September 16, 2024
Fall is right around the corner, and it’s always a great time of year to connect with family and friends. Whether you’re planning to spend time outdoors exploring or indoors trying a new hobby, this season brings endless opportunities to discover something new. Here are some ideas to add to your fall bucket list.
While autumn is noted for apple picking in many places, Arizona might not immediately spring to mind. However, seniors will find a few orchards near Sun City for picking apples. Some of the closer orchards have stopped producing due to age or drought. However, a few places you can still visit for apple picking include:
Royal Oaks has a well-stocked library for residents to enjoy, and Sun City has two public libraries available. Sun City Library and Fairway Library are both open Monday through Saturday and have book clubs. The Fairway Readers meet on the second Saturday of every month in the Fairway Recreation Center. Sun City Library currently has three book clubs—the Mystery Book Club meets on the first Wednesday, the Murder and Mayhem Book Club meets on the first Thursday, and the Fiction and More Book Club meets on the third or fourth Thursday each month.
Joining a book club is an excellent way to share what you’re reading with other book lovers in the community, both on and off campus. If you’d like to start a book club covering a specific genre not currently available at Royal Oaks, ask one of the full-time activities coordinators to help you set it up.
Sun City is located in the Sonoran Desert, offering numerous scenic drives to explore in the autumn or any time of year. Take a scenic drive to Dobbins Lookout for stunning scenery all the way up the vista, and enjoy a panoramic view of Phoenix in the valley below. Another popular route is driving up to Lake Pleasant, where you can enjoy incredible lake views against the backdrop of the rugged desert landscape.
For a slightly longer adventure, take a scenic drive up to the White Tank Mountains in Waddell and stop at the identically named regional park for a picnic and a close-up view of the natural surroundings. As part of the regular activities at Royal Oaks, residents also take cruises and other trips to explore areas around the country.
Sun City, Arizona, is usually quite warm year-round, but temperatures begin to drop some in the fall, making outdoor picnics more pleasant. Royal Oaks regularly hosts indoor and outdoor picnics with barbecues and performers, but you can also host your own. Hosting a picnic offers a great way to get to know your fellow residents and introduce them to your family. Be sure you’re aware of any dietary restrictions of your guests and provide ample shade because some autumn days can still be relatively warm.
The Royal Oaks community is part of Sun City, a master-planned community built specifically for active older adults, so there’s lots to explore outdoors. On campus, active seniors have access to trails throughout the Life Plan Community suitable for walking and jogging. Royal Oaks also has gardens to explore and courtyards for relaxing while communing with nature. The new Inspirata Pointe expansion includes lovely plant-lined pathways, further adding to the ambiance of the community’s outdoor spaces.
If you're looking to venture off campus, the New River Trailhead is nearby, offering an even path along the river that's great for walking. The Lakeview Recreation Center is teeming with opportunities for active seniors to explore and enjoy. From shuffleboard and lawn bowling to mini golf, fishing and paddle boats, there's plenty of fun to be had on and around the lake. There are also numerous benches and covered pavilions that offer lovely panoramas of Viewpoint Lake and a beautiful waterfall.
There’s always plenty to do at Royal Oaks, no matter what interests you. Visit us today to learn more about our upcoming fall activities!
