Road trip from San Diego to Scottsdale
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ITINERARY
7h 7m376 miles9 stops
1
Sonora Desert National Monument
2
Whirlwind Golf Club
Whirlwind Golf Club is truly a unique southwest golf experience. The courses, clubhouse, and practice facilities are sensitively designed to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Gila River Indian Community. Named for the prominent design feature of the hand-woven basketry of the Authum tribe, Whirlwind is the work of golf course architect Gary Panks. His design weaves the spirit and legacy of this ancient land into a marvelous test of golf. The Devil's Claw course features sweeping elevation changes and dramatic bunkering. The Cattail course complements the Devil's Claw, but lends a whole new flavor to this 36-hole masterpiece, with its rolling fairways accented by striking water features and deep canyons. Whirlwind promises a dynamic golf experience marked by spectacular landscaping, unrivaled course conditions, and genuine customer service.
3
Makutu's Island
Makutu’s [Ma-coo-two’s] [means magic] Island was called Club Disney - is an evergreen lush, exciting indoor “island” with towering trees, climbs, mysterious caves, a "bungee jump", a zip track, an arcade, a café, a special toddler zone and so much more. Our admission price includes ALL DAY fun (and it is not a trampoline park or bounce jungle that you need to pay by the hour). Makutu's Island has no affiliation with Disney. Even though the structure and design were done by Disney, it is now re-themed as Makutu's Island with our cute characters that include the jaguar cub Makutu and his friends. It is a unique tropical jungle themed as a Regional Entertainment. The centerpiece of Makutu’s Island is a magnificent indoor tree. The tree is filled with tunnels, tubes, mole-holes, and slides. Our facility offers hours of fun and adventure.
4
Southern Ridge Golf Club
5
Stand Up Live
6
Arizona Science Center
Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center has been a hub for science and discovery for the community and visitors. Featuring more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, a range of interactive online science content, the state-of-the-art Dorrance Planetarium, and the five-story Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater– Arizona Science Center offers programs for all ages. For further details, please visit azscience.org.
7
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
8
Troon North Golf Club Monument Course
The Monument Course, which opened in 1990, was conceived by legendary golfer Tom Weiskopf and Architect Jay Morrish. In 2007, the course underwent a major renovation project, led by Tom Weiskopf. An entirely new playing experience was created by exchanging its front nine holes with the front nine of its sibling course, the Pinnacle Course, and changing the sequence in which the holes are played. Hallmarks of the course include balance, variety and immaculate course conditions.
9
Wild West Horse Adventures
Experience the Sonoran Desert the way it was intended, on horseback. We offer private trail rides in the Sonoran Preserve. They are maintained to provide the most exceptional experience that you'll remember for a lifetime. Let's hit the trails!
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OVERVIEW
1
Start:Sonora Desert National Monument
Tucson, Arizona·
5.0
(2) review
Interstate 8, Tucson, AZ 85239
2
Start:Whirlwind Golf Club
Chandler, Arizona·
4.0
(94) review
Whirlwind Golf Club is truly a unique southwest golf experience. The courses, clubhouse, and practice facilities are sensitively designed to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Gila River Indian Community. Named for the prominent design feature of the hand-woven basketry of the Authum tribe, Whirlwind is the work of golf course architect Gary Panks. His design weaves the spirit and legacy of this ancient land into a marvelous test of golf. The Devil's Claw course features sweeping elevation changes and dramatic bunkering. The Cattail course complements the Devil's Claw, but lends a whole new flavor to this 36-hole masterpiece, with its rolling fairways accented by striking water features and deep canyons. Whirlwind promises a dynamic golf experience marked by spectacular landscaping, unrivaled course conditions, and genuine customer service.
3
Start:Makutu's Island
Chandler, Arizona·
3.5
(92) review
Makutu’s [Ma-coo-two’s] [means magic] Island was called Club Disney - is an evergreen lush, exciting indoor “island” with towering trees, climbs, mysterious caves, a "bungee jump", a zip track, an arcade, a café, a special toddler zone and so much more. Our admission price includes ALL DAY fun (and it is not a trampoline park or bounce jungle that you need to pay by the hour). Makutu's Island has no affiliation with Disney. Even though the structure and design were done by Disney, it is now re-themed as Makutu's Island with our cute characters that include the jaguar cub Makutu and his friends. It is a unique tropical jungle themed as a Regional Entertainment. The centerpiece of Makutu’s Island is a magnificent indoor tree. The tree is filled with tunnels, tubes, mole-holes, and slides. Our facility offers hours of fun and adventure.
4
Start:Southern Ridge Golf Club
Phoenix, Arizona·
3.0
(9) review
5740 West Baseline Rd, Phoenix, AZ
5
Start:Stand Up Live
Phoenix, Arizona·
3.5
(91) review
50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003-2321
6
Start:Arizona Science Center
Phoenix, Arizona·
4.0
(967) review
Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center has been a hub for science and discovery for the community and visitors. Featuring more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, a range of interactive online science content, the state-of-the-art Dorrance Planetarium, and the five-story Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater– Arizona Science Center offers programs for all ages. For further details, please visit azscience.org.
7
Start:Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Scottsdale, Arizona·
4.0
(95) review
9051 East Via De Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
8
Start:Troon North Golf Club Monument Course
Scottsdale, Arizona·
4.5
(96) review
The Monument Course, which opened in 1990, was conceived by legendary golfer Tom Weiskopf and Architect Jay Morrish. In 2007, the course underwent a major renovation project, led by Tom Weiskopf. An entirely new playing experience was created by exchanging its front nine holes with the front nine of its sibling course, the Pinnacle Course, and changing the sequence in which the holes are played. Hallmarks of the course include balance, variety and immaculate course conditions.
9
Start:Wild West Horse Adventures
Scottsdale, Arizona·
5.0
(97) review
Experience the Sonoran Desert the way it was intended, on horseback. We offer private trail rides in the Sonoran Preserve. They are maintained to provide the most exceptional experience that you'll remember for a lifetime. Let's hit the trails!
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between San Diego and Scottsdale?
The distance is 376 miles
What's the travel time between San Diego and Scottsdale?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 7h 7m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between San Diego and Scottsdale?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Scottsdale?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Scottsdale
What’s the weather like in Scottsdale?
The weather in Scottsdale is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Scottsdale in January
Weather in Scottsdale in February
Weather in Scottsdale in March
Weather in Scottsdale in April
Weather in Scottsdale in May
Weather in Scottsdale in June
Weather in Scottsdale in July
Weather in Scottsdale in August
Weather in Scottsdale in September
Weather in Scottsdale in October
Weather in Scottsdale in November
Weather in Scottsdale in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Scottsdale?
Plan your dream Scottsdale trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Scottsdale
A 2-day itinerary in Scottsdale
A 3-day itinerary in Scottsdale
A 4-day itinerary in Scottsdale
A 5-day itinerary in Scottsdale
A 6-day itinerary in Scottsdale
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in San Diego?
We have a lot of great trip options for San Diego! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you