To me, two of the sweetest words you can hear during the depths of winter are: Spring Training. Whether you’re more of a sporty spice type and follow a team religiously, or are just looking for a warm-weather getaway with your girlfriends or significant other — consider a trip to preview the boys of summer this Spring.

I believe that men and women enjoy sports very differently. That’s in fact the premise of my book Gameface, and our website GoGameFace.com. I maintain that men tend to be major stat-heads, while women tend to enjoy the action, drama and ambiance of the personalities, thrill of victory, and agony of defeat.

Now, in my many years as a sports fan, I’ve discovered a great secret: sporting events are a fantastic excuse to fuse your love of the game with your love of travel.

My annual trip to Spring Training is the perfect example. In fact, hitting the pre-season training camps can result in a really fun, action-packed vacation — whether you’re vying for Girlfriend of the Year with your significant other, or just looking for a great girl’s getaway with friends. (After all, the male-to-female ratio is heavily in your favor, if that’s your goal).

Some choose to go to Florida to cheer on their Grapefruit League teams, but since my sister and I root for the San Francisco Giants, it’s all about the Cactus League for us. And since we both live in New York, we start craving the Arizona sun right around the time pitchers and catchers report to camp. Perfect.

Here’s our guide to a great Spring Training getaway — Cactus League style. So get ready to sun, spa, dine, hike, shop, chill, oh yeah, and catch your favorite team in training.
–Erica Boeke, co-author of GameFace and creator of GoGameFace.com

Photo Courtesy of Erica Boeke

WHEN TO GO & HOW TO GET THERE: Spring Training’s “prime time” is any weekend in March. A Thursday to Sunday trip is the perfect amount of time. Fly into Phoenix, and definitely rent a car. There are lots of things to explore and you’ll want to be mobile. Actually, rent a convertible: the weather is amazing and you can work on your tan while driving from stadium to spa.

Photo Courtesy of Erica Boeke

WHERE TO STAY: Book a room at one of the area’s incredible resorts. The Sanctuary is über-chic, but The Phoenician, Royal Palms, Westin Kierland, Hyatt at Gainey Ranch and the Four Seasons are also upscale and perfect for a luxe getaway. The Hotel Valley Ho is a fun and hip choice, but the Mondrian, the W and the 3 Palms are the most chic new hotels to hit the area.

Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

WHERE TO EAT: Next, plan some fun dinners in Old Town Scottsdale — including the Pink Pony and Don & Charlie’s, where all the baseball types hang. Other foodie favorites are Cowboy Ciao, La Hacienda, Trader Vic’s, Asia de Cuba, or newish hotspot Barcelona. And check out the Scottsdale waterfront for some amazing restaurants along the Canal: Olive & Ivy, Estate House, The Mission, Geisha A-Go-Go (for mimosas!), Pink Taco and Canal. For some local flavor, hit Handlebar-J, a fun two-steppin’ bar and restaurant, where real cowboys head for a juicy steak and a dance. Greasewood Flat is another fun local fave. But my favorite epicurean ritual is a daily trip to the Coffee Bean for an Ice Blended Vanilla and at least one visit to In-n-Out for a Double-Double with cheese and well-done fries, Animal Style — for us deprived East Coasters.

Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

WHERE TO SPA: Your hotel probably has an amazing spa, but even if you’re not staying at one of the swankier joints — why not book a treatment or two at one of these pampering spots: Willow Stream at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Golden Door Spa at The Boulders, Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician, The Spa at Marriott’s Camelback Inn and Bliss at the W. My favorite spot is the Sanctuary Spa, where even their basic massage is to die for!

Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

WHERE TO SHOP: Try strolling down the streets of Old Town Scottsdale for great boutiques, galleries and funky jewelry shops, where you’ll find work from local artists. The Borgata of Scottsdale, Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Fashion Square are perfect for a day of shopping, but you’ll probably find most of these stores at home. Just behind Scottsdale Fashion Square is the new Scottsdale Waterfront (yes, you’re in the desert, but it’s nice to stroll along the water, no?) Here, you’ll find a nice combo of stores you know and small, chic boutiques.

Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

WHERE TO WATCH BASEBALL: Oh yes, and then there’s the baseball. The ballparks are intimate and accessible — some shiny and new (like Scottsdale Stadium where the Giants play), some old and historic (like Hohokam, home of the Cubs, or Papago Park, where the A’s play), but all are fun. This year, the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers have moved from Florida to Arizona, so there are some exciting new additions to the Cactus League. Spring Training is your chance to see your favorite players in a small-town setting, with other fans who are serious about their baseball (or at least their tans). Spring Training attendance runs anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 fans per game (versus 30,000 to 40,000 fans per game for most Major League teams during the season). And tickets are cheap — around $12 – $15 for bleacher seats, slightly higher for better seats if you act fast. Otherwise, try StubHub. Parking is easy breezy, but if you arrive late, try one of the surrounding lots and take a shuttle.

Photo Courtesy of Erica Boeke

WHAT TO DO PRE- AND POST-GAME: We usually hit brunch before the game at The Orange Table or the Original Pancake House (yes it’s a chain, but oh yes is it good!). With a blanket in hand, we then find a seat in the grass and settle in for some sun, hotdogs, cold beer and sizzling baseball action. After the game, Old Town Scottsdale is teeming with fans grabbing a post-game beer or margarita out on the patio. It’s a big party and a great way to meet fans from all over. There are tons of West Coasters, and at times, it does feel as if the entire city of Chicago comes down to see their Cubbies and Sox. The Salty Senorita is a favorite spot, but also try Mickey’s Hangover, The Blue Moose, Saddle Ranch or the Billet Bar — but you may want to bring some leather, as it’s a pretty serious biker bar!

Photo Courtesy of Erica Boeke

WHERE TO PLAY: There are beautiful hikes all around Scottsdale, from Pinnacle Peak to Camelback Mountain. And there are lots of different options for horseback riding, depending on where you are staying. The scenery is beautiful and you’ll release your inner City Slicker.

Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

WHERE THE BOYS (OF SUMMER) ARE
To help you decide whether to spend your spring in Arizona or Florida, here is a list of which Major League teams play where.

Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

FLORIDA’S GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE
Atlanta Braves, Lake Buena Vista
Baltimore Orioles, Fort Lauderdale
Boston Red Sox, Fort Myers
Cincinnati Reds, Sarasota
Detroit Tigers, Lakeland
Florida Marlins, Jupiter
Houston Astros, Kissimmee
Minnesota Twins, Fort Myers
New York Mets, Port St. Lucie
New York Yankees, Tampa
Philadelphia Phillies, Clearwater
Pittsburgh Pirates, Bradenton
St. Louis Cardinals, Jupiter
Tampa Bay Rays, Port Charlotte, Florida
Toronto Blue Jays, Dunedin
Washington Nationals, Viera

ARIZONA’S CACTUS LEAGUE
Arizona Diamondbacks, Tucson
Chicago Cubs, Mesa
Chicago White Sox, Tucson
Cleveland Indians, Goodyear (they just moved from Florida this year)
Colorado Rockies, Tucson
Kansas City Royals, Surprise
Los Angeles Angels, Tempe
L.A. Dodgers, Glendale (they just moved from Florida this year)
Milwaukee Brewers, Phoenix
Oakland Athletics, Phoenix
San Diego Padres, Peoria
San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale
Seattle Mariners, Peoria
Texas Rangers, Surprise

Photo Credits: IStockPhoto.com, Scottsdale Visitors and Convention Center, Erica Boeke