Arcosanti. City of the future? Oasis in the desert? One thing’s for sure, it’s in the middle of the Arizona desert, miles from absolutely nothing. Where no one can hear you scream. Somehow, my twisted mind thought “LET’S DO IT!” So, we flew from LGB (Long Beach Airport) To PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor) to see what beautiful or dangerous things we can encounter at Arcosanti.
What is Arcosanti? A Brief History
Arcosanti was built as a social experiment. Originally it was supposed to house a community of five thousand people. A mini-city of self-sustainability. It would have its own waste management and leave a minimal footprint on the planet. The idea is one that most people can agree with and stand behind.
The architecture was created to blend into its surroundings. It’s supposed to be the city of the future.
Today it’s inhabited by a commune of hippies (I use this term loosely. It’s not a commune), that volunteer to run its coffee shop, art center, teach pottery classes and make bells for the community. It sounds like a small cult, I know, but since I consider myself a Santa Cruzian (a community of communal hippies) I thought it would bring back memories and feel like home. I wanted to experience it.
Among other self-sustaining facts, the community does have its own waste management system, a greenhouse for veggies and a community pool for their hot season. They strive to keep the community as self-sustained as possible.
Getting to Arcosanti
As you’re probably aware, Arizona is full of desert and Arcosanti is smack-dab in the middle of it. Located in Yavapai County, the only way to get to this remote oasis is to drive. We rented a car in Phoenix and drove one hour north-east, towards Flagstaff Arizona.
The ride to Arcosanti is really interesting. People don’t understand the landscape of Arizona, especially if you’ve never driven through or visited. As it turns out, Arizona was part of an aquatic ecosystem, with canyons, lush green valleys and even islands above the water’s surface (back when the dinosaurs existed.) The most interesting part is knowing what to look for. As you begin your drive, you start to ascend. As you do, the vegetation changes from dirt and rocks, to cactus that only grow in Arizona. After a while there is shrubbery. If you continue going, you eventually hit forest and tall trees, but we didn’t go that far.
I eventually got lost lost. Even though the signs point me in the right direction. It didn’t feel right. I put SIRI on just in case. Siri tells me to get off the freeway and turn left on a dirt path. I’m not sure where I’m going but there is an open gate and an old sign that says “Arcosanti.”
The dirt path continues as you loop around a few dirt fields. It’s desert as far as the eyes can see. Eventually, I see a few cows staring ominously at me. I see a structure in the distance, but to be honest, it looks like a small structure and I begin to wonder if I’m really in the correct place.
Upon arrival you realize Arcosanti is built into the canyon. It’s supposed to look like its environment. An eye sore, it is not, that’s for sure.
The Hippy Commune That Was…
The interesting thing about Arcosanti (there are lots of interesting things about Arcosanti but bare with me here) is the hippy nature of it all. We arrive at the guest parking facilities and walk into the art center and main lobby.
A gentle lady greets us at check-in. Clearly family (as in LGBT family.) I say hello and she proceeds to walk me through the check-in process. She grabs a giant notebook and looks for our name. As she checks it off she gives me my new discounted rate and guides us on how to get to our room. (Our room was $45 for the night, even though the website said it was more… but it’s cool… I’ll take $45.)
We drive down the canyon, on a dirt road. The road is so small, there’s no space for oncoming traffic. I’m not sure how multiple cars get up and down at the same time. Does someone plummet to their deaths at that point?
We park our car, get out and observe the scenery around us. It’s beautiful. I am in a canyon filled with interesting artistic artifacts, a building that looks oddly 70’s, and beautiful desert greenery. I can smell the nature. It’s peaceful. Away from traffic and city lights… I am going to enjoy this. It’s only for one night, and we are headed to Sedona for dinner anyway.
Arcosanti Review
There are many similarities between the architecture of Arcosanti and the architecture at the University of California Santa Cruz, where I sprouted my hippy wings and began to fly. It has a very modular 70s feel, considering it was constructed in the 70’s.
The hippy volunteers here and the hippies in Santa Cruz are one and the same too. Although, I have to say there were a few new-age hippies at Arcosanti. They wore alien hats and crystals around their necks. The Santa Cruz hippies were less about superficiality. No shoes, no shirt? Come on in! That seemed to be the major difference between the hippies here and Santa Cruz. I liked the Santa Cruz hippies better but I’m not complaining. It’s just an observation.
The place is pretty cool. If you’re inside the main art center or dining area the views are amazing. It’s great to be inside some of the cube’s that create this structure as you hang over the canyon looking at desert beauty. Here, they offer a continental breakfast for a donation. However, for holidays they offer an omelet option. It’s cheap and easy and it feels almost like a college dining hall.
Santa Cruz is the complete opposite in this instance. Arcosanti is inside a desert canyon. UC Santa Cruz is inside the redwood forest in California.
As you walk through the back of the dining area, you come across a few living spaces, the half-dome where they make the bells and an amphitheater that looks almost exactly like the one in Santa Cruz.
Considering that Arcosanti is inside a canyon, there are several small hiking trails one can take to kill some time. You can also climb the canyon but be careful, I don’t think you’re supposed to which means climb at your own risk.
Some of the paths end at interesting artifacts that look strategically placed but very neat and totally photo worthy. There is a chimney, or maybe it’s part of an old structure. It’s the perfect place for a bonfire or a midnight scary story campfire.
There is another trail that leads to a “sun deck.” I recommend this trail. At the end you can see a panoramic view of the entire facility. It’s something to behold!
The Rooms
I can’t tell you about all the rooms. I believe they’re all different. Some have a shared restroom while others are more dorm-like. We got a dorm-like room. It had a total of three beds and one restroom. It has floor-to-ceiling windows but no AC, which is weird considering it’s the middle of the desert. I’m glad it wasn’t 120 degrees. The showers are basic but worked fine, even though they have a sign that tells you to have patience with the water pressure.
There’s a small vanity outside the restroom and a couple of wardrobe for your clothes and luggage. Considering we were only there for the night, this was perfect.
The windows opened at the top for some airflow. However, I do have to say the walls are thin. We could hear everyone’s conversation.
Night was beautiful considering they have minimal artificial light, which makes the starts shine bright.
Let Me Break It Down For You:
Do I recommend it? Only if you’re into hippy stuff and natural beauty. I was here for one night and honestly I think one night was enough for me. I lived in an environment like this for four years and that was fantastic… Perhaps that’s just how life evolves.
Prices range per room. We paid $45 for the night.
The breakfast buffet, although usually it’s continental style, is as much as you want to pay (donation only.) On holidays they have a set price for omelets and such.
Arcosanti is perfect for a retreat or digital detox vacation.
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