Archive for August, 2010

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Rock Climbing Around the Tucson Mountain Real Estate

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Are you looking for a way to conquer the world?  If so, then there just may be something waiting for you in Tucson, Arizona.  The Grand Canyon State is home to some of the most interesting landscapes in the world, from the flattest of the flat to the rockiest mountain tops, Arizona seems to have it all.  One of the best ways to challenge yourself while experiencing all that Tucson has to offer is through rock climbing.  This sport has captured the attention and love of millions and for good reason, not only does it provide a release and an excellent workout, but it also brings a person much closer to the Earth.

Before you hit the beautiful Tucson mountain real estate, however, you will likely want to venture into the heart of Tucson, where you can find a facility called Rocks and Ropes.  For kids or adults, this center for rock climbing is the perfect way to get the training you need before trying the real thing.  Learn about the correct way to secure harnesses, train your body to hold in awkward positions and learn the fun that can come with conquering great obstacles.  Not only does the space have open hours each day, it also provides more hands on training for those who sign up for group climbs or the camp rock program, and KidzKlimb are open hours for children only to try their hand at the walls.

Once you have received the training you need, you may be ready to try out the mountains of Tucson.  There are many excellent locations for climbers of all levels.  Perhaps the most popular mountain is Mt. Lemmon.  There are more than twelve hundred climbing routes that lead up the slope of the mountain.  The peak sits more than nine thousand feet from the flat grounds of Tucson.  It is the perfect place to climb with ropes.  There are even sites that would speak better to the professionals, or those who simply don’t want to be tied down.  For instance, the Hairpin Boulders, which are located within the Mount Lemmon range, offer a tough climb for those seeking a true challenge. 

Whether you are a beginner looking for a new adventure, or an expert seeking the next great thrill, the rock climbing in and around Tucson will leave you breathless with excitement and thrill.  Spend a day or a week and find your journey rock climbing in Tucson.

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Desert Highlands Is Stunning North Scottsdale Real Estate

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

It all began in 1981 when well-known developer Lyle Anderson had a vision to create a private residential community built around an exceptional golf course and a beautifully appointed country club. By 1983, Anderson had received a commitment from the legendary “Golden Bear” of golf, Jack Nicklaus, to design the award-winning 18-hole course, and voila – Anderson himself sold the first 75 properties of the intimate 560-home community.

Located in high Sonoran desert of far North Scottsdale, Arizona, Mother Nature’s many treasures are on full display in Desert Highlands thanks to careful planning and a surround of to-die-for views of boulder-strewn mountains and twinkling city lights. Nestled on East Happy Valley Road on the southern slopes of the ancient spires of Pinnacle Peak, this luxurious 24-hour guard-gated community encompasses 850 acres of stunning Scottsdale real estate. Today, it is a well-established, much-desired member-owned private country club community where members (and you must be a property owner to be a member…) can take advantage of a wealth of world-class amenities including a gorgeous clubhouse, a shimmering pool (heated for year-round swimming pleasure), an extensive menu of relaxing spa services and a state-of-the-art fitness center. In addition, the Club offers both fine and casual dining where the diverse residents enjoy a rare camaraderie over lunch, dinner or cocktails.

It’s important to note that one need not be a die-hard golfer to savor the high standards of the Desert Highlands lifestyle. To round out the rich recreational choices, the community also features 13 grass and hard-surface tennis courts supported by a full-service Pro Shop at the Desert Highlands Racquet Club. Of course, when it’s time to hit the links, the signature amenity is definitely the Nicklaus-designed championship golf course, host to pro-golf’s inaugural Skins Game, but first, if your short game needs help, be sure to visit the 18-hole putting course. Said to be inspired by the putting course at St. Andrews, this par-41 course boasts more than 60,000 square-feet of putting surface.

