PERFECT ARIZONA...(does it exist ?)

[Ken in Anaheim]

All you folks that have traveled AZ hi and lo....have you found anywhere that has "moderate" weather year round ? By "moderate" i mean mild winters. MILD summers. It would be nice to have a "base" city to either travel from or settle into when it's time to hang up your saddle.
KinA

 

[Almost There]

You can find that 'perfect' climate within a radius of about 250 miles but not all in one spot.

Arizona is a state of contrast and elevation changes[- Yuma/Quartzite/Ehrenberg are at about sea level so they stay fairly warm in the winter - note I said 'fairly'... Within a couple of hours drive you have areas like Cottonwood that are at 3000' so they're good places when sea level areas start heating up in the spring and higher elevations start cooling down in the fall. Flagstaff is at 7000' so it stays relatively comfortable in the summer but has a real winter complete with snow etc.

There really isn't one place that has it all so some people who want to travel very little for any reason can simply stay within that radius and float around. The most moderate places are going to be somewhere around the 4,000' mark but unless it's forested AND gets a breeze a lot of the summer, it's still going to be colder in the winter and hotter in the summer.

 

[deadwood]

We have it but we call it San Diego

 

[akrvbob]

If you are willing to fudge on the idea of "mild", I think Prescott is the nearest to a true all-season place in Arizona.

 

[highdesertranger]

although not in Arizona I would say Anaheim. highdesertranger

 

[jimindenver]

Should Prescott at least stay survivable year round that would be ideal. Homebase there and float the area for the comfortable temperatures.

 

[Gideon33w]

SOUTH! - Head to the Arizona high desert. Check out: Sierra Vista, Hereford, Palominas, Tombstone (Yes, that one), Bisbee and all the surrounding mountains.

MUCH more temperate climate. Summers dont hit triple digits and winter cold snaps are rare. If it is STILL too warm just head into the mountains. Everything is ringed by mountains so there is lots of cooler air flowing down and some very nice places to make camp if that is more your speed.

 

[Van Lady]

Follow the path of the Native Americans of old as they moved in elevation through the seasons as described above. You cannot beat AZ.
I would agree about San Diego, as long as you stay close to the water, but you must be willing to be elbow to elbow with millions of other people!