"The Ultimate Guide to McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale | Living, Homes & Lifestyle"

by Pamela Torgrimson

The Ultimate Guide to McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale

"Discover everything you need to know about McCormick Ranch, one of Scottsdale's most sought-after communities, in our ultimate guide to luxury living, outdoor recreation, and vibrant neighborhood amenities."

Scottsdale is an incredible city known for its picturesque landscapes, year-round sunny weather, and abundance of outdoor activities, with a perfect balance between the peace of the desert and buzzing city life. While there are plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from in Scottsdale, one, in particular, makes it to the top of the list: McCormick Ranch.

McCormick Ranch is a very popular and highly sought-after community located in Central Scottsdale, positioned between East Shea Boulevard (North border) and East Indian Bend Road (South border). It is one of the largest planned communities in Arizona. At approximately 7 square miles long (more than 3,100 acres), it’s also one of the largest master plan communities in the nation.

Unlike other parts of Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch is very lush and green with many tree-lined streets, a mature landscape, and several manmade lakes, making it a true oasis tucked into the middle of a mountainous desert landscape. There are more than 60 different neighborhoods within the community to choose from, each offering something different in terms of location and home styles.

The community of McCormick Ranch has been around since the 1970s. Most of the homes were built in the 80s and 90s, are southwest-style, and have retained their original design, often featuring flat roofs and lower ceilings. Many properties within the community have also been gutted and completely renovated to give them a more modern flair.

You can find various types of living in McCormick Ranch ranging from condos, apartments, and townhomes to single-family homes and luxury living with large lot square footage. Since this is one of the most desirable communities in Scottsdale, there is a significantly higher price point for the homes in McCormick Ranch versus other parts of the valley.

This very charming and family-friendly community is home to over 27,000 residents and is a good mix of seniors, snowbirds, young families, and singles. McCormick Ranch is a safe and close-knit community that is well cared for and has so much to do in and around the area. With its modern amenities and natural beauty, McCormick Ranch truly has so much to offer its residents and is an excellent place for anyone to call home.

So, without any further ado, let’s dive into some of the best of McCormick Ranch, from its abundance of shopping, dining, and entertainment options to its meticulously manicured trails, parks, and golf courses.

CLICK ANY OF THE LINKS BELOW IF YOU’D LIKE TO JUMP TO A SPECIFIC SECTION:

Shopping

Dining

Things to Do

Parks, Paths, and Hiking

Golfing

Schools

Shopping (in and around McCormick Ranch)

There are several shopping areas right within McCormick Ranch, so if you live in this community, you will never have to travel far for anything. The five main shopping areas are Mountain View Plaza, Mercado Del Lago Mall, The Village at Hayden, Seville Shopping Center, and the Paseo Village Shopping Center.

Each of these locations has its own mix of shops, eateries, and other vendors, but for the most part, they all have a variety of fine and/or casual dining options, coffee shops, hair, nail, and beauty salons, and various other health, wellness, and pet care services.

While there are plenty of places to go right inside the community, McCormick Ranch is also conveniently located only a short distance from many other surrounding and popular areas for shopping, dining, and nightlife, such as:

THE SHOPS GAINEY VILLAGE

Only 5 minutes from McCormick Ranch, you can find The SHOPS Gainey Village, a boutique-style strip mall located at Scottsdale and Doubletree. Here you can find a Sprouts grocery store, a variety of clothing and home furnishing retailers, beauty salons and spas, and plenty of top-notch restaurants.

Scottsdale Fashion Square + Old Town Scottsdale

About 10 minutes South of McCormick Ranch, you will find Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square, which is the largest shopping mall in the state of Arizona. This top shopping destination has over 240 stores and restaurants, as well as a movie theater.

Old Town Scottsdale is a great place for boutique and luxury shopping and is known as one of the best restaurant districts in the entire state of Arizona. Here you will find more than 100 restaurant, bar, and nightclub options, multiple art galleries and museums, and 15+ hotels and resorts, all within a short distance from each other.