While tucked deep in the desert, Desert Highlands is within 10 to 15 minutes of the Loop 101 freeway, ensuring easy access to all that the Phoenix metropolitan area has to offer: busy business corridors, a wide variety of dining options and eateries, upscale shopping, charming boutiques, first-rate cultural venues, numerous theaters, professional sports arenas and more. Also located nearby are top-rated public and private schools as well as some of the world’s most renowned medical facilities, including the Mayo Clinic.

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Living in Scottsdale Offers Something for Everyone

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Sophisticated, seductive, sexy Scottsdale is a haven for the finer things in life.

Whether you are in love with the sensational elegance of the high Sonoran desert, the razzle-dazzle of sleek and chic urban loft living, or a fashionable kick-back-and-relax family lifestyle, living in Scottsdale, Arizona has definitely got everything you need – plus a lot more.

Boasting guard-gated golf course communities, intimate upscale neighborhoods and exclusive dining, shopping and living districts, Scottsdale is filled with passion, pizzazz and personality-plus. Each swank community within this charismatic city’s borders sizzles with its own sense of style. For example, for those who treasure the urban-hipster look and feel, downtown Scottsdale is home to numerous trendy boutiques, dance-till-dawn nightclubs and see-and-be-seen restaurants, where getting dressed-to-the-nines is an art form in and of itself. Home-styles include chi-chi apartments, lock-and-leave villas and high-rise condominiums, many of which are decked out with garden terraces and walls of sheer glass windows that showcase a shimmering panorama of city lights as far as the eye can see.

A bit more sedate, the center city is home to Scottsdale’s luxuriant garden district where handsome family neighborhoods come alive with canopies of shade trees, lush grassy lawns and a Santa Barbara ambience. Floor plans range from two- and three-bedroom single-level homes to expansive homes with multiple bedrooms for growing families. Man-made lakes and waterways dot the landscape, and what’s even better is that Scottsdale’s real estate zoning regulations ensure that many of these neighborhoods, such as the lovely McCormick Ranch, will forever retain their abundant charm.

Further north, the McDowell Mountain/Foothills area is signatured by magnificent homes and stunning estates surrounded by forever-preserved mountain ranges. Snuggled into the spectacular higher elevations, world-class master-planned communities offer extraordinarily private custom homes and homesites tucked around championship golf courses designed by world-famous golfers and their associates. Nestled next to dramatic boulder-strewn mountains and stands of stately saguaros, these beautiful plateau communities enjoy cooler temperatures and luminous sunrises, iridescent sunsets and magical, mystical moonlit nights.

Throughout Scottsdale, it’s easy to find exceptional shopping, dining and cultural venues as well as gorgeous parks, well-maintained hiking/biking trails and a wealth of alfresco amenities that cater to virtually every lifestyle. Particularly in the winter season, events of all kinds abound…it’s a high-end car collectors’ nirvana, an art aficionados’ wonderland and a horse-show heaven for the equestrian set…all of which exquisitely accents the majesties of Mother Nature that embrace this creature-comfort town.

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The Sanctuary Real Estate in Paradise Valley Has Storied History

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

One area of Paradise Valley luxury real estate that exudes not just sophistication and style, but also a wealth of history, is the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. And what many people do not realize is that this exclusive resort’s legacy is filled with Hollywood celebrities, international tennis stars and even highly placed politicos.

According to The Sanctuary’s website, www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com, the story begins back in the early 1950s when the unique mountainside property was purchased by a group of investors including Hollywood stars Joanne Dru, John Ireland and Sydney Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin’s son. Joanne Dru was a famous actress who worked with big names including Jimmy Stewart, Al Jolson and John Ford; she and Ireland, who worked with Stanley Kubrick, Michael Landon and Broderick Crawford among others, were married at the time. Well-known architect Hiram Hudson Benedict, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, was tapped to design a clubhouse, and Benedict and Ireland developed the clubhouse, five tennis courts and a prototype casita that become John Ireland’s Arizona home.

