Start the morning with a hike up
Pinnacle Peak. While the trail does have a moderate elevation gain of 1,300 feet, it’s still relatively short, at 1.75 miles each way. You won’t be able to climb to the very top of the mountain, but even as you make your way around its base, panoramic stops have stunning views of the Valley of the Sun.
After your hike, head out to
Scottsdale Quarter, a favorite north Scottsdale shopping center. This open-air mall includes both outposts of familiar brands (Apple, lululemon, Design Within Reach) and other brands you may not know from home (like Elan Style and Albion). Scottsdale Quarter also often has special events, like outdoor concerts or cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When you’re ready to take a break and get some lunch,
True Food Kitchen (located right at Scottsdale Quarter), is a popular healthy option. The menu changes seasonally, but whenever you visit, you’ll find salads and bowls that emphasize the best fruits, vegetables, and nuts from local farms. Vegans and vegetarians have a wealth of options, though there are also beef, chicken, and turkey burgers.
After you’ve had your fill of shopping, you’ll still have time to join one of the late-afternoon or evening classes at CIVANA before you leave the resort for dinner. You’ll be eating tonight at
Palo Verde, at the Boulders resort, less than a 10-minute drive from CIVANA.
The alfresco setting on the large patio includes opportunities for some wildlife spotting, as rabbits and quail occasionally wander by. The indoor dining room is a warm but restrained space with hardwood floors and furnishings in tans and taupes. The menu here, on the other hand, is the opposite of restrained. The Southwestern-inspired dishes incorporate flavorful ingredients from za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend, to housemade chorizo verde. Select a premium tequila from the restaurant’s many choices if it will add some happiness to your evening.