SCOTTSDALE QUARTER + KIERLAND COMMONS

If you go about 15 minutes North of McCormick Ranch, you will find Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons. Scottsdale Quarter is an upscale and trendy open-air shopping center with many great restaurants and shops, a movie theater, and a splash fountain for kids. Across the street from Scottsdale Quarter is Kierland Commons, which is another beautiful and high-end outdoor shopping center with a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops.

TEMPE MARKETPLACE + DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE IN PHOENIX

If you head about 20 minutes South to Tempe from McCormick Ranch, there is a nice open-air shopping center with over 100 shops and restaurants called Tempe Marketplace located along the Salt River at the Loop 101 and 202 crossroads. There are misters lining the strip to keep shoppers cool, as well as a splash pad and plenty of gathering places to sit and relax in the shade. Tempe Marketplace is very lively at night, with cozy fireplaces, live music every Friday and Saturday night, and many fun events going on throughout the year.

About 20 minutes from McCormick Ranch, there is another outdoor mall with fountains a movie theater, and live music every Friday and Saturday, similar to Tempe Marketplace, called Desert Ridge Marketplace, located just off of Loop 101 and Tatum Boulevard in North Phoenix. Desert Ridge Marketplace hosts hundreds of events throughout the year and has a couple of fun venues to enjoy right on-site such as Dave and Buster’s and Copper Blues Live.

Dining in McCormick Ranch

As mentioned above, there are countless dining options only a short driving distance from McCormick Ranch, but if you want to stay right inside the community to grab a bite to eat, here is a list of 20 local restaurants for you to choose from:

1) PHX BEER CO. SCOTTSDALE BREWERY & RESTAURANT (IN MERCADO DEL LAGO MALL)

This popular brewpub is a great place to go for tasty food, excellent local beers, and a fun and laidback atmosphere, whether you go for lunch, dinner, their weekend brunch, or a weekday “Hoppy” Hour. Their large dog-friendly patio overlooks Marguerite Lake and is positioned right off of the Scottsdale Bike Path. Some of their most popular menu items are the Pretzel Bites with cheese fondue, Al Pastor Tacos, Smoked Pork Shoulder Tacos, Black Iron Pizzas, Alaskan Cod and Chips, and a cold glass of their Arizona Gold beer to wash it all down!

2) YASUO SUSHI & TAPAS (IN MERCADO DEL LAGO MALL)

If you’re craving delicious sushi, then you will not be disappointed with Yasuo. This cozy and quaint restaurant is arguably one of the best sushi restaurants in Scottsdale. Yasuo’s sushi is very high quality and beautifully prepared, and they have great lunch specials Monday-Saturdays from 11:00-2:00 pm. Be sure to try some of their tasty tapas, such as the Grilled Octopus, Salmon Carpaccio, Seabass Crudo, or the Premium Tapas Sampler.

3) CRUST SIMPLY ITALIAN (IN MERCADO DEL LAGO MALL)

Crust serves simple and authentic Italian food, such as NY pizzas traditionally cooked in stone ovens, pasta, salads, and more. They have a warm and inviting indoor space and an excellent dog-friendly patio as well. Some of their menu highlights are the Spicy Garlic Knots, Fried Calamari, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Francese, Grandma’s Pasta, and the Long Island Special Pizza. Also, be sure to try their Fig Old Fashioned!

4) BUTTERS PANCAKES & CAFÉ (IN MERCADO DEL LAGO MALL)

Butters is one of Arizona’s best cafes serving from-scratch breakfast and lunch fare seven days a week. Their menu is huge, so your options are virtually endless, but some of their most raved-about items are the Fluffy Pancakes, Breakfast Skillets, Mexican Omelette, Eggs Verde, Cheese Grits, Corned Beef Hash, and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

5) Z’TEJAS (IN MERCADO DEL LAGO MALL)

Z’Tejas is a Southwestern chain restaurant with a menu full of many Mexican classics as well as a large margarita selection. Their outdoor patio has comfortable seating and beautiful views of the lake, greenbelt, and Camelback. Be sure to check out their Yuca Fries, Catfish Beignets, Nachos, Fajitas, Tacos, and Rum Raisin Bread Pudding!