Throughout the 1950s, the facility was known as the Paradise Valley Racquet Club. Thanks to its Hollywood cachet, the tennis club attracted la crème de la crème of motion picture stars along with world-ranked tennis figures such as Ken Rosewall and Pancho Gonzales. As the 1950s turned into the 1960s, local real estate entrepreneurs Vik Jackson and Les Heitel brought together an investment group that purchased the Racquet Club’s 53 mountainside acres, including the tennis courts, casitas and clubhouse. Meanwhile, tennis-training impresarios John and Barbara Gardiner were in the process of expanding their California-based tennis business. They became part of the operation and decided to construct additional casitas as well as expansive homes on the property, which then became known as John Gardiner’s Tennis Ranch.

At about the same time, Paradise Valley resident and political heavyweight Senator Barry Goldwater was spearheading a group that was formed to preserve Camelback Mountain. The Tennis Ranch provided strong support for the preservation movement which eliminated development of land above the 1,700-foot level of Camelback Mountain. To help ensure that the mountain was preserved, the owners of the tennis facility transferred acreage from their privately-owned real estate into the Preserve.

In addition to helping save Camelback Mountain, the resort also supported community causes by holding numerous celebrity tennis tournaments to benefit a variety of charities. These tournaments drew many Hollywood stars, both as players and as spectators, including Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Liza Minelli, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and others. The Senator’s Cup Tennis Tournament was also hosted at the Ranch, featuring members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and other politicians who battled for bragging rights in front of an often-packed gallery.

A few ownership transitions later, along with massive renovations, and the resort took on new life when it reopened in March 2001 as Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. The Sanctuary is now home to not just a storied history, but also magnificent spa-like amenities, sensational valley-wide views and award-winning fine dining.

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Finest In Tucson Luxury Real Estate

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

While filled with plenty of more affordable housing options, Tucson, Arizona is also host to a plethora of high-end communities, subdivisions and neighborhoods, especially in the northern and northwestern sections of the city. For example, the Tucson luxury real estate communities of Oro Valley, Marana and Catalina Foothills are home to a wealth of upscale communities, both gated and non-gated, and in fact, Oro Valley has been called one of the most affluent communities in the southwest. Oro Valley’s master-planned community of Rancho Vistoso boasts a number of gated subdivisions, including the luxury subdivision of Honey Bee Canyon, which contains only 48 lots sized at over an acre each, as well as intimate venues such as Fairfield at Vistoso, a golf subdivision on the Vistoso Golf Course.

Nestled across the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, the master-planned community of Dove Mountain lies in the nearby town of Marana. Like Rancho Vistoso, Dove Mountain is home to several gated communities, including The Gallery and Canyon Pass. The very private and gated Gallery Canyon has only 15 residences and The Overlook boasts just 17 custom-built houses, while gated courtyards are the pièce de résistance at the Private Collection at the Terrace. Within these communities, views typically are right on the fairways of one of the two courses of the Gallery Golf Club, making these addresses ideal for golfers and spectators of the sport. But that’s not all; there’s also Dos Lagos on the club’s south course. The posh living quarters here currently carry price tags of more than $1 million each.

Other subdivisions in Dove Mountain include the retirement community of Heritage Hills, The Villages, Quail Crossing, The Preserve and The Bluffs. Dove Mountain features four golf courses, including the course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, host of the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship.

Catalina State Park

The community of Catalina Foothills is also home to dramatic homes and estates, including Catalina Foothills Estates which is a collection of gorgeous neighborhoods located just slightly north of Tucson. These communities, some of which are gated, offer a subtle blend of architectural styles ranging from Tuscan-inspired motifs to magnificent desert estates to territorial ranch homes. For families with school-age children, it’s important to note that the Estates are served by the Catalina Foothills School District, which is consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in Arizona.

With spectacular views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and the city of Tucson itself, Cobblestone Homes is considered one of the most elite subdivisions in Catalina Foothills. If you’re a golf aficionado, you can choose to make your home in one of Catalina Foothills’ scenic golf subdivisions such as La Paloma, which is made up of several smaller neighborhoods surrounding the golf course at the exclusive Westin La Paloma Resort.

