Fall Special Mesa Arizona - RV-Dreams Community Forum

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fall Special Mesa Arizona

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Coleen. I just went to Valle Del Oro website and enjoyed their video. I think the daily rate under their special is closer to $30 a day plus utilities instead of the $7.50 rate you mentioned.

Evin and I really enjoy Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. We spent two Winters in the Florida Keys at Knights Key RV Resort and Marina and the last two winters mainly in Arizona, often with friends we met through RV-Dreams or Escapees. Glad to have you back full-timing. We recommend RV-Dreams to everyone we meet traveling, especially the Forum. We started our blog, PUPPY PATHS (www.puppypaths.blogspot.com) when we accepted an offer on our home and made the decision to RV full-time. The blog chronicles our travels.

Last month we spent a week at three of Southern Utah's National Parks and the month before we were all over Arizona. For those who don't want to stay in one place PUPPY PATHS may give you some ideas of where to stay and what to see along the way. Evin have stayed in one area or park for the Winter as you suggest and have enjoyed it. We have also spent the Winter staying at a location for a week or two and then moving on. We have friends that live in Albuquerque and they spend their Winter's in Fountain of Youth, California. I have spent time in Quartzsite and Lake Havasu. Some Escapee friends just bought a home in Lake Havasu with an RV garage. Some RV-Dreams friends winter in Southern Texas and they have a blog I follow, www.travelwithwhippets.com. In fact, I modeled my blog after their blog.

We have been to two RV-Dreams Rallies and several smaller reunions. We have seen Howard and Linda at RV Shows where they were conducting seminars. We continue to see and/or communicate with friends we made at Howard and Linda's rallies or when visiting with them on the road in Florida, Michigan and Wyoming. Howard does a much better job journaling about their travels than I do. Bill and Linda N. will tell you I spend too much time posting flower photos. I'm trying to do better. Enjoy your winter at Valle Del Oro. Again, glad to have you back.

-- Edited by Steve C on Monday 22nd of June 2015 01:52:43 PM

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Steve,

That's $895 for the whole time you stay from Sept - Dec. All of the Cal-Am parks have specials for the fall (well most of the RV parks there do) because it is still pretty warm in Sept & Oct, they are looking to get people to come and fill their empty sites.

Barb

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

Steve using my calculator 120 days divided into $895.00 comes out to $7.45 a day. The special for this park is $895.00 from September 1st until December 31st.
Barb you are 100 percent correct it is pretty warm but the pool feels mighty good. :) Most of the social functions are indoors until it cools down. They provide an awesome Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with guests bringing side dishes and dining with 1500 of your closest friends.

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sorry, I thought you were referring to a monthly rate and that the monthly rate was different during other months. That is really a great rate. I will pass it on and think of going there myself. I paid close to $700 a month in Payson, Arizona last year, plus utilities. Glad it now clear and thanks for letting us full-timers know.

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

We enjoy Cal-Am resorts- but our favorite is Mesa Regal. Great energy, live music at the bar every day with dancing etc.
As you say, tough to get bored. But we won't be spending months in Mesa- we're the ones building a house (winter home) in Havasu 😊

Sue

Steve C · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Paul and Sue, send Evin and me some photos of your new home. We really enjoyed out time in Lake Havasu with you and other RV-Dreamers and Escapees. We met with a builder in Payson but still aren't sure. Again, thanks for the topic Coleen. We could stay in Mesa a lot cheaper than house payments.

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

All the Cal-Am Parks are nice. Some of them have a rate less than what I mentioned above. A few of them are located on Main Street in Mesa which has a good variety of eating out options some within walking distance.

Steve my sister-in-law lives in Payson on the golf course they have for about 15 years. We have been up there a good bit. We stayed at the Elks Lodge very affordable or was when we stayed there. They leave during the winter but love the summers.

Sue I have been wanting my husband to see Havasu. When I was growing up my parents rented a house boat for a week each summer. It is beautiful. What RV park do you recommend there?

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We will be just around the corner from Barb (and Dave) this winter at Val Vista Village (Cal-Am), but starting in January for 3 months. Family obligations keep us from going earlier, but I can't see us being in Mesa in September or October since it is too hot. Plus in September, October and November, there are many places to visit that still have good weather. We went fulltime to travel, not to stay put.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

October is actually really nice - we will get there about October 15th, and while the days are still warm (high 80s low 90s) the nights are just wonderful AND there is no one around. No problems parking, getting a seat at our favorite restaurants, etc. We really enjoyed it last year watching the area slowly fill. We will get there around the 15th of October or so and scope out any new breakfast spots before Bill & Diane get here. biggrin

Barb

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb have you ever eaten at Crackers on Iron Avenue in Mesa? It is behind a Home Depot? They have excellent breakfast. There is also on over on Guadalupe and Baseline that is also really good.

It would be nice to meet some others in the RV Dream community while we are there.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Best breakfast is at Wild Berry on Main Street just east of Greenfield. Yes, we've eat at Crackers, there's one on Greenfield just north of Brown - - sometimes good, sometimes not so much.

