Maryvale, up close.

Maryvale is a large area on the west side of Phoenix that began in the 1950s as a master-planned community. Developer John F. Long proposed it, with a master plan by architect Victor Gruen, and it is named for Long's wife, Mary. Homes were built quickly, reportedly about eight a day by 1954. Today Maryvale is a City of Phoenix urban village. The outline on the map covers about 32 square miles and runs about 12 miles east to west, trimmed where it meets Glendale so the two do not overlap. Neighborhoods and subdivisions have their own rules, and some have HOAs, so confirm dues and rules for each address.

The map shows seven places to eat. Pho 43, at 2844 N 43rd Ave, is a Vietnamese pho shop that has been open since 1992. Ta'Carbon, at 2929 N 43rd Ave, serves street tacos and carne asada and has a salsa bar. Rita's Mexican Food & Mariscos, at 1402 N 35th Ave, serves Mexican food and seafood. Rebecca's picks are Popo's Fiesta Del Sol, at 6542 W Indian School Rd, which she calls a neighborhood classic, and Unos Tacos y Birria, at 7502 W Thomas Rd, for the tacos and salsa bar. East of the outline, near Grand Canyon University at 3300 W Camelback Rd, are El Taco Tote at 3464 W Camelback Rd, which serves tacos and quesadillas, and Great Wall Cuisine at 3446 W Camelback Rd, which serves Hong Kong-style dim sum and seafood. For shopping, Desert Sky Mall, at 7611 W Thomas Rd, is an enclosed mall that opened in 1981 and has a Valley Metro transit center. Rebecca's pick there is the Dillard's Clearance Center. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.

American Family Fields of Phoenix, at 3805 N 53rd Ave, is the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers. It opened February 22, 1998 as Maryvale Baseball Park and holds 10,000 people. Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, at 2121 N 83rd Ave, is an outdoor concert venue that has been open since 1990 and was formerly called Ak-Chin Pavilion. Grand Canyon University Golf Course, at 5902 W Indian School Rd, is a public 18-hole course owned by the City of Phoenix that first opened as Maryvale Golf Course in 1961. The city's Maryvale Community Center is at 4420 N 51st Ave. Check dates, tee times and event schedules with each venue.

Maryvale is a large area, so the best route depends on where in it you live. Grand Avenue crosses it on a diagonal, I-17 runs near the eastern edge of the outline, and I-10 runs along the southern edge. Desert Sky Mall, at 7611 W Thomas Rd, has a Valley Metro transit center. Check Valley Metro for current routes, fares and schedules, and test your commute at the times you would actually travel before you decide.