6) GRASSROOTS KITCHEN & TAP (IN THE VILLAGE AT HAYDEN)

Grassroots serves lunch and dinner daily with a menu that features Southern-influenced American cuisine. They have an extensive menu of craft beers, signature cocktails, and wines, which you can enjoy at a discount during their daily “Social Hour” from 3-6 pm. Some of their menu favorites are their Salads, Hawaiian Sweet Roll Sliders, Pork Belly, Ahi Tuna Steak, Brisket, Braised Short Ribs, Dirty Orzo, and Chocolate Toffee Brownie.

7) CAMPO ITALIAN BISTRO & BAR (IN THE VILLAGE AT HAYDEN)

Campo is a chic and modern Italian tavern with a stylishly casual indoor and outdoor space serving dinner and weekend brunch. Pay them a visit Tuesday-Friday between 3-6 pm for their Happy Hour, where you can get a Margherita Pizza and a bottle of their house wine for $25. Some of their popular menu offerings are Calamari Fritti, Whipped Eggplant and Focaccia, Chicken Parmigiana, Homemade Pizzas and Pastas, Blood Orange Galvanina Soda, and Limoncello Margaritas.

8) AGAVE DEL SCOTTSDALE (IN THE VILLAGE AT HAYDEN)

This authentic and upscale Southern Mexican restaurant serves fresh, from-scratch cuisine and has a tequila selection that is out of this world. Whether you decide to join them for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or their Taco Tuesday, this is a spot worth checking out. Some popular menu items are Guacamole, Ceviche del Mar, Frida Kahlo Salad, Mole, Lobster Chalupas, New York Steak, and Enchiladas del Mar. Also, be sure to try their Tequilas Flights or one of their Mango, Cadillac, or Spicy Cucumber Margaritas.

9) ROCKEFELLER (IN THE VILLAGE AT HAYDEN)

Rockefeller has a sophisticated yet relaxed setting with a cute patio and a nice bar area. Their menu is pretty simple, with a mix of small bites, entrees, cocktails, and an expertly selected wine list. Some of their menu must-haves are the Oysters Rockefeller, Mussels with Chorizo, Shrimp Ceviche, Clam Chowder, Salmon Beurre Blanc, and Prime Filet, along with the Yorkshire and the Pineapple Under the Sea signature cocktails.

10) COLLINS BROS. CHOPHOUSE (IN THE VILLAGE AT HAYDEN)

Collins Bros is a modern and elevated take on a classic chophouse, serving contemporary American cuisine. Be sure to try some of the following favorites from their menu: Noble Bread, Spinach Dip, Broiled Oysters Rockefeller, Twisted Noodle Salad, Rotisserie Chicken, Prime Rib, goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes, and Butter Cake.

11) RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE (IN SEVILLE SHOPPING CENTER)

This elegantly updated Ruth’s Chris location has a spacious outdoor patio with a fireplace and is within walking distance of the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. While they’re known for their world-famous steaks, you’ll also find a variety of seafood dishes, salads, and appetizers on their menu. A few menu favorites, in particular, are the Lobster Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato Casserole, Sizzling Crab Cakes, and Spicy Shrimp.

12) WILDFLOWER (IN SEVILLE SHOPPING CENTER)

This casual counter-serve cafe is known for its high-end sandwiches made with fresh-baked artisan bread, soups, salads, and baked goods. This cafe is very spacious and comfortable with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating areas, and there is a large menu to choose from that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, a good-sized kids menu, and “Make Your Own Meal” options as well. Be sure to try the Mac & Cheese, Penne Rosa, Triple Club, Cheddar Braised Beef sandwich, and their fresh lemonade and tea selection.

