About us

I flew to Arizona nearly 20 years ago for a job interview, and never left …

We’re building the information on this website, hoping to provide the insight you need to “know before you go. “

Our posts are designed for:

  • My neighbors in Phoenix, looking for day trips.
  • Over-heated desert dwellers looking to cool-off in the summer.
  • Winter visitors looking to defrost.
  • Seniors and “snowbirds” looking for activities.
  • Families looking for kid-friendly options.
  • Repeat visitors looking for new destinations.
  • People from around the world, wondering if Havasu Falls really is that blue.

I’m Jared Dillingham, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and travel writer based in Phoenix, Arizona. I’ve worked as a television journalist for nearly 20 years at CBS5 and 3TV, covering stories in Arizona, across the country, and around the world.

Beyond the newsroom, I’m out hiking and exploring both iconic sites and hidden gems, passing along practical travel advice I learn along the way. I also run a global travel site: JaredsDetours.com, with my friend and photographer, Matt Ehnes.

My insights have been featured in publications like Canvas Rebel, Voyage Phoenix, Bold Journey, and Phoenix Magazine, as well as on TV stations nationwide.

Tourism boards from Montana to Mexico, and global brands like Jimmy Lion have showcased my travel recommendations.

Sustainability is a key focus in many of my trips outside Arizona. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with organizations like 4Ocean, the Rainforest Alliance, the Aquiares Coffee Farm, and the eco-friendly Guldsmeden Hotels to highlight conservation efforts and responsible travel.

While Arizona is home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon State is so much more!

In addition to the diversity of Arizona’s climate (our ski resorts are often open from Thanksgiving through Memorial Day) the state is home to some of the most unique landscapes and awe-inspiring views in the world.  

You’ve heard of Sedona’s iconic red rocks, but have you seen the jenga-style rocks nearby?

Antelope Canyon’s wavy orange walls are globally-known, but have you seen the other-worldly White Pocket formation in the area?

We’re your guide to both the well-known Arizona “must-see sites” and the off-the-beaten-path hidden gems.   

Along the way, we give tribute to the 22 Native American tribes in Arizona, the Wild West history, and the Mexican influence from our neighbors to the south.