Mariners travel guide
Getting there
By air: Alaska Airlines, America West and Southwest offer direct flights to Phoenix. Alaska: alaskaairlines.com, 800-252-7522. America West: americawest.com, 800-235-9292. Southwest Airlines: southwestairlines.com, 800-435-9792.
By rail: Amtrak has departures daily from King Street Station, but there are a few problems with this plan. First, the trip goes through Los Angeles, then to Maricopa, which is 30 miles south of Phoenix. That's as close as you can get. Trains run on various days only from Los Angeles to Maricopa and back to Los Angeles. The entire trip would take about 48 hours. Phone: 800-872-7245. Web site: www.amtrak.com.
By bus: There are daily departures on Greyhound. The trip takes approximately 40 hours. Monday through Thursday. Seven-day advance purchase fare discounts are available. With three-day advance purchase, the first person pays full fare, the second is free. Phone: 800-231-2222. Web site: greyhound.com.
Hotels
Comfort Suites: 8473 W. Paradise Lane.
Peoria, AZ 85382 Phone: 800-228-5150, 623-334-3993
Hampton Inn: 8408 W. Paradise Lane.
Peoria, AZ 85382 Phone: 800-HAMPTON, 623-486-9918
La Quinta Inn & Suites: 16321 N. 83rd Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382 Phone: 800-531-5900, 623-487-1900
Residence Inn: 8435 W. Paradise Lane.
Peoria, AZ 85382 Phone: 800-331-3131, 623-979-2074
Extended Stay America: 7345 W. Bell Road.
Peoria, AZ 85382 Phone: 800-398-7829, 623-487-0020
Grand Inn Hotel & RV Park: 8955 NW Grand Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85345 Phone: 800-572-9295, 623-979-7200
Holiday Inn Suites: 16771 N. 84th St.
Peoria, AZ 85380 Phone: 800-HOLIDAY, 623-933-1633
Quality Inn & Suites at Talavi: 5511 W Bell Road.
Glendale, AZ 85308 Phone: 877-982-5284, 602-896-8900, www.qisphoenix.com
Packages and tours
springtrainingvacation.com: 800-553-4108
springtrainingtours.com: 800-892-7687
sportsworldtours.com: 800-634-2555
Resources
Peoria Chamber of Commerce: 623-979-3601.
Peoria Sports Complex box office: 800-409-1511, 623-878-4337 (tickets cannot be purchased via phone from the box office. Tickets are available by phone through Ticketmaster, 206-628-0888, 480-784-4444).
Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau: 520-624-1817.
peoriaarizona.com: Useful site with information about hotels, restaurants and entertainment in Peoria.
allaboutphoenix.com: Everything you need to know about the Phoenix area.
arizonaguide.com: Good spot for expanding your search to include other cities and areas in Arizona.
mariners.org: The official Mariners Web site.
Restaurants
Miracle Mile Deli: 3110 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-277-4783 (Cafeteria-style deli that creates mountainous sandwiches and hearty soups. Go for the Straw sandwich).
Don and Charlies: 7501 E. Camelback Road., Scottsdale, 480-990-0900. (Famous for BBQ ribs, and chicken, steaks and seafood).
Texas Roadhouse: 16079 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center, Peoria, 623-486-9093 (Steaks, chicken and lots of BBQ items).
Barros Pizza: Many locations in Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe.
El Charro Cafe: 311 N. Court Ave., Tucson, 520-622-1922 (Family-owned, eclectic Southwest cafe has served the city since 1922. Don't miss out on the carne seca).
Texas Land and Cattle Steakhouse: 1622 South Stapley Drive, Mesa, 480-890-8200 (Big steaks and chops).
Golf courses
(There are a wide range of golf courses to play in Arizona. Here are some top choices of course to play during spring training.)
The Legend at Arrowhead: 21027 N. 67th St., Glendale. Green fees: $75 Monday-Thursday, $85 Friday-Sunday. Details: 623-561-1902.
Hillcrest Golf Club: 20002 North Star Ridge, Sun City West. Green fees: $59 Monday-Sunday, $34, after 1 p.m. Details: 623-584-1500.
Coyote Lakes: 18800 N. Coyote Lakes Parkway, Surprise. Green fees: $49 Monday-Thursday, $59 Friday-Sunday, $35 after 1 p.m. Details: 623-566-2323.
Westbrook Village Lakes Course, 19260 N. Westbrook Parkway, Peoria. Green fees: $69 weekdays, $60 weekends. Details: 623-566-3439.
The 500 Club, 4707 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale. Green fees: $67 Monday-Thursday, $72 Friday-Sunday. Rates include a cart. Details: 623-492-9500.