When you find gems, you appreciate them. You relish the time you have to spend with them. You are
grateful for the beauty, the feeling it brings.
That is how we feel about Lake Havasu, our oasis in the high desert of western Arizona.
If you start talking about taking your boat across the desert, a lot of people think you are nuts. That is
ok, we can keep our little secret to ourselves – 400 miles of coastline, 60 miles of waterways that are
all navigable. Add to that the water is a comfortable temperature to ski, boat, fish, swim, raft, kayak,
canoe, tube, well, you get the idea. With 300 days of sunshine a year, Lake Havasu is an outdoors
paradise, a spot of life and energy where the beautiful high mountain desert touches the mighty
Colorado.
Lake Havasu became possible due to the dam systems put along the Colorado to gain irrigation and
drinking water for cities. It just happens when the largest reservoir below the Parker Dam became a
reality, Arizona suddenly had a “west coast” that beckoned to be explored and enjoyed. People are
special in Lake Havasu. Many started coming here to vacation on weekends, and liked it so much
they stayed.
There is a lot to do here and some of our events are a little…. different. You might even call us
downright wacky. Where else do they have Chihuahua races? Our community offers a lot for tourists,
many coming to boat. Shops, upscale boutiques, and many a nice restaurant Lake Havasu offers to a
very eclectic group of visitors.
Since we are so close to the border, as well as on the line with California (and have some amazing
sunsets over the mountains across the lake to prove it), we celebrate the first settlers to the area,
those being the First Nations and our Hispanic neighbors. Originally part of Mexico, Lake Havasu
enjoys a climate similar to some parts of old Mexico. Because of that, you will find a variety of
restaurants in Lake Havasu, but only a few really good, authentic, Mexican restaurants.
One thing Lake Havasu is not is pretentious. We do take a lot of pride in offering a clean town with
beautiful landscaping, parking in restaurant lots that will hold your boat in tow, and other things not
often found in a semi-resort and retirement town. That is why when we find a gem like a really
authentic Mexican restaurant Lake Havasu locals frequent, we are really glad, as it is part of our
heritage here. Some restaurants try to be sort of Tex-Mex, but authentic is fresh food, hand made
tortillas, and giant margaritas made with fresh base. Lots of seafood, fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs,
chicken and pork are on the menu too. And true to home, art, furniture, music, all help educate our
young and foreign visitors about our diverse population and unique area of the country.
Next time you come to visit, we know being on the water makes you really hungry. Check out a real
Mexican restaurant that give you big portions and fresh, hand made food. Bring the kids. It will be a
truly cultural visit that you will come back for again and again, as it is wonderful and tasty to find the
real thing.
