Ranch Life in Central Scottsdale
Central Scottsdale is known for its desirable and green master-planned ranch communities: McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch and Scottsdale Ranch. These and other neighborhoods offer the best in homes, resorts and outdoor sports. And, vast shopping, dining, entertainment, excellent schools, healthcare and all services make it an unsurpassed place to visit and call home.
These ‘New West’ ranch communities were blazed from the trails of large ‘Old West’ cattle ranches dating to the Valley of the Sun’s agricultural beginnings near the 1880’s.
Villa and Southwestern style homes now blanket the area, many in gated communities. Golf courses, lush landscaping and lakes set this area apart from the desert. The exception being the eastern part of Central Scottsdale, with its distinct Sonoran Desert beauty.
- Ranch Life in Central Scottsdale
- Central Scottsdale Homes for Sale: Select Listings
- McCormick Ranch (c. 1970), Scottsdale Ranch (c. 1978) and Gainey Ranch (c. 1980)
- Central Scottsdale’s Arabian Horse Show
- Luxe Resorts
- The Great Outdoors
- Work in Scottsdale
- Healthcare in Central Scottsdale
- Check Out Your Local Library
- Pre-K through High Schools
- Scottsdale Community College
- Faith Places in Central Scottsdale
- Wrap-Up
Map of Central Scottsdale
Since there are not clearly defined boundaries, here’s my own map for this area. It includes N. Central Scottsdale, and the Shea Corridor, which extends east toward Fountain Hills:
Central Scottsdale Homes for Sale: Select Listings
McCormick Ranch (c. 1970), Scottsdale Ranch (c. 1978) and Gainey Ranch (c. 1980)
McCormick and Scottsdale Ranches
McCormick Ranch was a sprawling 4,236 acre working cattle ranch, where Fowler and Anne McCormick raised Arabian horses and Black Angus cattle. Following Anne McCormick’s death, it was bought for residential development in 1970. Scottsdale Ranch, never a real ranch, was a 1,100 acre slice of McCormick Ranch sold in 1978 for yet more housing.
Gainey Ranch
Daniel C. Gainey built his 640-acre Gainey Ranch in the 1950s. He also bred Arabian horses, raised Hereford cattle and grew crops. In 1980 Markland Properties bought 560 acres for residential development. The Daniel C. Gainey Estate Club sits on his home site.
Here are housing stats for this area broken down by zip codes for you to see.
Central Scottsdale’s Arabian Horse Show
With this area’s rich tradition of Arabian horse ranches, don’t miss our annual Arabian Horse Show showing off this regal breed each spring. It’s a spectacle of beautiful horses, riders and trainers. And it’s really special, even if you don’t think you’re in the horsey set.

All Arabian Horse Show, Paradise Park, McCormick Ranch, 1957.
Image courtesy of Scottsdale Historical Society, Scottsdale Public Library.
Luxe Resorts
Our world-renowned Resort Corridor began and looms large here, with a luxuriance of nearby lodging. I’ve prepped a blog and table of resorts from N to S, just for you.
The Great Outdoors

We have a great trail through this area that doubles as flood control for our torrential rains. It’s the Indian Bend multi-use path. A nearly 12 mile paved path with lawns and mature trees, is a nice respite from the desert. Enjoy walking, running, and biking. Or, horseback riding and skating.
Jump on or off the trail in the many parks that adjoin it. We have really nice parks and facilities, including those for dogs! Here’s my parks and rec blog for the full scoop. And, here’s a handy table of our Parks, North to South, including a table for Central, N. Central and Eastern Central Scottsdale.
Golf
Golf is the staff of life in Central Scottsdale! Here’s my spiffy golf blog and a table of all golf clubs and courses, North to South, including a section for our Central sphere of links.
And, the popular Topgolf with high-tech driving range is nearby at the Salt River Pima Entertainment Hub.
Racquet Court Sports — Pickleball and Tennis
Central Scottsdale serves up many options for pickleball and tennis, plus squash and racquetball — public, in private communities, and resorts. Here’s my swell blog on racquet court sports — you’ve got 2 amazing tennis centers right here!
Work in Scottsdale
Central Scottsdale has a robust business sector. Here’s my Work post, providing excellent tables of companies by sector, tables with career pages, and other resources for seeking work here.
Healthcare in Central Scottsdale
Central Scottsdale also contains an innovative healthcare and the biotech sector. The Mayo Clinic and Honor Health are world-renowned healthcare delivery networks, supporting the health of our residents and visitors.
Check Out Your Local Library
No community is complete without a library, and Central Scottsdale’s is the Mustang Branch. Head on over, get your free library card, and prepare for your mind to be blown! Books, events, and resources galore will take you to Scottsdale and far beyond!
Pre-K through High Schools
This area offers a high caliber of both public, charter and private schools, for K-12 education. Below is my blog about Arizona schools, featuring Scottsdale’s schools.
There are also tables from North to South for public, charter and private schools, to help you get a head start. They are divided by community, with links to each school, calendar and other important details:
Scottsdale Community College

A gem of higher education is right here in Central Scottsdale — Scottsdale Community College! It’s a first-rate small, close-to-home and online school. Students get a fantastic taste of college to go forth and succeed. I’m a proud Artichoke, with my SCC AA degree — Thanks Artie!
Faith Places in Central Scottsdale
There are many places for worship and fellowship in Scottsdale — here’s my blog of faith places. There are also separate tables for each type of faith:
- Centrally located Churches, including N. Central and E. Central
- Temples, Congregations, Centers and Synagogues in Scottsdale
Wrap-Up
Central Scottsdale’s ranch life offers every possible amenity for visitors and residents to fully enjoy our amazing city. From lovely homes, lush and desert landscapes, plus parks and a greenbelt for an active lifestyle. And, add in shopping, dining, world-class healthcare, schools and resorts — life gets no better than right here.
Thank you for touring Central Scottsdale with me!

April Halstead
Scottsdale Lifestyle Blogger
I’m a 5th generation native Arizona gal who loves showing and telling what makes Scottsdale an amazing place to visit and make home! I hope you enjoy our city through my lens, making your own discoveries and memories here!