We'll be in Mesa from late October until April. Give us a holler.

Barb

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb I will certainly do that!

-- Edited by gypsymaus on Tuesday 23rd of June 2015 01:13:42 PM

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello there, was wondering, I went on cal-am sites and did not see any specials, I take it i'll have to call each one? We are interested in staying there, so your help is appreciated. Thanks, Michele

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok, scratch that question, I found where the info was, and WOW what great specials, almost too good to pass up!!

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

gypsymaus wrote:

Sue I have been wanting my husband to see Havasu. When I was growing up my parents rented a house boat for a week each summer. It is beautiful. What RV park do you recommend there?

If you are Elks members, the lodge in Havasu just added 12 electric sites, for $18 a night- a bargain.

If you want a resort, waterfront, Islander resort, but you will pay for it $$$.

the state park is nice, and is also on the water. Nice big sites, but electric and water only.

We are currently at Havasu Resort, but the lots are individually owned and you have to rent from an owner, usually monthly, in the winter. In the summer, its really cheap, lol of course, it was 122* the other day.

The lake is gorgeous and we are boaters at heart so its perfect for us.

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sissys it is a good deal. We made our reservation a couple weeks ago.

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

soos wrote:
gypsymaus wrote:

Sue I have been wanting my husband to see Havasu. When I was growing up my parents rented a house boat for a week each summer. It is beautiful. What RV park do you recommend there?
If you are Elks members, the lodge in Havasu just added 12 electric sites, for $18 a night- a bargain.
If you want a resort, waterfront, Islander resort, but you will pay for it $$$.
the state park is nice, and is also on the water. Nice big sites, but electric and water only.
We are currently at Havasu Resort, but the lots are individually owned and you have to rent from an owner, usually monthly, in the winter. In the summer, its really cheap, lol of course, it was 122* the other day.
The lake is gorgeous and we are boaters at heart so its perfect for us.

Thanks Sue!

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi again. I have been trying to get ahold of any of the tried individually and the Cal Am #. No response??? May I ask how you got your reservation? Thanks muchly, Michele

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

sissys wrote:
Hi again. I have been trying to get ahold of any of the tried individually and the Cal Am #. No response??? May I ask how you got your reservation? Thanks muchly, Michele

Hello Michele since today is the observance day for Independence Day they are closed. We stay at Valle Del Oro I call them direct @ 480-984-1146 we are going to be in sight 1749. You can pull up a sight map for each of the parks. We always try to face North which gets the sun off the patio early. During the summer they do have shorter hours during the day I think they work 9 to 1 in that office.

-- Edited by gypsymaus on Friday 3rd of July 2015 04:39:33 PM

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

And most are only in the office Monday through THURSDAY for the summer.

Barb

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yea, I figured because of the Holiday and all.. I did leave messages, but will try the early Monday. I hope to nab a spot, we have always said, wintering in Az. would be ideal for us. I know there are those that think it's too hot in Sept. but we just spent a month in Pahrump where each day has been over 100, so we're fine with those temps. Anyway, i'll let ya know what I find out. Thanks for the responses, and Hope you have a terrific 4th!! Michele

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Out of curiosity Coleen, or anyone knowing the Mesa area, Whats your take on Mesa Regal, Towers Pointe, and Val vista. We have looked at them on line, but what ya see might not be the same as in person, so any feed back is appreciated...

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Out of curiosity Coleen, or anyone knowing the Mesa area, Whats your take on Mesa Regal, Towers Pointe, and Val vista. We have looked at them on line, but what ya see might not be the same as in person, so any feed back is appreciated...

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have stayed at both Mesa Regal and Val Vista Village. Mesa Regal is the largest of the Cal-Am parks and is mostly 90 degree back in spaces. Val Vista Village has a variety of spaces, 90 degree back ins, diagonal back ins (which is what we have reserved) and two kinds of pull thrus, because it a combination of three parks. I do not know anything about Tower Point. All three are centrally located, with supermarkets and some other places within walking distance.

We did not like Mesa Regal, but we were also there in May. Others seem to like it in winter. We have stayed multiple times at Val Vista, and are about to spend our third full winter there. My wife is involved with the quilt group there and loves it. I like that it is centrally located and that many of the stores and restaurants are within 10 miles, many within 5 miles. If you care about activities, they both have lots of them.

Like many snowbird parks there are lots of park models and the management favors them over RVs, since they pay for their spaces 12 months a year. We reserve for 3 months at a time to preserve our spot, but if someone wants to put a park model on it we will have to move. There are pet and non-pet areas, though the non-pet areas are shrinking and this is causing some issues.

-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 3rd of July 2015 09:40:25 PM

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're with Bill on Mesa Spirit. We stayed once, for a week, and the sites were cramped, hard to get into and we found the people had an extremely unfriendly because we hadn't been there for 10 years. Val Vista has a different vibe. We like the Fiesta section - slightly smaller sites, but it just feels friendlier. And like the other Cal-Am properties, lots to do.

