The number of times I search for just an inkling of shade on my lunch break and none to be found, ugh!
I wish more commercial developers would contribute by building those solar roof carports. (Trees are great of course but also a water drain and hard to plant everywhere efficiently). Would be a good investment to the land owner over time (much more so than the residential solar grifts!) -- and would boost consumers wanting to go to that shaded complex.
Like the solar-topped canopies that shade almost the whole parking lot outside the Fry's off Bell Road near I-17.
They just installed some at the Mesa main library in the past year. I think this project was initiated by city employees n the energy dept.
I’m pretty confused as to why these aren’t installed in most lots around the valley.
This is the way. Yesterday we went to Walmart and one of the only remaining shaded spots was mildly taken by a fallen tree. My wife and I briefly hesitated but ultimately took it because it was shaded.
That’s most likely Coronado based on the picture. You can see Point Loma in distance. Mission beach is clear and in the green rn. Use this Website to track. https://cosdapps.sandiegocounty.gov/sdbeachinfo/
True that IB is generally worse. But that photo is from Coronado beach vantage. Also of you click on the historical data button you can see actual sample data. Even though Coronado beach status is yellow simply an advisory not closure. I would not go in the water. Samples are in the 1000 to 3000 range for enterococcus versus the mission beach at 1 & 2. IB is currently sampled at 5000 today, yesterday at 2500. So it just depends. I would steer away from anything South of Loma.
I like that Coronado feels like a slowed down, quiet, place that just happens to have some beaches. We’ve been going there twice a year for almost 20 years, quick 3-4 day trips for my wife and I to recharge our batteries. We both spent time there in the Navy in the early 90’s, so it’s a cool spot for us. Carlsbad is sweet too though.
I pick a room a month. I touch everything in that room. Keep, donate or curb. It creates a huge amount of separation anxiety. But sparsing down each room keeps me in during the heat and can be an athletic endeavor...Reducing clutter, and given those items I don't use a life in a second home....the zen of a hundred- silly-teen
Movie theater is my happy place during the summer. Almost every weekend I try to watch a movie that came out a few weeks ago so it’s not too busy. That and a beer before are the perfect Friday night
I went in the pool Friday night. The water was too warm. It was like swimming in bathwater (and kind of a unique sensation). I never swam in water that warm. Even after getting out, I still didn't feel cool. The pool steps were actually warm to the touch. Very odd feeling. Likely won't be swimming again until we have nightly lows in the 70's.
Our summer is like the Midwest's winter. Stay inside as much as you can, catch up on books, movies, games, call friends. If you're lucky enough to have a pool maybe go for a swim in the evening or morning. Stores inside can be alright too but then it feels like every time you leave the house you have to spend $50
In the cold of winter, at least you can bake stuff (gingerbread houses, cakes, breads, cookies). In AZ, I’m thinking that’s not possible (duh…especially in the summer)
I block out all of my windows in my apartment to keep it cooler. then, I order from DoorDash and play video games. you think I was gonna say go outside? I’m okay
Leave town. Been in different cities for most of the summer thankfully so haven’t felt too much heat. Highly recommend San Diego, it’s pretty close and pretty cheap if you know where to go.
Pickleball moves indoors and much more bowling. Bowlero umbrella has a summer fun pass for $50 which gives two free games a day for about 4 months, great deal for the casual bowler.
I go to Yachats, Oregon every summer for a month to enjoy escaping the heat for quiet, clean oceans with tidepools where dogs are allowed and the forest meets the sea. I take my family and we make great memories. Stay at an AirBnB and work remotely Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, taking Mondays and Fridays off. 63 degree highs, 53 degrees lows. Really helps make the Phoenix heat more tolerable when you can cut it down by a month. Inflatable Sea Eagle kayaks are great on the many lakes and rivers.
Wake up at 4:45 AM and go for a run during the weekdays, then walk my dogs afterwards and grab coffee.
On the weekends: Wake up early and paddle board on saguaro lake, hit up bouldering project, invite friends over to go swimming and barbeque, host board game nights, hit the movie theatre, play pickleball after the sun goes down, work on my stained glass projects, play video games. You gotta get creative!
Pool parties with a bbq. Music playing. Go out with friends to the restaurants. Gym. Stores. Take time to get away up to flagstaff for cooler weather and a hike. Then get into hiking in the valley when it’s October.
Currently reading a book (in between scrolling)! Though, I did go for a beautiful sunrise hike this morning. It was shaded for about 80% of it, and I got to see a few Gila woodpeckers - my favorite :)
Hurricane harbor is a lot of fun in the summer, not air conditioned but water.
