Enjoy Scenic Drive

Take a Tour  Attractions and Shopping Near Drive 

  Family Fun Activities Sites to See

  Neighborhoods  Top 10 Things to Do Take a Tour

The Scenic Drive showcases desert plants and connects Scottsdale, Arizona with the desert communities of Carefree and Cave Creek. It is both a place and a four decades-old preservation effort undertaken by residents.

 The Scenic Drive makes it easy for visitors to learn the names of cacti, trees and other plants that thrive in this uniquely beautiful area.  

Small redwood signs identify more than twenty species of native plants on both sides of Scottsdale Road.  A roadside exhibit provides information about Sonoran climate, animals and plants.  

Preservation Heritage

 The Scenic Drive is one of the Valley of the Sun's first preservation efforts; its exhibit, plant identification signs and this Web site are maintained by area residents.  The Scenic Drive was originated in 1963 by residents to establish scenic setbacks along a two lane road passing through an expanse of "empty" desert. 

For decades tours heading north to Sedona and Grand Canyon from Phoenix and Scottsdale have traveled the Scenic Drive.  Today, Scottsdale Road is a four lane highway that links 

• Homes, resorts, shopping, golf, horseback riding
• Restaurants and art galleries
• Attractions such as Heard Museum North, Rawhide, el Pedregal, Boulders and Mac Donald's Ranch, with 
• Black Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, Lone Mountain and the Mc Dowell Mountains clearly visible.

Attractions and Shopping Near Drive

In addition to scenery, plants and animals, north Scottsdale and the foothills are dotted with places to see and things to do.

Attractions include horseback riding, unique restaurants and a museum. [Read More]

 Shopping includes the very special el Pedregal and local shopping areas. [Read More]

And, there are countless indoor and outdoor activities within an hour's drive that the entire family can enjoy. Feel like taking a hike or riding a bike? [Read More]  

Family Fun Activities

There is no need for families to be bored in the Valley of the Sun. The page suggests to possible activities for you and/or your family. [Read More]

Sites to See

Often, visitors to this site ask about things to see and do during a visit to Scottsdale. To help, here are some places that can be visited in two days or less. [Read More]

Neighborhoods

Most of the volunteers who help with the Scenic Drive live in its immediate vicinity. Neighborhoods on or near the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive provide a variety of lifestyles and range from horse properties to small developments with custom homes to larger gated golf communities. These neighborhoods include Bellasera: [Read More], Bent Tree Estates [Read More], Monte de Paz [Read More], Monterra [Read More], Sincuidados and   Terravita. Neighborhood homeowner associations are invited to place information about their neighborhoods and activities in this section.

There are also churches, a school and shopping area on the Scenic Drive. [Read More]

Top 10 Things To Do

What is a first time visitor to do? First, know that the Scenic Drive is both a place and  a local preservation effort.  Here are 10 suggestions of things to see and do. [Read More]