Arizona Spring Training

Trip Highlights

Two men standing on a grassy field at a baseball stadium, with the baseball diamond and empty yellow seats in the background. One man is wearing a Dodgers jersey and a baseball cap, the other is in a dark polo shirt and sunglasses.

We took a short Arizona trip from Sunday through Tuesday and attended two spring training games at Camelback Ranch, the spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Spring training has a completely different feel than the regular season. The stadium is easy to walk, the pace is relaxed, and you can move around and watch from different spots throughout the game. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy baseball up close while still keeping the day chill and flexible.

Our hotel was located about 10 minutes from the stadium, which made getting to and from the games simple and stress-free.

Between innings we explored the park, grabbed snacks and spent time enjoying the spring sunshine and atmosphere.

Man wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball jersey and cap standing in front of a large cactus plant.
View from stadium seats over field with players, fans in stands, and blue sky.

During the second game, we watched a full Dodgers starting lineup that included both established veterans and younger players competing for roster spots. One of the things that makes spring training special is being able to see this mix of talent from much closer vantage points than you normally would during the regular season.

It was a great reminder of how relaxed and accessible the spring training environment can be, especially when you have time to walk the stadium and enjoy everything going on around it.

A colorful poster displaying the lineups of the Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball teams, with player names and positions. It also features a greeting from Arizona and an illustration of a desert landscape.
A man wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap and jersey walks past an electronic signboard in a park. The signboard displays a welcome message to Glendale and mentions a game back match.
View of a baseball game from behind the dugout, with players sitting on the bench and spectators in the stands, under a bright sky with stadium lights and a protective net in the foreground.
View of a baseball game from stadium seats with fans in foreground, players on field, scoreboard, and stadium lights visible in background.
Two men taking a selfie at a baseball stadium, with the field and seating in the background. One man is wearing sunglasses and a dark shirt, the other is wearing glasses and a Los Angeles Dodgers hat. Other people are sitting and standing on the grass and in the stands.
Crowd seated in bleachers at a baseball stadium with some people wearing hats, watching a game with a batter at the plate and a pitcher on the mound.
A man wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball jersey and cap standing outdoors in front of a large screen displaying the logo of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, celebrating winning the World Series. The sign on top reads 'Camelback Ranch'. The man is smiling, and there are other people in the background.
Two men at a stadium, one wearing sunglasses, a Los Angeles Dodgers shirt and cap, smiling into the camera. The other man, older, in a Los Angeles Dodgers cap and shirt, holding a cup and a snack, with other people in the background near a 'State Farm Stadium' sign.

Dining Highlights

• Dinner at The Sicilian Butcher, from chef Joey Maggiore, kicked things off right… great pizza, a lively room and the kind of casual energy that made it easy to settle in and get excited for the games ahead.

• Breakfast at Original Breakfast House, a longtime Phoenix favorite. It has that classic neighborhood diner feel with pancakes that you cannot miss!

• Dinner at Arrowhead Grill, a classic steakhouse and one of the standout meals of the trip. It has that timeless “special night out” energy that makes the night feel like quite the occasion.

• Dumplings at Niu MaMa Kitchens, easily one of the coolest surprises of the trip. The space, the Asian flavors and the whole experience made it a really memorable final night stop before heading back home.

A man with gray hair, glasses, and a plaid shirt sitting at a restaurant table with a pizza in front of him, and a woman with her hair in a bun sitting nearby. The restaurant interior has large windows and string lights, with a waitress in the background.
A man wearing glasses and a white Dodgers shirt eating at a restaurant, with a bowl of soup and a seafood dish on the table.
Asian cuisine dishes on a wooden table in a restaurant.
Part of a person's face with glasses is visible at the bottom. Behind the person, there is a lush green wall with various plants, ferns, and small red flowers. A sign with the words 'Maui Nō Ka ʻOi' and 'Kitchens' can be seen amidst the plants.

What Made This Trip Special

• Two Dodgers spring training games over three days
• Seeing a full Dodgers lineup up close during spring training
• Accommodations located about 10 minutes from the stadium
• Easy walking access around Camelback Ranch with multiple viewing areas
• Ballpark snacks and time in the Arizona sunshine (before summer, thankfully!)
• Exploring the local dining scene between games
• A relaxed schedule that worked well even on a short Sunday–Tuesday getaway

Inside an airplane cabin, a man with glasses and gray hair seated next to a window. Other passengers sit nearby, some looking at their devices, with sunlight streaming through the window and a blue hue lighting the interior.
Two men are taking a selfie outdoors, one wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a navy blue shirt, and making a peace sign with his fingers. The other man wears glasses, a blue Los Angeles Dodgers cap, and a white Dodgers shirt. There are people in the background, some walking and some wearing Dodgers gear, along with greenery and a baseball field fence.