13) PUBBLICO ITALIAN EATERY (IN SEVILLE SHOPPING CENTER)

Pubblico serves homemade Italian cuisine in a contemporary yet casual setting. Their homemade pasta is made in-house daily, and all bottles of wine are $20 when you join them on “Wine Down Wednesdays.” Some of their popular menu items are the Mozzarella Carozza, Shrimp Scampi, Short Rib Ravioli, Chicken Parmesan, Grilled Salmon, Strawberry Salad, and Wood Fired Pizzas.

14) TERROIR WINE PUB (IN SEVILLE SHOPPING CENTER)

Terroir is one of the longest-standing wine bars in the entire state of Arizona, serving wine by bottle and glass along with an assortment of pub fare. Their menu features a variety of appetizers, meat and cheese boards, bruschetta, salads, sandwiches and paninis, and flatbreads. They have a spacious patio with comfy chairs, and you can enjoy live music from Wednesday to Saturday.

15) TAZA BISTRO MEDITERRANEAN FUSION (IN MOUNTAIN VIEW PLAZA)

Taza Bistro is a relaxed family-owned restaurant and bar serving a wide variety of fresh and delicious Mediterranean Fusion food made from scratch. Be sure to try their Cyprus Salmon, Creamy Lemon Mushroom Chicken, Gyro Pita, Rice Bowls, Baba Ghanoush, and Bruschetta Prosciutto.

16) THE MICK BRASSERIE (IN MOUNTAIN VIEW PLAZA)

The Mick is a fun, energetic, and casual restaurant serving French Colonial-inspired shareable plates and a huge selection of beer and wine. They have a dog-friendly patio, and you can catch live music here every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 pm and Thursday from 6:00-8:00 pm. Some of their popular menu items are the Escargot, Spiced Meatballs, Vietnamese Pork Belly, Steak Tartare, Summer Flatbread, Compressed Watermelon Salad, and Panna Cotta.

17) NYC BAGELS (IN PASEO VILLAGE)

NYC Bagels serves breakfast and lunch daily and has a large selection of freshly baked bagels along with a variety of cream cheese flavors to choose from. Their menu is pretty simple, but some items that you might want to try are the Nova Lox, Cinnamon Rolls, Breakfast Burrito, Rueben Pastrami, and their other bagel sandwiches.

18) THE VIG (IN PASEO VILLAGE)

The Vig is an American-style restaurant offering a Southwestern spin on a variety of pub grub, has a good range of beers on tap, regular live music, and Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm. Be sure to check out the Blistered Shishito Peppers, Noble Pretzel, Pozole, and House-made Rigatoni.

19) LUCI’S AT THE GROVE

Luci’s is an eatery, coffee bar, and marketplace with a casual, fun, and inviting atmosphere and a spacious dog-friendly patio equipped with misters, heaters, and a fireplace to ensure that you’re always comfortable. This unique venue even has a great gift shop that you can check out while you wait for your food to be prepared. Some of their popular menu items are their Pancakes (with your choice of toppings), Acai Bowl, Turkey Lurkey sandwich with fries, Smoothies, Iced Mocha, and Pastries.

20) ROKA AKOR

Roka Akor is a contemporary and upscale Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant with three separate kitchens that are all on display in the middle of the restaurant, including their signature Robata grill and counter seating. Whether you choose the Omakase (chef’s selection), which is designed for the entire table to share, or just order from the menu Ala carte, it’s sure to be a treat. Some menu highlights include Yellowtail Sashimi, Shiro Miso Soup, Pork Belly, Crispy Tuna Tartare, Grilled Octopus, Sweet Corn Tempura, and Wagyu.

Note: If you are interested in finding a list of 40 dog-friendly restaurants in Scottsdale, check out this blog post to learn more!

