Casa Grande sits in the quiet farming desert between Phoenix and Tucson — far enough out for big-sky sunsets and quiet evenings, close enough in that day trips don't take all day. Pack a lunch, hit the road, and you can be hiking, museum-hopping, or cheering on a ballgame before noon. Note: we are in a rural setting, so occasional rural agricultural smells may drift through depending on the wind.
Below you'll find some of our residents' favorite day trips, organized by interest. Tell us what you love and we'll point you to even more.
The Sonoran Desert is one of the most biologically diverse deserts on earth — and you've got front-row seats.
Picacho Peak State Park
The famous pointed peak you spot from I-10. Wildflowers in spring, great hikes, and a Civil War battlefield to boot.
Photo: ksblack99, public domain
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Saguaro National Park
Two districts flanking Tucson, both packed with the namesake giants. Drive the loop or hike in for a few hours.
Photo: NPS / Hannah Schwalbe, public domain
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Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix)
50+ acres of curated desert plants in Papago Park, plus seasonal art installations.
Photo: Bigmacthealmanac, CC0
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Sabino Canyon
A lush canyon on the Tucson side of the Catalinas — easy tram rides or longer trail options.
Photo: Jon Abbott, CC BY 2.5
Visit websiteArizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Part zoo, part botanical garden, part natural history museum — an unforgettable Tucson-area introduction to the desert. Famous for its hummingbird aviary, mountain-lion exhibit, and acres of native plants.
Visit websiteCasa Grande Mountain
A local favorite right in town. Trails for every fitness level and panoramic views over the valley.
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Carnival of Illusion
An intimate Phoenix magic show that feels like vintage parlor entertainment — a resident favorite.
Photo courtesy of Carnival of Illusion, used with permission
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Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright's desert masterpiece in Scottsdale — beautiful architecture and engaging tours.
Photo: Jwagg0309, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Dwarf Car Museum
Quirky, lovable, and just down the road. Hand-built scale cars by Ernie Adams, right here in Maricopa.
Photo courtesy of the Dwarf Car Museum, used with permission
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Heard Museum (Phoenix)
One of the country's finest collections of American Indian art and culture.
Photo: Yassie, CC BY-SA 3.0
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4th Avenue (Tucson)
Eclectic shops, restaurants, and a famous street fair if your timing's right.
Photo: InSapphoWeTrust, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
The largest known Ancestral Sonoran Desert People structure in North America — just up the road in Coolidge.
Photo: NPS / Hannah Schwalbe, public domain
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Mission San Xavier del Bac
“The White Dove of the Desert” — a stunning 18th-century mission south of Tucson, still in active use.
Photo: Philcomanforterie, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Old Tucson
A storied film location turned western experience, with shows, rides, and movie history.
Photo courtesy of Old Tucson, used with permission
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Pioneer Living History Museum
Take a walk through Arizona territorial life north of Phoenix — costumed interpreters and original buildings.
Photo: Marine 69-71, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Hi Jolly Monument & AZ History
Quirky roadside history and small-town museums — perfect for a leisurely day out.
Photo: sonora ortiz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visit websiteFlorence Historic District
One of Arizona's oldest towns, with a walkable historic main street and small museums.
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Tucson Speedway
Local short-track racing with a strong community following — a different kind of evening out.
Photo courtesy of Tucson Speedway, used with permission
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Phoenix Suns & Coyotes
Catch an NBA or NHL game when the schedule lines up with your visit.
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Hiking the Valley
Camelback, South Mountain, Piestewa Peak in Phoenix; Sabino, Tumamoc, the Catalinas in Tucson.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Visit websiteCactus League Spring Training
Major-league baseball spring training across the Phoenix Valley each February and March — bring the sunscreen.
Visit websiteTubing the Salt River
Summer-only, but a treasured Phoenix tradition — float, drift, and cool off.
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Biosphere 2
A bucket-list science experience in Oracle — tour the original sealed habitats and current research areas.
Photo: Jesuiseduardo, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Pima Air & Space Museum
One of the largest aerospace museums in the world, plus tours of the famous “boneyard.”
Photo: Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Arizona Science Center (Phoenix)
Hands-on exhibits, planetarium shows, and visiting features in downtown Phoenix.
Photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Kitt Peak Observatory
Stargazing in some of the country's darkest skies — book a night program in advance.
Photo: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/T. Slovinsky, CC BY 4.0
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Titan Missile Museum
A Cold War-era ICBM silo preserved in time — an eye-opening tour just south of Tucson.
Photo: Jeff A. Goldberg, public domain
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Musical Instrument Museum
A Phoenix gem — instruments and music from nearly every country on earth, beautifully curated.
Photo: Ri5009, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visit websiteCasa Grande itself has plenty to enjoy — and almost everything you need on a daily basis.
- Promenade at Casa Grande (shopping & dining)
- Casa Grande Art Museum and historic downtown
- Senior centers and community programs
- Medical services and pharmacies nearby
- Grocery, hardware, and big-box stores within minutes
- Easy I-10 access for quick trips in any direction
Less than three miles from RoVer's Roost sits Francisco Grande, a full-service hotel and sports resort with a championship golf course, a lounge named for John Wayne, and a story that goes back to the San Francisco Giants.
Stellar golf
The par-72 course stretches 7,545 yards, making it one of the longest in Arizona. Don't let that scare you: tees adjust the course down to about 5,200 yards, so it's challenging for low handicappers and fun for everyone else. Spread over more than 188 acres, it has lush fairways, more than 1,500 mature trees, well-kept greens and three lakes. It's also one of the few courses in the area that overseeds in winter, so it stays green when many others turn brown.
The John Wayne connection
John Wayne was one of the resort's most famous and frequent guests, and the resort lounge, Duke's, is named in his honor. Stop in for a cocktail and appetizers in a relaxed, casual setting, or try the lunch and dinner menus.
A home for the Giants
Horace Stoneham, the legendary owner of the San Francisco Giants, built Francisco Grande as a spring training home for his team. Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey all trained here, and fans came from around the world to watch the Giants play Cactus League ball, enjoy the golf and soak up the Arizona sun.
Sports today
Francisco Grande is still a training ground for athletes. It has eight professional-grade sports fields, therapy pools and a modern strength and conditioning center. According to the resort, 16 Major League Soccer teams and five international national teams have trained there. It's also home to the Barça Residency Academy USA, a soccer academy for young players that uses FC Barcelona's training methods.
Don't miss the pool
It's shaped like a giant baseball bat, a fun nod to the resort's Giants history.
Photos courtesy of Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort
Adventure all winter, peace all evening
Spend your days exploring, your evenings around the clubhouse, and your nights under some of the brightest stars you've ever seen.