSUESANCTUARY “Top Resorts in Southwest” – Condé Nast Traveler, 2018 “America’s Top 25 Luxury Hotels” – TripAdvisor , 2018 SanctuaryAZ.com Time away from the kids, drinks by the pool, a luxurious spa and so much more. Book your staycation at Sanctuary, because adults need playtime too. Ask about our Arizona Residents Special and save 20% * off room rates. Visit SanctuaryAZ.com or call 833.475.3202 . Don’t tell the kids. *Subject to availability June 1 – August 30, 2019. Must present Arizona ID upon check-in. Cannot be combined with any other offer.32 AZFOOTHILLS.COM I ’M ORIGINALLY FROM WYOMING, and let me be frank: I do not miss Wyoming winters. But I do have a soft spot in my heart for high-country summers, when mountain meadows are green, fish are biting in the lake and stars fill the sky at night. Luckily for me, more than 30 years ago I adopted Arizona as my home. Part of our job at the Arizona Office of Tourism is to educate travelers all over the world about the geographical and geological diversity of our state. So many people think Arizona is one big cactus-covered desert. They have no idea we have aspen stands, alpine lakes and the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest. Like most any Phoenix resident, I love taking advantage of summer deals at one of our gorgeous resorts. But, I must confess, my favorite summer escapes take me into the mountains, where the temperature is cooler and workday responsibilities seem farther away. Greer is such an escape for me—specifically the parts of town where my smartphone doesn’t get service and my cabin accommodations lack a TV. Greer is the perfect place to lounge creekside with a book, drive aimlessly along country roads and embrace the unhurried pace of a White Mountains summer. Flagstaff is another Arizona escape that calls to me every summer. I love how easy it is to transition from rugged mountain excursions to urban creature comforts in Flagstaff. I never tire of driving to Snowbowl and taking the ski lift to the upper reaches of the San Francisco Peaks—and I’m just as fond of strolling through downtown, ducking into shops and galleries and dining at charming local restaurants. Of course, northern Arizona doesn’t have a monopoly on mountain escapes. I also enjoy heading south for the summer. The drive up Mount Lemmon is absolutely stunning, and I’m always amazed at how cool it is at the top. And Bisbee, America’s southernmost mile-high town, never fails to disappoint me with its eclectic shops and galleries, historic inns and fabulous local eateries. That little town has figured out how to feel fresh and artsy while still embracing its mining history and ghost stories. A recent study by the U.S. Travel Association about vacation usage found that Arizonans are really good at taking vacation. We come in at No. 3 nationally in average vacation days taken per year. I think one of the reasons Arizonans waste fewer vacation days than residents of almost every other state is that we live in such a beautiful place. There are plenty of bucket-list natural wonders and road trips right in our own backyard, and the weather is always perfect somewhere in the state—even in summer. So enjoy this edition of AZ Foothills, and plan at least one getaway this summer in Arizona. Because when you live in a place this beautiful, the best vacations need not require plane tickets. Travels Guest Publisher Letter HAPPY DEBBIE JOHNSON DIRECTOR, ARIZONA OFFICE OF TOURISM JOHNSON WAS NAMED MOST INFLUENTIAL IN VALLEY TOURISM IN BEST OF OUR VALLEY 2019!INDELIBLE MEMORIES BEGIN WITH A Crashing waves. Ocean breezes. Warm sand between your toes. And seaside adventures with the ones you love most. Grand American Beach Vacation at The Del HOTELDEL.COM BEACHVILLAGEATTHEDEL.COM 800-HOTEL-DEL34 AZFOOTHILLS.COM EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW...THIS MONTH. … Insider’s Guide Clutch These Pearls Sandal, but make it high-fashion. The Nudist Pearls 105 Sandals in Black Suede ($750) from the Stuart Weitzman for Yang Mi Collection take on the season’s chicest gem: the pearl. Beautiful yet easy to wear for summertime affairs, these stunners can be paired with everything from midi dresses to cropped trousers. Stuart Weitzman. –Melissa Larsen36 AZFOOTHILLS.COM Insider's Guide By Melissa Larsen My Specialty Charles Babbitt, who grew up in Flagstaff, has been a birder since 1978. Babbitt is now sharing his avian expertise via his new book, "Birding Arizona – What to Know, Where to Go." Here, the expert shares his tips for birding in Arizona. Invest in a good pair of binoculars. They are indispensable. Prior to setting out, take some time to go through a field identification guide and a checklist of birds for your target area, if available, to familiarize yourself with the bird species you are likely to encounter. Always have a field identification guide with you. Some guides cover large geographic areas with photographs or illustrations of hundreds of species. To make things easier, some field guides have editions that cover smaller geographic areas. If you are a new birder, consider going on a field trip or bird walk. It’s a wonderful way to meet other birders and learn about new places to watch birds. These trips are usually led by experienced birders who can help you with information and techniques that will improve your identification skills. Local Audubon Societies regularly have scheduled trips to many parts of the state as well as favorite local birding spots. You can find a field trip just about any day of the week, any month of the year. In addition, botanical gardens like Desert Botanical Garden and museums often have regularly conducted bird walks. The secret to finding birds is the habitat. Different birds like different habitats. To find the habitats that are most likely to attract birds, it’s useful to learn to identify some common plants and trees. Birds are often found feeding on the fruits of plant species like mulberry, hackberry and pyracantha. Tube-shaped flowers like gilia and penstemon are famous for attracting hummingbirds. Birds are most active during the early morning hours and again later in the afternoon. When birding, don’t forget to look up into the sky. Some species like hawks, eagles and swifts often fly and soar high overhead and can easily be overlooked if you don’t scan the sky from time to time. Get in the habit of keeping a list of the birds you see. Sightings of rare birds should be reported to the Arizona Bird Committee to alert other birders and increase our knowledge of Arizona’s birdlife. FULL STEAM AHEAD Of the 30,000 steam engines that were built within the last 150 years, less than 200 survived—and only a few are still running today. Arizonans are fortunate to have two in our own backyard. GRAND CANYON RAILWAY has announced that it will once again bring out its operational Steam Locomotive monthly on the first Saturday of the month through Oct. 5 during Steam Saturdays. The railway will also run a special steam train on Sept. 21, which marks Grand Canyon Railway’s 30th Anniversary. thetrain.com. YOUR SUMMER ESCAPE www.wekoparesort.com *Subject to availability and not valid with other offers. Valid from 5/1/19-8/31/19. 1 NIGHT STARTING AT $ 99 * 2 NIGHTS STARTING AT $ 189 * PACKAGES INCLUDE $10 Casino Free Play 25% Off Spa Services Food & Beverage Credit Waived Resort Fee 480-789-5320Next >