Barb

soos · RV-Dreams Family Member

we have stayed a half dozen times at both Val Vista and Mesa Regal. both are great but Mesa regal seems more active to us. they have a happy hour that is amazing, with live music, dancing, and a bar and restaurant., all at the same place. Best fitness center we've ever seen, and if you want quiet, the other pool has a hot tub, and is quieter, and has laundry right there. tough to get bored.

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

With all Cal-Am parks they well groomed and are about activities, sports and entertainment they want you to be having fun. Most them have morning coffees and happy hour in the evenings. Many of them are located in or near downtown area of Mesa where there is Camping World and places have breakfast etc.. Look at the arial shots on google maps of a couple of them you will be able see the layout and surrounding roads. I know Valle Del Oro has a virtual tour on their website.

We have a friend in the catering business in Mesa who we met RVing in 2009 and she recommended Cal Am and the park we stay in. Valle Del Oro is located at Ellsworth at the 60 freeway. The spaces are uniform and easy to park. I think all their parks have a Ranger take you to your site. They all also have a great work camper program.

-- Edited by gypsymaus on Saturday 4th of July 2015 06:42:05 AM

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well again thanks for the input. Think we may lean towards Val Vista. No one seems to know much about Tower pointe And Coleen, we are also interested in Livingston. Do you stay there much, and what are the pros and cons of that area? We have gone back and fourth with South Dakota and Texas as a home base. Well Happy 4th!!!!!!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have 'lived' in Livingston for over 9 years. In that time we have spent maybe a total of 20 days there. Haven't actually been in Livingston since 2011. But the whole town knows about fulltimers and so it make it so easy to just call, say you are an Escapee and need a question answered and you have the information you need immediately. Couldn't be easier.

You'll love Val Vista. We will be in Fiesta section, site 315 after October 15th. Come by and swap stories on the patio with us.

Barb

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

It would be great to have a little get together when y'all arrive.

Michele Escapees has a well organized park here. It is small town living but there is always something going on. They have deeded lots and long term sites. I am volunteering at the CARE center while we are here and have met some very interesting folks. The downside right now is they closed the Walmart here and the two grocery stores are very small. Needless to say it is very crowded and grocery shopping is a little hectic.

We are very glad to be here and plan to return whenever possible.

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Barb, we feel good about choosing val Vista, just hope I can get a reservation come Monday. And would love to meet you and any others that we seem familiar with. Thanks for info on Livingston too.. Hope to see ya!!!!!

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Coleen, yep, will have to have a get together, Have been peering on this site for some time, ya almost feel you know people!!!! As I told Barb, fingers crossed we can get a spot. More later, and Happy 4th!!!!!

sissys · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Barb, Update.. Got our reservations for Val Vista, sept.1 - Jan 1. So will look forward to seeing you!!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

You're braver than we are, Sept is just too hote for us in Phoenix. We will spend Sept in Sonoma Valley picking wine for the winter! 😎. Should be I. Our place about Oct. 15th, or earlier if it starts cooling off.

Barb

Edited to put in wine for wind. hmm

-- Edited by Barbaraok on Tuesday 7th of July 2015 09:58:41 PM

-- Edited by Barbaraok on Tuesday 7th of July 2015 10:01:23 PM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

"Sonoma Valley picking wind for the winter" If you want "wind", go to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Sonoma is for "wine". <grin>

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fat fingers and iPad 'correcting' to what it thinks is appropriate! You'd think a California company would go for wine when ever a w is typed!

Barb

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Midwestern meat market 4308 E Main has the best meat on the planet.

gypsymaus · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you like to explore here are some things we have enjoyed over the last 6 years.

As Mark mentioned Midwestern Meats has an excellent restaurant with wonderful desserts and a beautiful meat market. They offer discounts and specials on their webpage.

The Mesa Market Place is also a fun adventure on the weekends they have entertainment in the food court. Lot's of fun shopping too. :)

If you are a Birder or just love plants and nature the Boyce Thompson Aboretum is awesome!

Also a great ladies side trip is Kierland Commons in Scottsdale with a town square shopping experience and some wonderful places to have lunch in Kierland Commons or Brio across the street.

If you love New York deli's and awesome desserts Chompies Deli is a must.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

One stop each winter for us is always the Sugar Bowl, I get a Top Hat with Hot Carmel & Coffee Ice Cream!

Love Mesa Marketplace. It is almost 2 miles of walking if you go down each aisle and we always find something we don't need but have to buy. biggrin

And a must if you are in the valley for any time is the Musical Instruments Museum. Words can not begin to describe this one of a kind museum, but trust me, this is a MUST SEE. Plan a whole day for this one.

Of course there are also performing arts centers in Mesa, Scottsdale, & Chandler, several in Phoenix, the Heard Museum & Phoenix Museum, both of which are on the light rail line - so you can park in Mesa and ride to see them. The Heard is another do not miss.

Obviously, we enjoy the area in the winter and have lots & lots of suggestions for people.

Barb