Flagstaff – Southwest Mountain Living At Its Best
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Overview
The majestic San Francisco Peaks provide a dramatic backdrop for Flagstaff, a consistent candidate on lists of the nation’s most livable cities. Flag, as the locals affectionately call it, sits at 7,000 feet in one of the country’s largest Ponderosa pine forests, which laces the air with its sweet, fresh smell. With 57,000 people, Flagstaff is the largest city in northern Arizona, surrounded by plateaus dotted with pinon juniper, thick alpine forests and high desert. The Grand Canyon is its most famous neighbor, 80 miles to the north. Sedona’s fabulous red rocks are a half hour drive south down Hwy 89A through famous Oak Creek Canyon, and the urban banquet and international airport of Phoenix are about 200 miles south on Interstate 17.
Fabled Route 66 curls through Flagstaff, and the historic center has the appealingly authentic air of a Western railroad town. Since it began in 1876 when a flag was hoisted onto a pine tree to commemorate America’s 100th birthday, Flagstaff has charmed artists drawn to outstanding natural beauty, those smitten with the outdoors and the wide range of recreational possibilities, and people who choose the pace, benefits and genuine feel of a small town in the rugged and beguiling beauty of the Southwest.
Climate
Flagstaff boasts clean air, dark skies smeared with the Milky Way, and four mild but distinct seasons. It was the clean, clear air that influenced the Lowell Observatory (928.774.3358, 1400 W. Mars Hill Rd., www.lowell.edu), a preeminent astronomical research station where Pluto was discovered, to locate in Flagstaff more than 100 years ago. Today, Flagstaff has been designated the world’s first international dark-sky city. Plentiful forests, high altitude and low humidity combine to make the air clean and the seasons temperate. The city averages 288 annual days of sunshine and 108 inches of snowfall (=21.4 inches of rain). Temperatures range from an average low in January of 16 degrees & a high of 43. In July the average low is 50 and 82 is the average high temperature. Those who have lived in Colorado liken Flagstaff's climate to that of the Front Range cities like Boulder and Colorado Springs.
Arizona local climates tend to be highly corrolated to altitude so you'll see dramatic climatic differences in fairly close proximity. It's easily possible, for instance, to be skiing in Flagstaff (7,000') in the morning and lounging by the pool amid palm trees in Phoenix (2,000') in the afternoon. Sedona, at 4,500', is the center of the transition zone between the alpine region to the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south and only 27 miles from Flagstaff.
Attractions & Recreation
Recreation tailored to all the seasons lures outdoor enthusiasts to the Flagstaff area: hiking, golfing, downhill and cross country skiing, river running, mountain biking, and climbing. Additionally, the area also offers a handful of national monuments, and the most popular national park in the country. A sample of the recreation includes:
Arizona Snowbowl & Flagstaff Nordic Center
928.779.1951
Highway 89
snow report: 928.779.4577
www.arizonasnowbowl.com
At an elevation of 8,000+ feet, the popular Snowbowl averages about 260 inches of snowfall each winter and opens from December through April. On site there is a rental shop, 4 chairlifts and 32 trails. Just down the road from the Snowbowl is the Nordic Center for those keen to cross country ski. About 30 miles of trails wind through the Coconino National Forest. Rental equipment and lessons available.
Grand Canyon National Park
928.638.7888
www.nps.gov/grca
The rock star of the national parks, the Big Ditch, as it is wryly called in these parts, is an 80-mile drive from Flagstaff. The Colorado River streams for 277 miles through the park where visitors will find accommodations, restaurants, trails, exhibits and the grandeur of the park’s spectacle.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
928.526.3367
7 miles east of Flagstaff off of I-40
www.nps.gov/waca
A hiking trail leads to ancient cliff dwellings that are more than 1,000 years old. A thorough visitor center holds artifacts and educational displays.
Golfing
The vistas are dramatic, the temperatures outstanding to almost year-round playing and the assortment of courses—both private and public—are sure to suit duffers of all capabilities. Some of the better of Flag’s golf courses include:
Pine Canyon Course
3000 S. Clubhouse Cir.
2 miles from the center of Flagstaff
928.779.5800
www.pinecanyon.net
A high-end residential community with a private course with 18 holes over 7,221 yards with a par of 71.
Continental Country Club
2380 N. Oakmont Dr.
5 miles from the center of Flagstaff
928.527.7997
www.continentalflagstaff.com
The top public course in Flagstaff, Continental offers stunning view of the San Francisco Peaks, 18 holes over 6,000 yards with a par of 72. The restaurant Jotini’s overlooks the fairway and makes a great spot for a drink or a nosh.
