Weekend Trip to Phoenix/Scottsdale from LAX: Sun, Pools, and Zero Planning Required

Scottsdale is the weekend trip you book when you don't want to think too hard. The flight from LAX is barely ninety minutes. The weather is almost always perfect (outside of July and August when it's genuinely too hot). And the entire weekend can be: pool, eat, sleep, repeat.

The flight

American, Southwest, and Delta all run nonstops from LAX to PHX constantly throughout the day. Round trips run $80 to $160. This is one of the cheapest routes from LAX. Friday evening departures get you there by 8 PM local time (Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving, so check the time difference for your travel dates).

Where to stay

Old Town Scottsdale is the move for a weekend. Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and the art galleries along Marshall Way. If you're going for the pool scene, Hotel Valley Ho and The Scott Resort both deliver. Mountain Shadows has mountain views from the pool. Budget options in the Papago area are close to everything and often under $100 per night.

48 hours in Scottsdale

Saturday

Claim your pool chair by 10 AM. Read a book, order a drink, don't move for four hours. That's the whole morning plan. For lunch, walk to Old Town. Hash Kitchen does an over-the-top brunch that's popular for a reason, or grab tacos at Barrio Queen on the waterfront.

Afternoon options: the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (small but good), the Fashion Square mall (one of the biggest in the Southwest), or a short drive to Camelback Mountain for a sunset hike (the Echo Canyon trail is strenuous but the views are worth it).

Dinner on the Scottsdale waterfront. Olive and Ivy for Mediterranean, Mastro's City Hall for steak, or Citizen Public House for a more casual scene. Old Town bars stay open late and the vibe on a Saturday night is lively without being overwhelming.

Sunday

One more pool session or a morning walk through the art galleries on Marshall Way. Grab lunch at Diego Pops for colorful Mexican food with a patio, then head to PHX. The airport is about 20 minutes from Scottsdale.

When to go

October through April is the sweet spot. The weather is 75 to 85 degrees and sunny almost every day. May and June are still doable but hot (100+). July through September is genuinely brutal (110+) and not recommended unless you're exclusively doing pool-to-AC-to-pool.

What it costs

One of the cheapest weekend trips from LAX. Total per person: $250 to $450. Flights $80-160, hotels $80-180 per night. Scottsdale restaurants are moderately priced compared to LA. Check LAX to Scottsdale packages.