Meanwhile, The Canyons in Catalina Foothills is nestled right next to the base of the Santa Catalinas and features homes currently ranging in price from $2 million to $8 million. Every house is on a large, private lot and has a wonderful view of the mountains, with some also overlooking the city lights of Tucson.

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Arizona Houses So Many Fun Things to Do

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

From hiking, biking and boating to shopping, dining and dancing, Arizona houses a plethora of amazing real estate and even more amazing things to see, experience and explore.

Let’s start in northern Arizona, in Page, which not only enjoys its own scenic sights, but also serves as a hub for several different popular destinations known as the “Grand Circle”. A few short minutes drive north of Page is Lake Powell, where you can book a boat tour that lets you take in a wealth of scenic grandeur from beautiful Tapestry Canyon to the Rainbow Bridge.

Of course, no trip to Arizona is complete without at least a day at the Grand Canyon, which is only about a two-hour drive from Page. For the adventurous and physically fit, a variety of hikes await you, but if savoring spectacular scenery and souvenir shopping is more to your liking, you’ll find plenty of that here as well.

About two hours south of the Grand Canyon lies Sedona, Arizona. Famous for its red-rock formations, Sedona is also a must-see destination for visitors and residents alike, since the scenery and topography of the entire area, which includes the magnificence of Oak Creek Canyon, is quite simply breathtaking. Consider taking a guided tour in a four-wheel-drive vehicle; these trusty beasts-of-burden are known to clamber up and down some of the most stunning boulder-strewn landscape.

Closer to central Arizona, the Phoenix metropolitan area is filled with museums, theaters, sports stadiums, and shopping and dining venues. A fun day’s itinerary might include the Phoenix Zoo, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen West and a visit to downtown Scottsdale, where upscale art galleries perfectly mix with old-fashioned cowboy charisma. If you’re here in March, take in a Major League Baseball spring training game, and end your day in Glendale’s Catlin Court, where old-world charm and historic homes have been converted into tasty eateries and delightful boutiques.

Southern Arizona is awash with the majesties of Mother Nature, and is also home to uniquely themed exhibits, including the Titan Missile Museum, which focuses on providing an education about the history of nuclear conflict around the time of the Cold War. Movie buffs should definitely check out Old Tucson Studios; situated just fifteen minutes from Tucson, this old frontier town has been the film-site for numerous Hollywood westerns, including movies starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. As you explore the grounds, you can watch a cowboy gunfight, enjoy a musical revue, take a ride on a miniature train into the surrounding desert or visit the Old Tucson Story Museum, home to a number of original costumes worn on television shows such as Little House on the Prairie and Bonanza.

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In Summer, Head North of Scottsdale Where it is the Time to Climb

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

During summer, most places in Arizona are not welcoming to those who enjoy being outdoors and experiencing all nature has to offer. With temperatures that soar above 100 degrees and an abundant supply of sunshine, the desert environment can quickly sap a person’s energy and interest in outdoor adventures. This can be discouraging, even frustrating, to active souls who just aren’t satisfied in the confines of a gym.

If that sounds like you, don’t be discouraged! Just a short drive from the Valley of the Sun is some of the best mountain hiking and summer temperatures – the average is 80 degrees – our nation has to offer. Flagstaff, Arizona, is located just 155 miles from north Scottsdale homes, a convenient escape only about two hours away.

When considering which hike to do up north, it’s hard to go wrong with Arizona’s tallest mountain, Humphreys Peak. This is a favorite of many, as it’s a great hike that offers plenty of challenges and even more beauty. Humphreys Peak has an altitude of 12,633 feet; it’s literally the highest point in all of Arizona, and as such, offers 360-degree views that are truly breathtaking.