Things to Do Around McCormick Ranch

If you’re looking to get out of the house for a bit but want to do something other than shopping, going out to eat, or hanging out at a local park, there are many other things to do right outside of the McCormick Ranch community to keep you entertained. From concerts, spring training, and indoor skydiving to mini golf, visiting the aquarium, or a night out at the casino, McCormick Ranch has great access to many local attractions.

SALT RIVER FIELDS AT TALKING STICK

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is a nice entertainment corridor that’s only a short 5-minute drive from McCormick Ranch, located between North Pima Road and the 101 Freeway. It is situated on a 140-acre site with panoramic views of some of the most iconic mountain ranges in central Arizona and is the spring training facility for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Outside of spring training, Salt River Fields also hosts many other events throughout the year, such as food festivals, concerts, special family outings, yoga in the outfield, and more.

THE ARIZONA BOARDWALK

Right across the 101 Freeway, just 5 minutes from McCormick Ranch, is the Arizona Boardwalk, which is a large, multi-level entertainment complex that features several indoor family-friendly attractions and a variety of shops, restaurants, and outdoor entertainment. It is completely free to enter the Arizona Boardwalk and enjoy its outdoor courtyard, and you can buy individual or combo tickets to the following attractions:

OdySea Aquarium – The largest aquarium in the southwest

Butterfly Wonderland – The largest indoor butterfly conservatory in the country

UFO Experience – An interactive UFO and alien exhibit

Museum of Illusions – An eye-fooling exhibit of illusions

Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs – An indoor interactive exhibit and educational center

Johnny’s Playground – An indoor playground with bounce houses and climbing structures

VR Extreme – Immersive virtual reality experiences and games

Laser + Mirror Maze

Cyber Quest Arcade

TALKING STICK RESORT + CASINO

Talking Stick Resort + Casino, located less than 10 minutes from McCormick Ranch, is one of Scottsdale’s top entertainment destinations. The resort and hotel feature many great amenities, including its luxurious open-air spa, three swimming pools with gorgeous views of the Sonoran desert landscape, seven different dining and bar options, and a variety of beautiful rooms and suites. There is a large selection of slot machines, table games, and 24/7 poker games at the Talking Stick Casino, and plenty of entertainment options such as comedy shows, concerts, and other nightlife.

IFLY INDOOR SKYDIVING

Just several minutes from McCormick Ranch is iFly Indoor Skydiving, a one-of-a-kind experience that’s safe for all ages. iFly’s state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels allow you to experience the sensation of flying along with the help of one of their professional coaches without ever having to actually jump out of an airplane!

Some other fun places to check out that are just minutes from McCormick Ranch are Top Golf, Imagine 3D Mini Golf, Medieval Times, Octane Raceway, and Mavrix, to name a few.

Parks, Paths, and Hiking (in and around McCormick Ranch)

If you’re looking for a nice outdoor escape to enjoy some fresh air, beautiful views, and other amenities such as walking paths, tennis courts, playgrounds, and dog parks, then you’re in luck. There are several great neighborhood parks located within the McCormick Ranch community, as well as a few others that are just minutes away.

Along with parks, there is also a wonderful variety of other recreational activities and outdoor things for residents and visitors to do right inside McCormick Ranch, including the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, Scottsdale Bike Path, and hiking, to name a few.

MOUNTAIN VIEW PARK

Mountain View Park is a 30-acre well-maintained park with tons of green space, a playground, a community center with after-school activities for kids, multiple sports fields and courts, and easy access to the Indian Bend Wash path. There are long and wide paths that curve nicely throughout the park for walking, running, and biking, a 12-station exercise course, plenty of picnic tables and shaded seating areas, a few water fountains, and a restroom on site as well. This park is a great place for sports, exercise, dog walks, and playtime for the kids on the newly renovated playground.

COMANCHE PARK

Comanche Park is a quiet, 11-acre park located in a nice neighborhood with lots of well-kept pathways that have multiple entry points for people walking and riding their bikes. There is an exercise course, a small playground, a shaded tennis court, and a basketball court as well.

