On January 1, 1960, something extraordinary happened in the Arizona desert. Over 100,000 people came to see what was initially dismissed as a gimmick: a retirement community where people could not just age but thrive. That day marked the official opening of Sun City, the first master-planned community in the United States designed exclusively for retirees. Developed by Del E. Webb, it was a vision far ahead of its time—an experiment in aging that replaced rocking chairs with golf clubs, and isolation with structured community life. As of 2025, the population stands at about 37,000.  Sun City was once featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1962, cementing its status as a national symbol of aging on one’s own terms.

With more holes per capita than nearly anywhere else in the country, this city treats golf not as recreation, but as ritual. There are 11 courses in total, including five championship layouts and three executive courses within a six-mile radius. Many of these are managed by the Recreation Centers of Sun City, which was established as a non-profit organization to oversee resident access to leisure and fitness amenities. The courses are known for their affordability and frequent community tournaments. The Quail Run Golf Course, for example, features a par-34 executive layout tailored for seniors who want a quick round without sacrificing quality. Golf carts here outnumber sedans, and tee times are woven into daily life.

Art and memory intersect inside the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, which occupies one of the community’s original model homes. This museum isn’t just a place to view old photos. It functions as a living archive, documenting how a desert plot became a blueprint for aging that communities across the country would emulate. Visitors can browse vintage advertisements and architectural models that show how carefully Webb’s planners considered every detail, from lot layouts to driveway widths. Even the cul-de-sacs were engineered with social interaction in mind.

Residents mark their calendars for the Sun City Arts and Crafts Festival. Unlike the average craft fair, this event features more than 70 vendors, nearly all of them residents. The inventory runs from carved mesquite pens to hand-woven Navajo-inspired rugs. Attendance often exceeds 3,000. The festival's reputation stretches far enough that winter visitors plan their trips around it. But it’s not the only draw. Seasonal celebrations such as Halloween-themed pickleball tournaments and outdoor cinema nights have built a calendar where no month passes without spectacle.

Among the small businesses operating in Sun City, a few stand out for their unusual offerings. A Loving Touch Pet Grooming caters not only to dogs and cats but to more exotic companions including parrots and ferrets, a nod to the surprisingly diverse pet ownership in the area. They offer "senior pet spa days," which include aromatherapy and joint-care massages for arthritic animals. Then there’s Linnell Mobile Notary, founded by a former paralegal with nearly four decades of legal experience. The business serves residents who prefer document signings in their own homes and boasts a flawless record for error-free mortgage closings.

Food options in Sun City reflect its demographic while still surprising with their quality. Sunset Bistro focuses on Mediterranean staples—lamb gyros, roasted eggplant with tahini, and house-made baklava. Their weekday specials, particularly the lemon chicken orzo soup, are popular enough that reservations are required during peak lunch hours. George’s Lakeview Café offers hearty breakfast plates and meatloaf that’s prepared from a family recipe older than the city itself. The draw here isn’t the food alone, but the wall of signed photos featuring patrons who met their spouses over pancakes and eventually celebrated 50th anniversaries at the same table.

If enjoying a meal at home is frequently interrupted by uninvited six-legged guests, it might be time to call in the professionals. Eco Valley Pest Control understands the unique challenges Sun City residents face with seasonal infestations—from fire ants that creep along garden edges to scorpions that make late-night appearances under porch lights. Our treatments are pet-friendly and tailored to desert climates, ensuring that nothing ruins your outdoor breakfast or barbecue. Contact us today for more information.