Cave Creek: Where the Old West and Modern Living Meet
Cave Creek: Where the Old West and Modern Living Meet
Located at the northern end of the Phoenix Valley between Black Mountain and Elephant Butte, Cave Creek has a charm like no other community in the area. Even with thousands of new residents flocking to the area in the past few decades, the town has maintained its old west character along with a reputation for seclusion and affordability. Cave Creek provides the ideal locale for many Arizonans as it’s still part of an urban setting yet far enough away to give residents the feeling of living in the countryside. The town provides a bonus thanks to its higher elevation. Summer temperatures are often at least five degrees cooler here, making outdoor living more tolerable during hot months.
Variety of Lifestyle Communities
Cave Creek offers buyers many different lifestyle communities, ranging from cozy condominiums within walking distance to shopping that are perfect for retirees or as second or investment homes, to estate-style homes on ultra-spacious properties offering starry nights, spectacular valley views, and no light pollution from neighboring homes. You’ll even find a planned community, Dove Valley Ranch, built around a golf course with the same name, offering residences of various types. Buyers frequently get more for their real estate dollars here, particularly with single-family homes. Cave Creek also has a significant number of undeveloped properties for sale, making the town an ideal place to build a new custom home. Popular neighborhoods include Hidden Valley, Rancho Manana, Mesquite Ranch, and Willow Springs Estates.
A Mecca for Boutique Shopping
Residents have all the convenience of daily shopping in the town’s southern area, particularly along Carefree Highway, where you’ll find home improvement stores, grocery stores, drug stores, banks, and fast food establishments. However, the northern reaches of the community, where Cave Creek Road curves to the east, attracts locals and visitors alike with its boutiques and old west charm. You’ll find boutique shopping in several clusters, including Frontier Town, Las Tiendas, and Stagecoach Village, all having general food and fun, along with art galleries. Try some of these fun stores:
- Debra Ortega’s Native American Jewelry & Arts
- Happy Hogan Hut Unique Creations
- Suzanne’s Hot Stuff
- Cave Creek Candles and Gifts
- Cave Creek Olive Oil Company
- Western Delights
- Lazy Lizard
- El Pedregal Festival Marketplace
Food for Every Palate
Whether you’re looking for a western-style saloon, fine dining, or a trendy café, Cave Creek has you covered. Foodies will also find many ethnic options, including Mexican and Native American fare. Restaurants here serve some of the best and most unique food in the valley. Put these eateries on your list:
- Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse
- Tonto Bar and Grill
- Le Sans Souci
- Harold’s Cave Creek Corral
- El Encanto
- Ofrenda
- Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood
- The Horny Toad
- Indian Village
- Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue