Hotel at a Glance: Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort

Though it’s in southern Arizona, this resort owes its existence to the San Francisco Giants. In 1959, the team developed the property as its spring-training facilities, where players such as Willie Mays and Willie McCovey would hone their skills. This accounts for the “Francisco” in the resort’s name as well as the baseball-hat-shaped swimming pool. But nowadays the renovated resort draws visitors interested in a different sport: golf. The onsite course, designed by renowned course architect Ralph Plummer, was included in the San Francisco Giants’ original designs.

• The Duke slept here: The resort has been a hot spot for Hollywood types. Notable guests have included John Wayne, Pat Boone, and Dale Robertson.
• Room with a view: Each guest room and suite has a balcony overlooking the golf course and desert mountains.
• Fine dining: Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the onsite Legends Restaurant, which serves steaks, salads, and seafood.
• Golf in an oasis: The resort’s course is surrounded by more than 1,500 trees and three lakes.
• Driving time from Phoenix: about an hour

Casa Grande, Arizona: Mining History and Pueblo Culture

The city of Casa Grande traces its history to Arizona’s 19th-century mining boom, but native settlements go back much further. Nearby, for instance, you’ll find a 13th-century adobe dwelling built by the Pueblo people—now a national monument. Back in town, more than 50 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places include examples of Mission, Tudor, and Spanish Revival architecture. Today, they house an eclectic assortment of shops and restaurants.

Phoenix is a quick day trip from Casa Grande. Though the topography of the Phoenix area is all desert, it’s by no means desolate. Camelback Mountain is a designated city park area with scenic trails that wind past boulders and red-sandstone formations; climb to the very top for a view of the entire city. Or hit the themed trails at the Desert Botanical Garden filled with southwestern flora such as huge sonoran cacti and other moisture-hoarding succulents. Either way, plan hikes for the early morning or twilight hours to stay cool and to catch the most stunningly lit views.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.