ZUNI PARK

Zuni Park is a 4-acre neighborhood park with many grassy areas that are great for sports or playtime with pets. There is also a nice basketball court and a small playground for kids.

SHOSHONE PARK

Shoshone Park is a small, 3-acre neighborhood park with some paths to walk around through the neighborhood, a playground, a volleyball court, and a pickleball court.

MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK

McCormick-Stillman is a 30-acre railroad park that sits just to the south of McCormick Ranch, right across the street from Indian Bend Road. This one-of-a-kind park features a train that runs through the entire park, a vintage 1950s carousel, a 10,000 square foot model railroad building, a variety of shops and museums, and two unique play areas including a fully-shaded railroad-themed playground and a miniature Western Town play area. Admission to the park and the different exhibits is free for all visitors, and tickets to ride the train or the carousel are $3 each.

ROTARY PARK

Rotary Park is a small 8-acre green space in the Gainey Ranch/McCormick Ranch area with a playground, picnic, and grilling areas, water fountains, restrooms, lots of mature trees, and paved and well-lit walking paths, including a path that runs from the back of the park to Mountain View Road.

CHAPARRAL PARK

Chaparral Park is a large 100-acre park that runs along Hayden Road and is located just several minutes south of McCormick Ranch. It has plenty of open green space, playing fields, walking trails, a 10-station exercise course, a playground, Scottsdale’s most popular dog park, a swimming pool, a community center, restrooms, a fishing and boating lake and pier, and many other amenities. The playground is covered, and the 3-acre dog park has benches, water fountains, and different play features. The paved Greenbelt multi-use path connects with Camelback Park, Indian School Park, Osborn Park, and El Dorado Park, which provides several miles of walking, jogging, or biking.

Note: If you are interested in finding other dog-friendly parks in Scottsdale, check out this blog post to learn more!

INDIAN BEND WASH GREENBELT

The Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is 20+ miles long, running right through the heart of McCormick Ranch. It extends a bit further North past the community, as well as all the way to South Scottsdale, past Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, and down to Vista Del Camino Park. You can enjoy this beautiful and well-maintained multi-use Greenbelt and its many linked paths for miles and miles, surrounded by lush landscapes and scenic views.

The Greenbelt is an oasis of paths, parks, lakes, and golf courses, with a variety of restaurants, playgrounds, and public facilities for you to stop at along the way as well. Whether you want to walk, run, bike, or take the kids out for a stroll to the park, this famous Greenbelt runs throughout many of the neighborhoods in McCormick Ranch and features more than 24 pedestrian crossings, making it safe and easy to navigate.

HIKING

Even though McCormick Ranch itself is a pretty flat area, there are over 25 miles of walking, biking, and hiking paths and trails in and around the community, with easy access to more mountainous areas. The most popular hiking trails that are closest to McCormick Ranch can be found at Camelback Mountain, which is the tallest mountain in the Phoenix area. The best time of the year to visit these trails is between October and May.

The first trail is the Cholla Trail, which starts on the east end of the mountain and is considered the “easiest” of the two. The second trail is the Echo Canyon Trail, which starts on the west end of the mountain. Do keep in mind that both of these trails are rated extremely difficult, and despite their shorter distance (about 2.5-2.6 miles out-and-back/2-3 hours each, roundtrip), neither of them is beginner or family-friendly. (Dogs are also prohibited on the trails.) Be sure to get an early start, bring sun protection and plenty of water, and hike with caution.

Golfing (in and around McCormick Ranch)

MCCORMICK RANCH GOLF CLUB

It’s no secret that Scottsdale is one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the entire world. Located right in the heart of central Scottsdale is the McCormick Ranch Golf Club, and you can also find another 45+ golf courses within 10 miles of the McCormick Ranch community. In other words, if you love to golf, you will never run out of courses to play.

There are two unique courses at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club the Palm course and the Pine course both flat and well-manicured residential courses with incredible views of McDowell and Camelback Mountains. The Palm is an award-winning course, with 10 of its 18 holes being water holes, and the Pine is a great course that’s a little wider and more expansive than your typical desert course.

