North Scottsdale

North Scottsdale Life

North Scottsdale affords visitors and residents a uniquely pristine Sonoran Desert experience.  Find your perfect oasis and enjoy cooler temps. Bask in quietly camouflaged, artfully-designed world-class resorts and upscale golf communities of casual luxury, honoring the confluence of humanity and desert. Upscale amenities are many here too, as are schools, worship and much more.

North Scottsdale Communities

This land began as cattle ranches in the 1900’s. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, it morphed into spectacular master-planned communities featuring golf and other sports and activities. Meandering from North to South are:

• Desert Mountain, Mirabel, Legend Trail, Troon North, & Estancia
• The Boulders, Terravita, & Whisper Rock
• Desert Highlands, Pinnacle Peak (Estates, Shadows, Heights), DC Ranch, Grayhawk, McDowell Mountain Ranch
• Desert Ridge

There are also horse properties and homes with acreage for those seeking a more private and quiet desert existence, outside of a developed community.

Here are N. Scottsdale Housing Stats for your review.

Map of North Scottsdale

North Scottsdale Homes for Sale: Select Listings

North Scottsdale — A Desert Jewel

You’ll be in daily awe — surrounded by striking arrays of mountain and valley vistas, replete with sunrises, sunsets, and star-gazing. Cacti, wildflower and wildlife sightings — unrivaled anywhere else in the world are here.

Rare desert rainstorms, the summer monsoon season — and occasionally snow — are epic sights. If you’ve never smelled the desert after rain (or snow,) you’re in for a treat! 

This stunning desert backdrop of wide-open spaces is ideal for an active lifestyle or simply relaxing in a slower-paced atmosphere. Invigorate your healthy lifestyle with bicycling, hiking, mountain climbing, walking and horseback riding.

Golf on championship courses.  Tennis, pickleball, swimming, and other outdoor activities abound. Motorcycling — Cave Creek’s calling all bikers — and nearby boating are at your leisure too!

Get an early start during the hot summer months or enjoy all-day sun in our breathtaking, sunny and temperate winters. Be sure to protect yourself, loved ones, and pets in our arid environs, including pools and vehicles.

Pinnacle Peak Park and McDowell Sonoran Preserve

You can’t miss the two imposing North Scottsdale landmarks of Pinnacle Peak and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The good news is that they are also parks, so you can get up close. Learn all about the stewardship of the Preserve too. Entry is easy and there are miles of trails to explore. You’ll also find nice amenities and Accessible trails, so all can enjoy the beauty of our rugged desert! Here’s my post for trails and paths, including these tables of choices:

McDowell Sonoran Desert Preserve Trailheads – Table from North to South

This table includes all trails — the major ones like Pinnacle Peak and the Sonoran Preserve — plus the minor trails for all levels:

Scottsdale’s Paths and Trails – Table from North to South

Here’s my Parks | Rec post help you navigate the many park options to choose from, whether desert or greener, traditional options to play. They include the parks, trails, links and amenities.

North Scottsdale Golf

The main attraction in North Scottsdale is golf! Here’s everything you need to know to get your desert game on: Scottsdale golf and a table of golf from North to South.

Included are clubs and courses for public, private, and resort play. Check out my Kierland post featuring the resort and its Scottish golf experience.

Tennis and Pickleball

North Scottsdale serves up world-class tennis in court sport clubs and programs in private communities, including pickleball. Many other options for pickleball and tennis exist too, plus squash and racquetball — on public courts and resort facilities. Here’s my blog on racquet court sports that includes tables from N to S!

The Great In-and-Out Doors

The North Forty are great for escaping the big city and still having all the good stuff nearby. Very nice local shopping and dining gems are here to explore. You’re also close to all the essentials like healthcare, schools and services that makes life here very good.

Neighborhood Shopping and Dining

There are 3 big outdoor mall players for Upscale Shopping in N. Scottsdale. Walk and shop until you drop, eat, drink, play — and people watch! Bring your leashed pups — yep, it’s gone to the dogs! Note that each retailer has its own pet policy.

There is also an abundance of local neighborhood shopping, dining  and other necessary provisions for residents and visitors, including: Kierland Village Center, Scottsdale Town Square, The Plaza, The Shops at Zocallo, and others. Here’s a table of some options — there are so many choices!

Choose from high-end selections of gourmet food, baked goods, and fine spirits with N. Scottsdale Upscale Grocery Shopping:

• Whole Foods Market
• AJ’s Fine Foods – 4 locations in N. Scottsdale!
• Trader Joe’s
• The Caspian Food Market, Middle Eastern Market

Seeking something way off the beaten path? The eclecticism of Carefree and Cave Creek is not to be missed — indoors and out.

Feel like seeing those city lights up close? Gussy up — or not — head South and kick up your heels! And come home to quiet. Here are more sights to see: and centers for services and work:

• The Arts Scene
• Western Museum
• Fashion Square

Working in North Scottsdale

Here’s my Work post with companies and jobs throughout Scottsdale, including tables by sector and career pages. I’ve also written posts on the nearby Airpark and Cure Corridor, both providing exceptional opportunities for your growth and success.

Check Out Your Local Library

No community is complete without a library, and North Scottsdale’s are the Appaloosa Branch, more northern and the Arabian Branch, more southern. 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

North Scottsdale offers a high caliber of both public, charter and private schools, for K-12 education. Far North Scottsdale high school students might head to the Cave Creek District. 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 segmented by community, with links to each school and other important details

• Scottsdale Public Schools

Faith Places in North Scottsdale

There are many places to worship in North Scottsdale — here’s my blog. There are also separate tables for each type of faith:

• Churches in North Scottsdale, Table from North to South
• Temples, Congregations, Centers and Synagogues in Scottsdale

Wrap-Up

There is no more beautiful desert than the Sonoran in North Scottsdale to visit or make home. The still wide open, quieter spaces in the far North contrast with the amenities and high-rise living to the South.

Whichever part of this area suits you, you’ll find the best of living and every amenity and necessity your heart desires.

Thank you for touring North Scottsdale with me!