thinking about Arizona next year

Yuma is the warmest place in Arizona. If you stay in Yuma, why not stay at the best, which is Cocopah Resort. This is are 10th year here.

There is fantastic hiking in Arizona of all abilities. If you stay near Tucson check out the Sonoita area for wineries.

As stated above, pick a few areas and try them out. Every state park is great. In Tucson, give Gilbert Ray campground in Tucson Mtn. Park a try. It's beautiful Sonoran desert with easy hikes. It's close to the Desert Museum and Saguaro Nat'l Park - West. (There's also a East area, too.) Tucson's Catalina State Park is very nice.

For the greater Phoenix area try the scenic Maricopa County parks for big sites, lush vegetation and nice hikes. Lost Dutchman State Park in nearby Apache Junction is also a good one.

tohare wrote:
we have stayed in Florida the last few winters and think it is time to move on. We enjoy walking/non-strenuous hiking, sight seeing, shopping, wines, breweries... We are looking for a younger crowd to hang with, no proms no interest in bingo or game night. any ideas where we might want to stay?

We "feel your pain". We have spent a lot of time in Florida over the years for mini vacations prior to retiring. When we retired we checked out Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Now we are in our second long term winter stay in Florida.

There are things we like and dislike about Florida. On the plus side you can't beat the winter weather if you stay south of Sarasota. You have plenty of water front if any of your hobbies involve water. The negatives for us is the congestion and expense.

We have six couples (good friends) that either live in SW Florida now, or at least spend their winters down here. I suppose that is the deciding factor that keeps us down here for 4 or 5 months every winter.

Justin's, noted above is well situated with easy access to all the hiking you could possibly want.

Desert Trails, where we have spent the last 6 winters, is right next door and has a lot more amenities. Several hiking, walking, biking groups. 50 yards from our front door and we are on hiking paths in BLM land which connect to trails in Tucson Mountain Park and from there into Saguaro National Park,

Lots to see see and due in Tucson and a number of good brew pubs, including Nimbus, Bario, and Thunder Canyon.

Fiesta Grande in Casa Grande Arizona fits the bill.

There is an active hiking club, Texas holdem poker, Zumba, Water aerobics, Yoga, competitive softball, pickle ball. Shopping a good walk away. But we are all over 55

Apache Junction is beautiful, and very popular. Lots of hiking trails and interesting history. Fairly short drive to Vegas, Lake Powell, and all the things to do around the Phoenix area.

Search Arizona.

Why not plan on stay 2-4 weeks at different places throughout Arizona to get a feel for the state. Two areas for wineries, Oak Creek Canyon area (near Sedona) and down near Wilcox (off of I-10 west of the New Mexico border) loads of areas for hiking in the desert. Lots of good state parks and in the Phoenix area some wonderful county Parks. Most of those have 14 days limits and are just water/electric with dumps at the park. And the Cal-Am parks (several in the Phoenix area) often are open to Passport America members for 1 week stays, sort of a try and see if you like us, so you can get an idea of what they have to offer.

We like the Mesa area, lots of good shopping, restaurants, arts centers, concerts, etc., plus we are 15-20 minutes from being out in the middle of the desert for outdoor activity.

Barb

We have found that Yuma would meet most of your requirements. Definitely a younger crowd and the prices are MUCH less than Florida. An easy day trip from here to San Diego or Phoenix with all their cultural activities, yet you live in a rural setting. Lots of history in this area and a multitude of hiking trails.

We are just east of Yuma in Wellton and love the small community atmosphere, yet are in what I would call a 4 star park with lot of amenities and activities that are NOT your typical "blue hair" type of activities. We have a large Canadian population and the median age is probably in the mid to upper 60's. Great area.