The trailhead is just seven miles north of Flagstaff and starts from the Snowbowl Ski Area parking lot. Snowbowl is easy to find and offers plenty of free parking. At the beginning, the Humphreys Trail starts gently, with lots of switchbacks that offer the legs and lungs a break from the rigors of climbing. As the hike goes on, however, switchbacks become less common and the hike gets more difficult. That said, the elevation gain is more than 3,200 vertical feet, so there is a lot of “going up” involved with hiking Humphreys!

Make no mistake, this is known as a “strenuous” and “advanced” trail. Don’t let that scare you away, though. At just 8.25 total miles in length, the hike is doable by many fitness levels if it is taken slowly and with care. Another thing to take very seriously before and during your hike is the weather in the area. Because this trail is exposed and at such a high altitude, it is very important not to be high on the mountain toward the final stretch to the summit if any storms are approaching. Ideal times to hike the Humprhreys Trail are early morning to midday; remember that late-afternoon thunderstorms are normal.

Humphreys Peak is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring climbs you can do. While it is a strong test of one’s lungs and leg power, the rewards of getting to the top and looking around are worth it. Combine that with the respite from the heat, and it’s well worth the drive and experience! Be sure to put Flagstaff and Humphreys Peak on your list of summer getaways!

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Scottsdale is the Trend Setters Home

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Whether you’re in the market for the latest high fashion apparel, magnificent fine art, enviable pieces of jewelry or a sensational desert home set on view-rich real estate, Scottsdale, Arizona doesn’t just follow trends—Scottsdale sets them.

Let’s start up in the far North Scottsdale real estate. Right near The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa, is el Pedregal Festival Marketplace. Reminiscent of an ancient Moroccan oasis, El Pedregal Festival Marketplace boasts fabulous boutiques, fine art galleries and upscale restaurants. During the cooler months, El Pedregal has even been known to host open-air concerts in the courtyard amphitheater.

A bit further south, you’ll find that North Scottsdale also has its share of more traditional, yet still very first-class shopping malls, one of which is Kierland Commons. This intimate outdoor mall includes venues such as Anthropologie, Z Gallery and Michael Kors, as well as some of Scottsdale locals’ favorite night-life bars and restaurants.

Currently, downtown Scottsdale is home to more than 100 boutiques, shops and art galleries, plus Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, which enjoys stores such as Barneys New York. Meanwhile, the Old Town Scottsdale section is notable for its Old West ambience and offerings of handcrafted jewelry, pots, rugs and more by Native American artisans. A number of galleries and shops in Old Town Scottsdale also offer a mind-bending array of gorgeous articles and artifacts that are unique to the Southwest.

Not far away, you’ll find a charismatic cluster of chic shopping malls with stores that rival those you find nestled along Los Angeles’s Rodeo Drive. For example, Scottsdale Fashion Square is host to more than 200 premier retailers a la Kenneth Cole, Louis Vuitton and more. Featuring extremely high-end specialty shops and eateries, The Borgata of Scottsdale is an architecturally charming re-creation of the Tuscan village of San Gimignano, Italy, complete with open-air seating, gently cascading fountains and quaint cobblestone walkways.

In nearby Phoenix, Biltmore Fashion Park has an exceptional lineup of stores (Saks Fifth Avenue, Apple Store, bebe, Brooks Brothers, Escada, Tommy Bahama and Williams-Sonoma, to name just a few), as well as a Concierge Center that can supply you with restaurant menus and reservations, valet information and transportation options; in addition, they are always happy to hook their guests up with complimentary bottled water, complimentary package carry-out, and tourism and event information.

For the ultimate shopping experience you might want to check out one of the area’s customized shopping services that utilize luxurious chauffeur-driven limousines and personal shopping experts. It’s just one of many amazing ways to experience shopping in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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Phoenix Houses Museums, Music and Much More

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Centerpiece of the Valley of the Sun, the city of Phoenix, Arizona is nestled in a sprawling valley embraced by the McDowell, Superstition, White Tank and Estrella Mountains. What started as a dusty little town of a few square blocks when it was incorporated in 1881 has grown into the fifth-largest city in the United States, encompassing nearly 500 square miles. Along with the natural majesties of Mother Nature, Phoenix houses a population of more than 1.5 million residents supported by a thriving “man-made” arshants community, and in fact, the arts are both abundant and approachable in Phoenix.

