Drive north on Scottsdale Road (about 15 miles from Phoenix) through a beautiful, if disappearing, stretch of desert to these tiny resort-style towns full of galleries, antique stores, restaurants, and artisan shops—a perfect daylong escapade to the Valley’s northeastern outer reaches. Along the way, watch for the large signs on the side of the road pointing out various representative Sonoran Desert flora.

In late February, the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival attracts artists, artisans, and wine-lovers from across the nation. This drive is very popular with motorcycle groups, and on any given weekend (though not so much in the summer) the area is likely to be somewhat crowded.

Food and Accommodations

Don’t leave this area without stopping for lunch or dinner at El Encanto (6248 E. Cave Creek Rd., 480/488-1752, lunch and dinner daily, $5–16), serving what is perhaps the Valley’s best Mexican food from comfortable booths that look out on a Spanish-style enclosed courtyard with a pond, atop which elegant swans lazily float. Try the prickly-pear margarita— sweet and delicious with a perfect kick.

Not surprisingly, this mid-to high-end burg has not a few bed-and-breakfasts. If you feel like spending a few nights out in the semiwild desert, where it’s at least five degrees cooler than the citified valley and the sky is dark and starry at night, try Sleepy Hollow Bed & Breakfast (5522 E. Tapekim Rd., Cave Creek, 480/488-9402), offering two rooms and a suite in a beautiful desert setting, with a patio area with an outdoor fireplace.

The Spur Cross Bed & Breakfast (38555 N. School House Rd., Cave Creek, 480/473-1038, www.spurcrossbnb.com, $139–400) rents four nice rooms with outside entrances and has a hot tub and wireless Internet. Recreation Scottsdale is a bit greener th