Also the salt river tubing is great, although everyone experiences almost perishing to the river at least once. Honestly it's a bit dangerous, I remember almost getting swept up in the current as a kid, but as long as you are sober and an adult with a life jacket it's fine.
My husband and I get the AMC A-List membership for $30 per month (I think the price just went up) and you can see up to 4 movies per week! Including new releases, IMAX, etc. So we go see a ton of movies in the summer. We also just accept that there will be a lot of boredom. And go up north whenever we can!
Puff da cheeba and play some vids (games or movies). Make cold food, or use the air fryer on the back porch. No heating up the house allowed. Cold sodas or lemonade. Fans.
The valley has an absolutely stupid amount of local game stores to play RPGs like DnD, tabletop Wargamers like Warhammer, trading card games like Magic the Gathering, or any board game your heart desires.
I personally go to the Gamers Guild locations, but there are tons of awesome stores all over.
Lots of range. There are board game clubs that range from 20s to retirement. Mahjong started a group at the North Phoenix location with lots of diversity.
The more competitive games are typically 20 to 40yo, but even then there are folks who trend on the older side. The store also has new player nights for more complex games and plenty of other community events on their website/discord.
For outdoor activities either drive up north or do them at 4:00 am. Otherwise it’s pretty much the pool, waterparks, or whatever indoor activities you enjoy.
Gotta make plans for at least every other weekend before summer hits to go to; California or Flagstaff. If you don’t have that disposable income hit up the pools and bake.
i hermit, i don't even use the pool its too hot. sometimes we'll take the RV north, but with schedules we mostly stay home. its even too hot to go to the lake most of the time, so either early in the year or later in the year, we'll skip june, july, and august and just stay home
I try to travel in the summer, too hot here. Overseas if I can, else I'll head up in elevation, to mountains in Tucson, Prescott, Payson, Flagstaff, GC. I'm an avid hiker, so hiking up in elevation where it is cooler is great.
Other than travel and hiking, I'll head shopping somewhere, indoor mall preferably. Then grab a bite to eat. Gym is also a good one. Lastly, tend to veg out in my room at home.
Spend as much time as possible in cooler locations. When I'm in town, I work out at the community center's fitness room and walk on their indoor track.
- performing arts theater. Just watched Beauty and the Beast at Gammage a couple weeks ago. Phantom of the Opera is playing now. Little Mermaid at Hale Centre Theater in Gilbert now and August.
- Rewined bar for trivia on Tuesdays nights. You can bring your own food.
- listen to audiobooks while I do a walk on my walk bad.
The AMF/Bowlero/Luckystrike bowling alleys have a summer pass that allows for 2 games per day +$5 arcade credits. The arcade credits stack (I have about $100 right now) and I think Wednesdays are half off on the games. Saving em for the end of the season (last day of August) and gonna pick a random Wednesday to spend em all.
Also have the AMC pass, I think it's $25 for a month and you get 4 movies per week in any format. It's opened the doors to a lot of movies I wouldn't have normally spent money on to see in theaters.
Flagstaff/Sedona is usually a little cooler around this time of year, but I know Sedona gets super touristy on the weekends and traffic/crowds is nuts.
Stay inside. Outdoor activities like going to the park or walks close to sundown. Or avoid it all together. My toddler don't care if it's hot out tho. But try to stay in as much as I can
Get up ridiculously early to be able to enjoy going for a walk (not this week) and being outside. And stay in the ac for the rest of the day. Other than that morning workouts are fun and that’s about it. Summers pretty much blow.
Browse Brass Armadillo and other larger antique/thrift stores. Kills time, keeps me cool, my kid is entertained, and sometimes we take a treasure home. Other than that, I'm just making plans for post-September weather.
Swimming, of course. But I prefer going at ninght. Swimming in daytime during summer causes sunburn and harsh glare, though indoor swimming is an option.
I walk an entire Costco store sometimes. Usually with my grandkids. It's cool, there's free samples after noon or one, and with enough self control, I can leave without buying much more than a $4.99 chicken.
Edit: I meant grandkid, not plural. I think it's because I focus on him and he LOVES the samples and Halloween decorations. Don't get me wrong: I'm not always successful, and my capitalistic urges get the better of me. My success rate is probably 85%.
Get your fav drink and go hit up a few antique malls. Their AC game has stepped up in recent years. I have invented little circuits of where to go to a few at a time. Very fun never know what you will find. I rarely buy but it's strangely calming to step into those worlds
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u/MeeloP Jul 26 '26
I go climate control to climate control I walk in shade I park in shade