Author: Melissa Larsen

san diego beach

Summer Vacation: 3 SoCal Family Stays

A beach day in San Diego is on the annual summer to-do list of many Arizona families. Here are three kid-friendly stays in Southern California that are close to the sand, have fab pools and offer just as much excitement for moms and dads as they do tots and teens.

Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen

Restaurant of the Week: Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen

Locally owned Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen is a household name in Arizona, recently opening its sixth local outpost, this time in Gilbert. Not only do families feel good about eating at Picazzo’s thanks to its focus on nutrient-packed, clean foods, but the restaurant is also committed to serving those with a vast array of dietary needs.

az ice cream

Top 5 Ice Cream Spots

Arizona is brimming with spots to grab a cool-you-down treat, but these five time-honored ice cream shops are tops when it comes to savoring a good, old-fashioned scoop (even if the flavor might be a little quirky).

date night

Unique Date Nights

If Netflix and take-out with your significant other is feeling a little stale, it’s time to spruce up date night. Whether you’re looking to work up a sweat, use some serious brain power or take in a history lesson, here are more than a dozen elevated date nights in Phoenix, Tucson and beyond.

barbecue wine

Barbecue Wine-Pairing Tips

If you’re not grilling this Fourth of July weekend, you’re doing it wrong. Jim Cunningham, general manager of Merkin Vineyards Scottsdale, provides wine-pairing pointers (spoiler alert: ice-cold sparkling rosé is the only cure for a 115-degree day) for your summer barbecuing.