Destinations

Behind the Scenes

In the Spring of 1982 a science-fiction fanatic named Mike Davis living in southern California heard rumors about a big movie production in the Imperial Sand Dunes west of Yuma, AZ. He and some friends decided to head to the dunes to see what was goi... Full story

Just a pinch: Territorial prison spawns legend of a ghostly girl

BY DARIN FENGER - FEATURES EDITOR

Little girls who go around pinching tourists would usually get themselves kicked out of public places.But the dead are so difficult to evict.Just ask visitors to Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park who have toured the infamous Dark Cell &mdas... Full story

Yuma becomes permanent home to its former military

BY JOYCE LOBECK @YSJoyceLobeck

A native of Minnesota, Greg Wilkinson has been to the East Coast and West Coast, Texas and overseas, but when it came time to retire from the Marine Corps, he chose to make Yuma his home. “Truthfully, I like it better here than anywhere e... Full story

It's all uphill from here: Hiking Telegraph Pass

SARAH WOMER - @YSSARAHWOMER

No matter what time of year it is, there's a good chance you will find Shane Hill, 32, hiking or running up Telegraph Pass in his spare time. “I love being outside and just the physical exercise aspect of it and the challenge,” he said. &... Full story

Nature and Wildlife Photo contest

BY JOHN VAUGHN - BAJO EL SOL EDITOR

It's too bad there can be only one No. 1.That's because a panel of judges had many well-composed and colorful nature and wildlife photographs to choose from in the Southwest Living photo contest.The winner is Nisa Bottone Sutton of Yuma, who submitte... Full story

Born to ride: Dunes offer fun for off-roaders

BY HILLARY DAVIS @YSHillaryDavis

Off-road vehicles have long buzzed around the rugged Yuma and Imperial Valley desert. The dune buggy has deep and fond ties to the area, and so do many enthusiasts of the buggy and its off-roading cousins.John Debernardeaux's dad rode. So did his sis... Full story

Getting away from it all:Camping, getting close to nature

MARA KNAUB - @YSMARAKNAUB

For some people, camping is not really camping without the smoky fire, hard ground, rain, bugs and cold nights.On the other hand, some campers want to get close to nature without forgoing comfort. Take Michelle Sims, a professor of business at Arizon... Full story

Hook, line and sinker: Local ponds lure area's angling families

BY CHRIS McDANIEL - SUN STAFF WRITER

There are many places in the Yuma area where residents can grab a fishing pole, bait a hook and toss a line into the water. Fishermen and women who don't want the hassle of finding a good fishing hole on the river or at a lake can simply make a short... Full story

One step at a time: Yuma area offers many options for walkers

Nancy Gilkey

For some people, a walk means leaving trails and roads, hiking through washes and canyons, over hills and onward to places in the desert where they're likelier to see wildlife than other people.Others are happy enough getting their hearts pumping in ... Full story

Thrill of the stalk: Yuma County has many opportunities for hunters

BY JAMES GILBERT @YSJamesGilbert

While few states can boast the same hunting opportunities that Arizona provides, for hunters in the Yuma area it's all about taking down that mule deer or getting a bag limit of dove, quail, pheasants or waterfowl.“The Yuma area offers a good v... Full story

4th of July Fireworks Celebrations

BY KERRY LEONARD - SPECIAL TO SOUTHWEST LIVING

In addition to the light shows, the Fourth of July events this year won't be without live music, juicy watermelon and daring hot dog eaters.Cocopah and Paradise casinos and the communities of Wellton and San Luis, Ariz., are all hosting fireworks cel... Full story

Yuma's ancient history: A timeline before statehood

BY JOHN VAUGHN - SOUTHWEST LIVING

The Yuma area's history didn't begin with Arizona statehood 100 years ago — although that certainly was an important happening.The events that led to the development of the area that today is our home began not one century but centuries ago.Bel... Full story

What’s in a name?

How Yuma's towns got their names

DARREN DARONCO - SUN STAFF WRITER

How do cities acquire their names?The reasons are usually as varied as the residents who live there, but behind every name exists a story.And no matter how dubious the history behind a particular name might be, the story eventually ends up weaving it... Full story

For Yuma Marines, Birthday Balls honor Marine Corps tradition

Celebrating History and Tradition

BY JAMES GILBERT - SUN STAFF WRITER

It's fairly obvious to the casual observer that the Birthday Balls held by the squadrons at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma are evenings filled with highly polished uniforms, beautiful dresses and the pomp and circumstance of an extremely formal event.... Full story

Yuma is more than a one-crop county

BY KERRY LEONARD/SPECIAL TO SOUTHWEST LIVING

Although lettuce may be the top crop in Yuma County, it's certainly not the only one that drives the economy.Cotton, wheat, broccoli, melons and citrus are some of the other principal crops you'll find blanketing the area year after year.But the rece... Full story

Yuma crops A to Z

BY JOHN VAUGHN - SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

Yuma County is sometimes referred to as the Winter Lettuce Capital of the nation. And it's known of other winter produce like broccoli and cauliflower, as well as its citrus.But the area's fertile fields spawn a host of other crops you might not ha... Full story

Agritourism: Promoting Yuma through agriculture

BY JOHN VAUGHN/SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

For years, agriculture and tourism have represented two key pillars that sustain the Yuma-area economy.But the two functioned independently of one another. The farmers grew a wide variety of crops over three-fourths of the year, while the area's recr... Full story

California’s Sunny & Wine Region

3-Day Escape Among the Vineyards of Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country

by Temecula Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau

Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country is affordable luxury close to home. Our sunny and picturesque wine region will inspire you to explore our destination for all it has to offer. Temecula Valley is a short drive from anywhere in Southern... Full story

The Lower Colorado River

A fun, inexpensive place to stay cool in the summertime

by Nancy Gilkey

Lori Stofft may have moved to Yuma on April Fool's Day 18 years ago, but she's no fool when it comes to staying cool in the soaring summertime temperatures. Like many Yumans, she tubes, kayaks and canoes down the lower Colorado River with friends and... Full story

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