If you're ever going to make the 400-mile transition from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles to the desert city of Phoenix, spring is the perfect season to do it. With temperatures hovering in the 70's and a warm desert breeze blowing across the landscape, it is a very comfortable drive. Speeding thru the Mojave Desert, wildflowers line the highway as a sort of yellow-flower road, guiding you to the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix's unofficial nickname.
Our journey begins in L.A. and ninety minutes later, arriving at the first pit stop, Indio, CA. The area around the I-10 freeway that exits to Indio is filled with major brand name stores and fast food restaurants. Be sure to stop in the giant Super Target there. It's everything Wal-Mart wished it could look like.
Back on the road, the next pit stop is close to the California-Arizona border, in the small town of Blythe, CA. Be sure to stop at the Courtesy Coffee Shop off the Jackson St. exit and order the Patty Melt with fries and blue cheese dressing! The biscuits are HUGE! And if you're stopping in for breakfast, the pancakes are pretty good. You can't miss this place, with it's huge neon sign and two palm trees shooting thru the roof.
On the final 150 miles to Phoenix, the landscape gives way to flat, barren monotony. The only thing that will snap you back awake is the Photo Enforcement Zones as you enter Arizona. The speed-detecting radars are hooked up to a series of cameras (similar to the red-light traffic cameras) that line each side of the highway at half-mile intervals. If you go ten mph over the speed limit (65 in the photo area), the camera will flash and you will be greeted with an unwelcome speeding ticket in the mail within two to three weeks.
You could literally drive right thru Phoenix in about half an hour, but I exit at 7th St. and head into downtown. The speed limit drops to 25-30 mph in the downtown area and there are traffic signs posted all over the place. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing. Parking prices range from free (on the street) to about $12 at the various parking garages.
As you make your way east on Jefferson St., one of the coolest things happens. Rounding the corner, a huge baseball stadium comes into view until you reach the signal and sit in awe at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, as it towers over you. The stadium features vintage baseball photos along the outer walk, a sports bar, a swimming pool and a really elegant lounge complete with a fireplace inside.
A few blocks away is America West Arena, home of the NBA's Phoenix Suns. This area is extremely congested with the parking structure literally piggy-backing the arena. Highly recommend parking away from here. Over on 9th St., is the Arizona State University campus, a modern looking campus with sandstone and brick walkways. As you make your way thru the campus, you can wander over to the Science and Heritage Park, where small restaurants and various museums welcome visitors.
My next stop is a small, but very popular pizzeria within Science and Heritage Park. Reservations are strongly suggested for Pizzeria Bianco, as the line grows steadily and the wait time can exceed two hours. A bar next door offers champagne, wines and a couple beers (recommend the Thunder Mountain Cream Ale). You can also order various appetizers while you wait.
Once inside the restaurant, the menu consists of two appetizers, three salads and six pizzas. Salad-wise, get the fresh mozzarella with tomato slices. The chef makes the mozzarella himself and it tastes absolutely awesome! But of course, the main event is the pizzas. There's the Marghertia, Marinara, Rosa, Sonny Boy, Biancoverde, Rosa and Wise Guy. There are various extras that can be added for toppings. The Sonny Boy is marinara, mozzarella salami and olives. It's strong and salty. The Marinana and Margherita are pretty good as well, but add the fennel sausage as a topping. The complete menu here.
The Rankings:
1.) Marinara (tomato, oregano, garlic) add fennel sausage
2.) Wise Guy ( Wood Roasted Onion, House Smoked Mozzarella, Fennel Sausage)
3.) Sonny Boy (Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Salami, Gaeta Olives)
4.) Margherita (Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil) add fennel sausage
5.) Rosa (Red Onion, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rosemary, AZ Pistachios)
6.) Biancoverde (Fresh Mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, Ricotta, Arugula)
Sonny Boy pizza - salty with bite!Stomach full, I had the option of staying the night, but car rental fees and hotel charges be damned, I needed to get my car (2010 Nissan Versa) back to L.A. After picking up some road snacks, it's back on the I-10, this time, heading west.
About the only positive of driving late at night, beside the lack of traffic, is the crystal clear desert sky. The stars shine so bright and the moon hovers majestically over the landscape. It took seven hours to drive back (thanks to the stupid speed traps) and when I arrived back in L.A., the early morning fog was enveloping the coast. Total mileage was just under 800 miles. Next time I go to Phoenix, I'm flying.