Forest Highlands Golf Club
1 Forest Highlands, off of Highway 89
5 miles from the center of Flagstaff
888.470.4607
www.fhgc.com
This beautiful private enclave has two courses—the Meadow Course (18 holes over 7,272 yards with a par of 72) and the Canyon Course (18 holes over 7,000 yards with a par of 71), which has been ranked the top course in the state. Posh homes, well-tended greens and a stocked pro shop.
Pinewood Country Club
395 E. Pinewood Blvd.
17 miles from the center of Flagstaff
928.286.1110
www.pinewoodcountryclub.org
A course in a private country club that caters to walkers and is set up for both beginners and pros. 18 holes over 6,621 yards with a par of 72.
Culture
An annual book festival held in March draws literati and popular authors to Flagstaff. On the first Friday of each month local artists open their studios to visitors. The historic downtown Orpheum Theater hosts rock, folk, and bluegrass bands in addition to the bars and pubs that host live music every week. Additionally, these are some of more popular cultural attractions:
The Museum of Northern Arizona
928.779.1527
3101 N. Fort Valley Rd.
www.musnaz.org
The premiere museum for interpreting and understanding the rich diversity and history of the Colorado Plateau, including Native cultures and natural sciences. An outstanding gift store, rotating art exhibits and public lectures.
The Arboretum
928.774.1442
4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd.
www.thearb.org
200 acres in northern Arizona high country with trails, a pond, botanic gardens, lectures, concerts and presentations about birds in the wild.
The Museum Club
928.526.9434
3404 E. Rt. 66
www.museumclub.com
An official Route 66 Roadhouse listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this honky tonk log cabin has live music and stories from a long line of folks who have passed through to take in the kitschy memorabilia and to down a brew.
Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra
ticket info: 928.523.5661
www.flagguide.com/symphony
Housed in NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium, the symphony is a longstanding part of Flagstaff’s cultural scene.
*For a more complete listing of Flagstaff attractions, recreation and cultural listings:
Flagstaff Visitor’s Center
928.774.9541
www.flagstaffarizona.org
Dining Out
From steakhouses and international cuisine to greasy spoons and taco joints, Flagstaff has a range of restaurants, including half dozen top-of-the-line establishments. Some of the finer choices in town include:
Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
413 N. San Francisco St.
928.213.1021
www.brixflagstaff.com
The latest addition to Flagstaff’s high-end dining scene. A copper-top bar fans in front of an extensive wine collection. Outside, a small intimate courtyard and inside exposed brick walls give the restaurant a modern, urban feel. An extensive wine list and a menu that concentrates on contemporary American fare. Reservations recommended.
Josephine’s
928.779.3400
503 N. Humphreys Ave.
www.josephinesrestaurant.com
A longstanding fine restaurant with a substantial wine list (wine suggestions are included beneath each listed entrée) and a menu that includes filet mignon, salmon and imaginative interpretations of dinner classics. Outdoor dining in warm weather on the porch. Reservations recommended.
Cottage Place
928.774.8431
126 W. Cottage Ave.
www.cottageplace.com
Fine French food dominates the menu here in this cozy, elegant restaurant housed in a cottage on the edge of the historic downtown. Reservations recommended.
Martans Burrito Palace
10 N. San Francisco St.
928.773.4701
Run by two sisters and open for breakfast and lunch only, this funky slice of a Mexican restaurant serves large portions of Mexi favorites: rellenos, tacos, enchiladas, burritos. Splashed in bright colors and vibrant folk art, the restaurant is a favorite downtown lunch spot.
Karma
6 E. Rt. 66
928.774.6100
www.karmaflagstaff.com
Hip, boisterous and turned out with Japanese art and décor. Karma sits on historic Route 66 in the heart of downtown and offers sushi in traditional and contemporary interpretations and other popular Japanese dishes. Japanese beer on tap and an extensive sake selection.
Jackson’s Grill
928.213.9332
7055 S. Highway 89A
On the outskirts of Flagstaff on the back road to Sedona, Jackson’s has indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks pastures and an expanse of greenery. The menu is steaks, seafood and brick oven pizza with the standards all represented here.
THE FLAGSTAFF REAL ESTATE MARKET
While most of Arizona has seen a dramatic slowdown in real estate sales, the Flagstaff real estate market has actually been fairly robust - especially the Flagstaff luxury home market. Contact us for the latest market statistics and developments. Meanwhile, you can search the Flagstaff Multiple Listing Service and find properties matching your requirements by clicking on the "Search MLS Listings" button at the top of this page. Should you see something that seems promising, send us the MLS number and we'll give you the inside scoop on it and probably suggest other similar Flagstaff properties that we think are worthy of your attention.
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