Scottsdale is a desert city located in the east of Arizona's state capital, Phoenix. It is renowned for its spas, golf courses, and the TPC Scottsdale. Further north, the trails cross the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a desert landscape of hills, rock formations, and cacti. Nearby is Taliesin West, the former home and studio of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The historic downtown Scottsdale has buildings from the 1920s and olive trees from the 19th century. It is a center of arts and crafts and features Arizona-oriented fashion along with the latest offerings from Milan and Paris. The Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol is an annual month-long event that has been held in Scottsdale since 1954. Scottsdale Fashion Square is one of the 30 largest malls in the country and offers exclusive retail and luxury. In 1947, the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce was formed and Scottsdale leaders made a conscious effort to promote a special identity, linked to the Old West, as a reflection of the city's roots and as an attraction for tourists.
The downtown trolley runs through downtown Scottsdale, and the neighborhood trolley runs from downtown Scottsdale to the neighborhoods of South Scottsdale, connecting to the city of Tempe's own free public circulator, Tempe Orbit on Roosevelt and Scottsdale Road. Notable regional hubs include Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter in North Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Fashion Square in downtown Scottsdale, a major destination for high-end retailers. In 1999, the school opened a second campus at Scottsdale Airpark that allowed it to serve the business community and north of Scottsdale. Scottsdale has become a studio of contrasts, where residents and visitors can ride horses through the pristine Arizona desert in the morning and visit one of the country's best contemporary art museums in the afternoon.
