Peoria the place to check out!
Peoria Arizona, located on the diametrically opposite side of Phoenix from Scottsdale AC, is a fun-filled vacationland for the whole family. Lake Pleasant, situated on Peoria’s north side, is the second largest lake in Arizona and offers family recreational opportunities including RV accommodations, camping, sailing, boating, fishing, parasailing, scuba diving, wake boarding, kayaking, and water and jet skiing. Lake Pleasant covers over 10,000 acres, and is a holding lake with water coming from two sources: the Aqua Fria River and the Central Arizona Project Canal. It is managed by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Dept., and its Desert Outdoor Learning center offers visitors an excellent opportunity to learn about the Lake and its surrounding desert environment. The Desert Outdoor Learning Center overlooks Lake Pleasant and offers thirty different programs ranging from guided hikes to dinosaur history to desert life to stargazing. Lake Pleasant’s western shore is home to the Scorpion Bay Marina and Yacht Club, which offers both covered and open slips for your boat, a launch ramp, tram service from the parking area to the slips, and also a gourmet restaurant, bar, deli and store.
Pleasant Harbor, located on the southeastern shore of Lake Pleasant, is home to the largest marina on the Lake as well as a five-star RV Resort and Arizona AC repair. Pleasant Harbor Marina has facilities and offers rentals for every water sport imaginable as well as gourmet dining with lakefront vistas. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort has 254 complete hook-up sites, 40 partial hook-up sites, as well as a heated pool, spa, clubhouse, and access to the Lake for your own boat. Additionally, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers picnicking, camping, boat launching facilities, as well as hiking, swimming, fishing, bird watching and wildlife viewing. This oasis in the middle of the desert is open all year around.
Besides the spectacular Lake Pleasant, Peoria offers miles of hiking trails for intrepid desert explorers. Whether you and your family want to take a leisurely stroll along a river bed, explore the ruins of ancient civilizations, or tackle a challenging mountain trail, you will find the perfect outdoor adventure in and around Peoria. Peoria AC is also the home of the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariner’s spring training camps, who share the Peoria Sports Complex. Visitors can come out and watch the players practice, as well as participate in special family fun activities when the teams are in residence. The Sports Complex draws many tourists as well as weddings, festivals, boat tours, and business events, and boasts more restaurants in its quarter-mile than any other in the United States. Peoria is also host to special events such as its famous Cinco de Mayo party every May 5th, a celebration of Latin rhythms with performances of traditional folkloric dances and scrumptuous Mexican cuisine. Peoria’s All American Festival is held every July 4th at Mariner’s Stadium and features great country and rock music artists, as well as kids’ activities such as bounce houses, water inflatables, carnival games, food and fireworks.