McCormick Ranch Golf Club offers three different types of annual memberships plus a summer membership to choose from. And, if you’re looking to improve your game, you can check out their Bermuda grass driving range which has a putting green and two chipping areas and is one of the largest in Scottsdale.

TALKING STICK GOLF CLUB

Just several minutes east of McCormick Ranch, on the other side of the 101 freeway, you can find Talking Stick Golf Club, which is two 18-hole golf courses with lush and wide fairways bordering Talking Stick Resort and Casino.

The O’odham Course (formerly known as North Course) has a low profile with broad and angular holes, and the Piipaash Course (formerly known as South Course) has raised greens and tree-lined fairways. Talking Stick Golf Club has some of the largest and best practice facilities around, featuring a 17,000-square-foot driving range.

CAMELBACK GOLF CLUB

Just 8-10 minutes west of McCormick Ranch at the north foot of Camelback Mountain is the Camelback Golf Club, which features two great 18-hole courses in a parkland setting. The Ambiente is a 7,221-yard course with rolling fairways, significant drops, and eye-catching elevation changes, and the Padre is a 6,903-yard course with multiple lakes, bunkers water holes, and towering trees.

GAINEY RANCH GOLF CLUB

Just 5 minutes to the northwest side of McCormick Ranch is the Gainey Ranch Golf Club, which is exclusive to members only, but you can become a member without living in the Gainey Ranch community. This 27-hole championship golf course is surrounded by beautiful views of the Sonoran Mountains and is one of the more affordable golf clubs in Scottsdale. It features three different courses The Lakes Course, The Dunes Course, and The Arroyo Course providing a wide variety of play for all skill levels.

STARFIRE

Several minutes to the north side of McCormick Ranch, just north of Shea Blvd., is Starfire Golf Club, which is a public golf course with 9-hole and 18-hole courses and a driving range. This well-maintained residential course is great for beginners and intermediate golfers, and their King and Mulligan courses offer just the right amount of challenge for people of varying skill levels.

Schools in and Around McCormick Ranch

If you have or are planning to have children and are considering moving to McCormick Ranch, one thing that might be a high priority for you is what kind of schools they will be attending. Fortunately, anyone looking to move to this community can feel confident knowing that their kids will receive an excellent education.

Scottsdale Unified is one of the best school districts in the entire state of Arizona, falling just second to Gilbert. There are plenty of private school options available as well, but here is a list of some of the public schools that you may choose for your children if you are living in McCormick Ranch:

Developing Minds Academy Preschool (in Mountain View Plaza)

Cochise Elementar y School

Pueblo Elementary School

Cocopah Middle School

Mohave Middle School

Chaparral High School

Saguaro High School

Rancho Solano Preparatory School (a PK-12 international learning community)

Is McCormick Ranch Right For You?

Many factors go into choosing the right community when buying a home. Sure, there are plenty of gorgeous properties out there, but what is the local neighborhood like? Is it safe? Is it a good place to raise a family? Will there be an easy commute to work? The reality is that not all neighborhoods are created equally, and some will be a much better match for your particular preferences and lifestyle.

As you can see, McCormick Ranch is a lovely and well-established community with a wide variety of nearby amenities and activities, excellent schools, and natural beauty, as well as convenient access to the wider Phoenix-Scottsdale metropolitan area. Whether you’re looking for your forever home or maybe an investment property, McCormick Ranch is full of attractive housing, well-maintained sidewalks, outdoor spaces, and a welcoming and close-knit community, making it one of the most desirable and one-of-a-kind areas to live in Scottsdale.

If you are currently in the market for a new home and are interested in seeing what houses are for sale in McCormick Ranch, reach out to me so that I can help you. I’m Pam from She Sells Scottsdale, and I’m on a mission to help people find their dream homes in Scottsdale, AZ!