Pinon Valley - Colorado Springs, CO Area Guide

The city of Colorado Springs came into its own in 1871, founded by General William Jackson Palmer as a resort town and spa for those suffering from tuberculosis. Following the Cripple Creek gold rush in 1891, wealthy patrons donated land to the city, landmarks such as the Broadmoor Hotel were built, and a trolley system implemented. With the addition of five military installations, including the Air Force Academy and NORAD, Colorado Springs began to spread away from the core area of town. Between 1970 and 1999, 84 percent of the homes in Pinon Valley emerged with an established but not old neighborhood.

Although the neighborhood sports no museums, the city does, including the Fine Arts Center and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. An annual balloon festival at Memorial Park fills the skies over Labor Day weekend.

Pinon Valley features one of the best Thai restaurants in the city. NaRai Thai Restaurant exudes authentic warmth and friendliness with rich decor and superb food prepared by a chef from northern Thailand. The chef prepares all curry dishes made-to-order from gluten- and dairy-free to the level of hotness you desire, including "Thai hot." For a change-of-pace appetizer, try the kabocha squash tempura with sweet and sour peanut sauce, then choose from juicy pineapple curry, yummy orange shrimp or meaty basil eggplant with ginger, garlic and Thai basil in soybean paste sauce. Soothe your palate and tickle your sweet tooth with coconut sticky rice topped with homemade coconut ice cream for dessert.

When you crave that down-home atmosphere with a great choice of food and entertainment for both you and the kids, sail on over to the award-winning Sunbird Mountain Grill & Tavern for brunch or dinner. With spectacular views of the panoramic Front Range, Sunbird supplies all the amenities you'll need for high-flying fun with pool tables, games and sports on TV. The menu includes Coors-battered onion rings, bison burgers, fire-roasted Cornish game hen, ribs and brisket, sweet bourbon cedar salmon and pecan-crusted red trout, many prepared gluten-free, in addition to beverages served in signature mason jars.

The wildly popular Marigold Cafe & Bakery features a menu of scrumptious escargots, mussels and clams in wine sauce, delicately seasoned salmon, Idaho red trout and succulent steak, but you don't have to wait for dessert because you may want to eat it first. The in-house bakery tempts you with such delights as fresh lemon and fruit tarts, to-die-for chocolate brownie cheesecake and crunchy carrot cake.

When you need a relaxing night out and a bit of inexpensive therapy, catch a visiting comedian at Loonees Comedy Corner while munching on a "Jerry Lewis" sandwich, described as "a classic French dip" or a steak, onion and melted white American cheese, the "Groucho." With entertainment such as Todd Bridges and Dustin Diamond, known for his "Screech Powers" persona on "Save by the Bell," laughter rules the night.

For a boot-stomping evening of dancing to live bands and a family-friendly Sunday special, pull your ride up in front of Cowboys night club, take a few free line-dancing lessons and let your inner cowboy loose for rip-roaring fun.

Pinon Valley is a car-dependent community with public transportation hubs located just west along Centennial Boulevard. Once there, the city bus system is extensive, including a transit system that delivers you to points farther from the city for work. Cab and Uber service are options in this neighborhood, although no public parking facilities exist. The neighborhood easily connects with the interstate and other major thoroughfares within the city.

Pinon Valley has steep inclines and lengthy walking distances to amenities such as shopping and restaurants. Only minimal bike infrastructure lines the neighborhood streets which dictates caution for bikers, although multiple paths and trails dot the close-by parks for a safer, more relaxed experience.

The Golden Hills, Pinon Valley and Pinecliff neighborhood parks welcome families and leashed pets in addition to providing sidewalks and parking lots that are ADA compliant for those with mobility issues. Baseball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms, and trails and hiking paths beckon residents for hours of outdoor entertainment.

Planted in the middle of this neighborhood resides the Ute Valley Park and features the very best hiking and biking trails right in the city with a hogback ridge that shows off the scenic views from a great vantage point. The trails cover a diverse combination of flat areas, rolling hills and steep climbs that perfectly change up your exercise routine, and the park is mountain-bike friendly.

The Blue Moon Trail Run occurs annually through Pinon Valley and Ute Valley Park, a 5K and 10K run for people of all ages and abilities with a special race for kids under 10. Everyone participates in an after-race barbecue provided by the parks and recreation department.

The cost of living in Pinon Valley is significantly higher than other areas in the city. Public transportation costs less than $2 one-way, with monthly passes designed to save money for regular riders. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs $905, and a draft beer costs approximately $4.25. Gas is slightly lower than the national average.

The Chapel Hills Mall features anchors such as Macy's and Dillard's, and one of America's largest movie screens. The Promenade Shops at Briargate not only extend fantastic mountain views in its open-air center but welcomes your pet to join your shopping adventure. Enjoy high-quality stores such as Bath & Body Works, Apple, Banana Republic, Sephora, LOFT, Eddie Bauer, and Victoria's Secret just a 10-minute drive from the neighborhood.

Whether you like arts-and-crafts bargains or antique furniture, visit the American Classics Marketplace, the largest antique mall in Colorado, and peruse the 63,000 square foot space and experience unexpected finds at every turn.

Safeway serves for handy neighborhood shopping, while the Briarsgate Farmers Market extends a friendly welcome with locally and regionally grown organic produce from July through October.