Dobson - Mesa, AZ

As its name suggests, Dobson Ranch was originally a large cattle ranch and farm, established by pioneer Wilson Wesley Dobson in 1886. The Dobson family built an elegant homestead, which was later purchased by the city of Mesa as part of the Dobson Ranch Golf Course Development. The former family home now serves as a fine-dining restaurant for the golf course and residents.

Construction of the Dobson Ranch planned community — Mesa’s first — began in 1973, and was largely completed by the mid 1980s. The neighborhood now consists of approximately 5,000 homes and 15,000 residents.

Managed by the Dobson Ranch Home Owners Association, the community enjoys monthly activities, recreational events and classes. The HOA throws an annual Winter Wonderland party in December, which includes machine-made snow, visits from Santa and a lighted boat parade along Saratoga Lake.

Designed as a family-friendly residential area rather than a mixed-use development, Dobson Ranch has few businesses within its boundaries, but convenient dining can be found on the edges of the neighborhood. One local favorite, the Angry Crab Shack, adds Cajun flair to the traditional crab-bag boil. Create your own boil bag by choosing the seafood, seasonings and spice level. Pair the bag with some fried frog's legs and a pint of local Arizona beer for a sensational meal.

Dobson's Restaurant provides fine dining on the Dobson Ranch Golf Course. Renovated from the original homestead of the Dobson family, the restaurant offers scenic views of the golf course in addition to delectable food. Head in on Sunday for brunch with family or friends. The restaurant serves breakfast all day, and patrons recommend the pancakes and stuffed French toast. Evening hours are reserved for special events like weddings and holiday parties. Discover Phoenix's best eggs Benedict at T.C. Eggington's. Located in the northeast corner of Dobson Ranch, this establishment has been the go-to place for breakfast and brunch since 1987. Try the farmer's market Ben.E.Dict, served with fresh spinach, sliced tomatoes and Hass avocados on an English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce. If you want to stay local and enjoy a night out, head over to O'Kelly's Sports Bar & Grill, and grab a beer and wings as you watch the game. Downtown Tempe and downtown Scottsdale are the places to go to enjoy the local nightlife. Tempe's Rula Bula Pub & Restaurant pours a variety of Guinness beers and Irish whiskies in an Irish pub setting. Scottsdale's 5th & Wine is a popular hangout for fermented-grape lovers. Both areas include taverns and street venues with live music, and locals often hop between establishments.

Designed with recreation in mind, the community features numerous pathways used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Major thoroughfares feature biking lanes.

Most commuters residing in Dobson Ranch use personal vehicles for transportation. The neighborhood sits just south of US 60 and just east of the Loop 101. These two highways provide easy access to virtually the entire Phoenix metro area. But a car isn’t strictly required — some residents use local cab companies or internet-based cab alternatives, such as Uber and Lyft.

For those flying in or out of the area, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport stands as Phoenix’s main airport, but Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport is also a valid option. Both airports sit approximately 20 miles away from Dobson Ranch.

All homes, townhomes and apartments in the neighborhood come with private parking. Community areas feature free public parking, and parking is permitted along most streets. Commercial areas also provide ample free parking.

Dobson Ranch maintains three parks: Laguna Park, Frisbee Park and Mini Park. Laguna Park features boat docks, exercise equipment, a covered shelter with a barbecue grill and water fountain, a large playground, large open grassy areas and plenty of pathways and benches. The community holds several events here each year as well. Laguna Park gives access to Saratoga Lake, but swimming is not allowed.

The city of Mesa houses Dobson Ranch Park, which contains three covered eating areas, four half-size basketball courts and a playground. Located next to Lake Six, the park enjoys waterfront views of the lake and the golf course on the far side.

Owners walking their dogs frequent the streets and parks of Dobson Ranch. Park pathways include dog waste bags and receptacles. Dogs must always be on-leash though, and the lakes are considered dog-free zones.

For golfers, Dobson Ranch boasts an 18-hole championship golf course. The course has 6,712 yards of fairways lined with mature trees and challenges for every type of golfer. The course also sports a lighted driving range and a pro shop. Mesa provides junior clinics for free each summer.

The cost of living in Mesa stands roughly 5 percent lower than other areas of Phoenix, but homes in the Dobson Ranch neighborhood carry a premium because of the community structures and lakefront properties. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Dobson Ranch runs around $900 a month.

If traveling to downtown Phoenix by bus, expect a commute time between 2.5 and 3.5 hours — the time may be slightly shorter if the bus connects to an eastern station on the Metro light rail line. One-way fare costs approximately $4. Gas prices drop about 5.4 percent lower than the national average. Expect to pay around $4 for a pint of beer at local bars.

Local residents do not have to go far for everyday shopping. Grocery stores Safeway and Albertson’s are conveniently located in the neighborhood, as is a Walgreens. Less than two miles away, Fiesta Mall stocks a variety of clothing stores, jewelry shops and department stores.

High-fashion shoppers gravitate to Dana Park Village Square to find shops J. Jill, Anthropologie, and many other chain stores. On the other side of Dobson Ranch, Changing Hands Bookstore provides book lovers with new and used books, plus personalized service that no Internet-based bookseller can match. The shop offers beer, wine and food for patrons who stop by to read or attend a book reading from their favorite author. Events occur daily, including book clubs, story time for children and author signings.