Whether you prefer art that is visual, such as painting, sculpture or glasswork; performance-based, such as opera, ballet, theater or the symphony; or museum-centered, you can find it in high quantity and high quality in Phoenix and the surrounding communities.

Let’s start with the recently renovated Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, home to the Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Symphony, all of which offer full seasons and a broad spectrum of programming that appeals to a wide audience. Just across the street from Symphony Hall is the Herberger Theater Center, home to several theatrical companies as well as a dance company. A bonus is that upstairs from the Herberger’s lobby area is a gallery that exhibits an ever-changing display of works from local artists. okay

Elsewhere in and near downtown Phoenix, small venues such as the Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix Theater and others showcase both touring artists and local troupes. The Dodge Theater is a theatrical chameleon of sorts, morphing into a comedy club, a concert venue or a theatrical production stage through as-needed repositioning of both seating and stage.

Numerous Phoenix artists and musicians participate in First Fridays, a monthly evening event when downtown galleries, studios and businesses open their doors and encourage visitors to wander down the streets, stopping to meet artists and artisans and learn about their work.

Those who get their art-fix at museums definitely have a bonanza waiting for them in Phoenix. From the world-famous Heard Museum, to the Phoenix Art Museum, to the Hall of Flame, there are museums for all ages and interests. Check out the specialty museums such as the Mining and Mineral Museum and the Arizona Capitol Museum, where you can learn about the origins of the state of Arizona. Many museums offer free admission one day of the week, so check with them and plan your excursions accordingly.

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Architectural Styles of Arizona Homes

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Whether you’re new to the Valley of the Sun and looking to buy a home, visiting the area on vacation or even if you’ve lived here all your life, you’re sure to encounter many different styles of homes in Arizona. Architecture here is rather different from other parts of the country.

From back East or a big city? You probably haven’t encountered a popular style of home found in Arizona commonly known as Santa Fe, or Territorial, style. These homes have a pueblo-style look and usually are constructed out of stucco. They feature a plain square design, which may have rustic wooden beams – called vigas – protruding out of the stucco in the front of the home or sometimes over the garage for a decorative touch. These homes support a flat roof and may resemble homes you’ve seen in Western movies.

Another type of architecture popular for Arizona homes is the Ranch style, which is quite common in other parts of the country, too. These single-level homes with a pitched roof are plentiful in older, established Arizona neighborhoods.

Of course, Spanish-influenced architecture has long been utilized in Arizona and is glimpsed not only in more mature areas but also in many of the newer, gated communities. These homes are highlighted by arched doorways and red-tile roofs that are usually pitched but can also be flat.

The newer edition of Santa Barbara, or Tuscan, style has sprung up within the past seven to 10 years, frequently in larger homes with about 5,000 square feet and, more specifically, in homes located in Paradise Valley and other upscale environs. In fact, when older homes are torn down and rebuilt in those areas, the new home is often built in the Tuscan style. The look usually includes tile roofs, rustic-type shutters and high ceilings. The Tuscan style also may feature a courtyard in the front of the home (or near the entrance) and while such homes may be one story, there are many that are two or even three stories, often with lots of stonework on the outside to distinguish them from other types of homes found in the Valley.

One more architectural style that is a bit more of a rarity in Arizona dwellings is the contemporary. With its modern and airy feel – often incorporating clean lines, geometric forms, overhangs and lots of glass windows and/or walls to let the light in – contemporary homes often look like works of art themselves. Of course, this type of home also calls for a certain type of homeowner. Clutter in this type of home can ruin the presentation!

No matter what style of home you prefer, however, Arizona has a home that will work for you. And if you can’t find one ready to purchase in the style you desire, rest assured. You can always buy a lot and have the home of your dreams custom-built just for you.

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