What started with a frontline, healthcare worker discount to Marriott Resorts, came a jam-packed desert weekend getaway! Tay and I celebrated 8 years of dating this month, what better way than a quick road trip from San Diego to Scottsdale! With a similar-to-Palm-Springs vibe, we were so excited to pack up our summer clothes for a warm weekend in the desert! We were blessed to have sunshine and 80s all weekend, apparently rare for March!
Back in the unexpected rain in San Diego, sitting down to recap our weekend for you! I’ll share where we stayed, and a few other hotels we will consider for our next trip out there. I’ll review the list of restaurants we dined at, plus a few that we didn’t get to, but were in the line up! You’ll learn some fun activities to work into your weekend itinerary. And lastly, I’ll post 10 items of clothing I packed in my bag (*spoiler alert* 8 of them are Amazon Prime!)
WHERE TO STAY
Looking for hotels in the Scottsdale area, Tay and I wanted a spot in downtown – with a walkable neighborhood, a pool and deck to lounge in, and a space to workout. Maybe it was the bright while patio cushions, or just the big giant W sign attracting our Wilson family, but Tay and I decided on the W Resort in Downtown Scottsdale. We loved the poolside dining, Cottontail Lounge; and despite the crowds, we soaked up every ounce of sunshine that weekend by the pool. Right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, the W was walking distance to many of the restaurants we dined at.
Other spots we considered, and will keep in mind for our next trip out to Scottsdale:
HOTELS | The Scott Resort | Hotel Adeline | Saguaro Scottsdale | W Scottsdale
WHERE TO EAT
Our sweet cousin, Bella, a Scottsdale local, hooked us up with the best list of spots to eat! Thank you girl! We had no idea Scottsdale was such a hub for culinary creation, but oh were we surprised. Tay and I love to cook; and when we dine out, we write down dishes we enjoyed so we can try to make them at home. Some of our favorites? A trio of bruschetta from Olive & Ivy. A tossed quinoa, chickpea, and lemon salad from Cottontail Lounge. Skillet enchiladas from Blanco Tacos. And a limoncello + Topo Chico cocktail from the W Resort.
Check out our list of foodie recommendations:
COFFEE | Essence Bakery | Press Coffee | Lux Cafe
BRUNCH | Morning Squeeze | The Montauk | Arcadia Farms
LUNCH | Olive & Ivy | The Original Chop Shop | Cottontail Lounge
DINNER | Cibo | Blanco Tacos & Tequila | Pomo
DESSERT | Gelato Spot | Sprinkles Cupcakes
WHAT TO DO
The majority of our quick weekend getaway to Scottsdale was spent either stuffing our faces at delicious restaurants, or lounging poolside at W Resort. It was so relaxing to be out in the sun, whether that was supine on a lounge chair, or walking the streets of Old Town. To be completely transparent, we didn’t even get to the wildlife/hikes on our to-do list! Sharing them anyway, because they’ll be priority next time we’re in the area.
ACTIVITY | Hike Camelback Mountain | Desert Botanical Gardens | Papago Park
DAY TRIPS FROM SCOTTSDALE | Grand Canyon | Sedona | Antelope Canyon
WHAT TO WEAR
When I think desert weekend getaway, I think of light, flowy pieces in warm, neutral tones. A few bikinis with a lightweight coverup. A sunhat and your fave sunnies. A couple day time outfits – which for me in the second trimester, meant comfy tees, midi length skirts, white sneakers, and loungewear sets. I’ve rounded up 10 pieces I wore that weekend, 8 of which are Amazon Prime finds! You can shop this post directly, by clicking on the picture! Linked to my LIKE.to.KNOW.it account, where you can shop this post and so many others!
OUR WEEKEND HIGHLIGHT
Our highlight across the board of the entire weekend was meeting Brie McKinnon of Brie Film + Photo in the Glamis Sand Dunes of Brawley, CA for a sunset photoshoot. The Dunes are about halfway between San Diego and Scottsdale, so this was a perfect chance for us to see this scenic landmark! While we only spent an hour or two there, for a breathtaking sunset, you can spend the day riding ATVs through the dunes, and camp overnight nearby!
Check out some of the photos from Brie Film + Photo featuring Baby W, I was 19 weeks pregnant that weekend!
SHARE YOUR DESERT WEEKENDS WITH ME
Have you visited the Scottsdale area? If so, what were your highlights? Where else have you fallen in love with a desert weekend? Share in the comments below, let’s connect on Instagram.
