Mesa is a city in Maricopa County and is a suburb located about 20 miles east of Phoenix. Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson, and the 38th-largest city in the US. The city is home to 439,041 people as of 2010. Mesa, Arizona is a large suburb at the eastern end of the Phoenix metropolitan area, just east of Tempe and north of Gilbert. Mesa stretches as wide as 18 miles.

Mesa sets atop a plateau overlooking the Valley of the Sun, the city gets its name from the Spanish word for “tabletop.” Few areas of the country offer this kind of beauty from mountain peak to desert floor with unparalleled access to one of the richest arrays of visitor offerings in the country.

Mesa has it all, history, arts, unique culture, wildlife and nightlife, all part of a thriving metropolis with lifestyle and leisure pursuits in high demand by visitors. Mesa is close to the Tonto National Forest and the iconic Superstition Mountains, but far enough to experience the wide-open and true Arizona vacation.

Mesa is home to a stunning collection of golf courses, superb dining and upscale shopping. The Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa exhibits dinosaur fossils and Native American artifacts, and the nearby Arizona Museum for Youth showcases art created by the young.

The Mesa Arts Center has fourteen visual and performing arts studios and offers classes on numerous topics. All these museums are great for families and little ones. Visitors can experience the area’s history and Wild West past at the Rockin’ R Ranch, where gunfights are staged and dutch oven biscuits are served.

At the Rawhide Western Town there are train, stagecoach, and mule rides. Other attractions include the Goldfield Ghost Town, Dolly Steamboat, Apacheland Movie Ranch, and the Superstitious Mountain Museum, where the legend of the Lost Dutchman Goldmine lives on.

Visitors interested in outdoor recreation can easily access the numerous parks within and around Mesa, which offer spectacular desert scenery. South Mountain Park, Papago Park, and Usery Mountains Regional Park maintain miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Lost Dutchman State Park gives hikers access to remote wilderness, with trails that wind into the Superstition Wilderness and Tonto National Forest.

The nearby Salt River is ideal on hot summer days for drifting the cool water. Numerous guides and outfitters provide rafting trips and rentals. If you’d rather spend your time practicing your swing, there are over 40 golf courses in and nearby Mesa.

Shopping in Mesa is a big draw. Dana Park Village Square covers 400,000-square-feet of upscale, fashion centered shops, and Power Square Mall features name brand values and bargain shopping. Mesa Riverview is the largest retail and entertainment complex anchored by the several large retailers and major restaurants. And of course, Mesa is a quick drive from Phoenix and other cities that offer fantastic shopping.

Within the city limits, there are over 2,000 acres of designated park land. The world-famous Superstition Mountain and Wilderness Area is just east of Mesa. Thousands are still in search of Lost Dutchman’s goldmine hoping to strike it rich. Many still find openly exposed arrowheads and pieces of pottery left by ancient Indian tribes that inhabited the area.

The city’s downtown is a vibrant epicenter with boutiques, antique shops, museums, studios and cafes – all anchored by Mesa Arts Center.

Mesa hotels are scattered about but mostly located in West Mesa. Great restaurants are found all throughout town as well, but the best are usually located in shopping districts and malls.

This city has a wealth of beauty that is made possible by both man and mother nature. There are a huge number of historic properties and houses throughout the area. Although Mesa is primarily residential and lacks a major downtown area, it is a popular destination for shopping, the arts, golf, several local attractions, and access to the outdoors.

Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Mesa is a playground for outdoor recreation, with convenient access to three lakes, two rivers and endless hiking trails.

With 313 days of sunshine a year provides great weather. Winter temperatures range from highs in the upper 60s to lows in the upper 30s. Summer average temperatures range from lows in the mid 70s to highs just over 100 degrees. You should visit, but if you do you will want to live here!