icebergOkay, Arizona natives, does it get any hotter than the summer of 2016? The past few months have been sweltering across much of Arizona, and we’re not alone, NASA states 2016 has proven to be one of the hottest summers on record. Yes, we know the Earth spins and moves around the Sun, (and it’s moving fast!! at 67,000 miles (107,826 km) per hour, Whew!). The mornings are hot and the nights stay hot, thus making the days seem even hotter. So, what to do instead of complaining about the long hot summer? Go to a beach and jump in the sea.
Because being wet really does help.
If you’re going to be hot, personally I would rather be sitting at a pool bar in Mexico or lounging on a float in the water in the Sea of Cortez, sporting a healthy tan. Yes, Puerto Peñasco is still open for summer and the visitors rolling in are proving– it’s better to be in the water.
Resorts with pool bars report less complaining, as resort patrons sip their favorite frozen concoction in the pool or float around on a raft in a Lazy River. Some spectators note the visitors at the pool bar are not aware of the temperature at all. Smiles, laughter, and even real conversations are spouting from their mouths. Take a jet ski run on the ocean with the breeze blowing through your hair or jump on a banana boat and it is bound to be cooler than the Arizona desert. Yes, there is air conditioning for those who can’t get cool enough, but the nights and mornings are available for walks along the ocean and just fun in the water.
Six spots to stay or play IN Rocky Point with outstanding pools or beach access to the biggest pool of all: the awesome Sea of Cortez.
1. J. J’s Cantina- No you can’t sleep here, but you can stay at a house in Cholla Bay or even a little bed and breakfast. Check out www.vrbo.com Cholla Bay and www.airbnb.com and you will find many choices. The great thing about JJ’s (besides the fact, it is one of the oldest cantina’s in Rocky Point), you can eat, drink and then go wade out in the bay to cool off. Great place to anchor a little boat, throw out a blow-out raft and enjoy the shallow waters of the Bay. Tucson Beach is also in Cholla Bay, right around the corner.
2. Las Palomas-Summer rates for a one bedroom are approximate $200-$300 a night, depending on the unit. They sleep four adults or a family of four and offer a lazy river, swim up pool bar restaurant on site and room service. You don’t even have to leave the property. You can contact the property directly or get a 30% discount at www.vrbo.com/411888.
3. Marina Pinacate- This is a great little waterfront condo community with only 70 units, lower density, with a great big swimming pool, baby pool, and hot tub. Walk around the buildings for direct sea access or sit in the pool and enjoy the view. Stroll across the road to Max’s, perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or Skullyz sports bar with great bar food. Jillyz a sports bar/restaurant is diagonal, and the Peñasco Del Sol serves an excellent all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Never fear delicious ice-cold Ice cream is close by-Thrifty is just down the street, and Max’s has ice cream right across the parking lot. Go to www.FMIrentals.com or www.vrbo.com/431262.
4. Laguna Shores- Have you checked out this master plan community on your way into town? They have some excellent specials for weekday and weekend visitors. Visit their website for rentals. They also have an End of Summer Package Special: a free 2 night 3 day stay for first time visitors (requires attendance at a presentation and breakfast and a $ 2.00 a day resort fee). Certain restrictions apply call 1-800-513-1426. The property has a boat-load of amenities, featuring a 5800 sq. ft. infinity pool which looks out over the Sea of Cortez, a pool bar, restaurant, spa, cigar/ rum bar and estuary.
5. Enjoy September specials at Peñasco Del Sol Hotel. Book four nights or more and receive 25% off or mid-week stays include free breakfast buffets. Peñasco Del Sol has a swim up pool bar with a waterfall to cool you off at no extra cost and an inside round bar in the beautiful lobby called Chill.
6. Sonoran Properties-These 4 oceanfront properties all offer water front pools, three with pool bars and great views. A relaxing spa is available, and most have a restaurant or snack bar on site and all offer gorgeous views of the sea from inside the condo with the A/C on. Sonoran Sky, Sonoran Sea, Sonoran Sun, Sonoran Spa.
If getting wet isn’t your thing, then come to Rocky Point anyway, turn the cold air up and become mesmerized at the big blue beautiful Sea of Cortez out the window. Just staring at it has to lower your temperature.
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came…John F. Kennedy