Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [367]
Evangelo's Scordato's Restaurant
4405 W. Speedway Blvd. ☎ 520/792-3055. Reservations recommended. Main courses $15–$26. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 5–10pm. FRENCH/MEDITERRANEAN.
Located near Saguaro West, this restaurant looks a bit like a lost Italian villa searching for the Mediterranean coast, with saguaros standing next to cypresses out front. Inside, plush carpets, comfortable brocade chairs, and big windows allow diners to enjoy desert views in comfort. The extensive menu includes an eclectic mix, from lamb to fowl to seafood. We especially recommend the veal dishes, such as veal Oscar, topped with fluffy crabmeat and tangy hollandaise with avocado. There's an extensive wine list.
Little Anthony's Diner
7010 E. Broadway Blvd. ☎ 520/296-0456. Burgers and sandwiches $4–$7. MC, V. Mon 11am–9pm; Tues–Thurs 11am–10pm; Fri 11am–11pm; Sat 10:30am–11pm; Sun 10:30am–10pm. AMERICAN.
This is a great place for kids, although kids at heart will also enjoy the 1950s music and decor. The staff is good with children, and there's a video-game room and a rocket-ship ride outside. How about a Jailhouse Rock Burger or Hound Dog Hot Dog with a tower of onion rings? Or an old-fashioned banana split or a hand-dipped shake? Daily specials and bottomless soft drinks make feeding the family fairly inexpensive. Beer and wine are also served. Most nights after 5pm, a DJ entertains.
Tucson McGraw's
4110 S. Houghton Rd. ☎ 520/885-3088. www.tucsonmcgraws.com. Reservations accepted for large parties only. Main courses $4.50–$21. AE, MC, V. Mon–Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm. AMERICAN.
Owned by Lex McGraw since the early 1980s, this eatery is a southeast Tucson institution and a favorite of the Saguaro National Park staff. A friendly vibe complements the roadhouse atmosphere. The menu revolves around meat—ribs, burgers, steaks—and cold beer, although the menu also includes some good salads and what might be considered more healthy fare. The margaritas are some of Tucson's best, as are the homemade desserts, such as coconut cream pie.
Picnic & Camping Supplies
Although there are no stores within the park's boundaries, you'll find plenty of places to stock up on supplies in the Tucson area. Recommended for basic groceries are the numerous supermarkets, including Albertson's Food & Drug, 6363 E. 22nd St. (☎ 520/571-9091; www.albertsons.com). For camping, hiking, backpacking, and mountain-biking gear, as well as tips on outdoor recreation locations, stop at Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway Blvd. (☎ 520/325-1554), which is open daily.
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SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
by Don & Barbara Laine and Eric Peterson
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRA NEVADA, JUST SOUTH OF YOSEMITE, ARE Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, home to the largest giant sequoia trees in the world, vast wilderness areas, and a deep, beautiful canyon. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are separate adjacent parks that are managed jointly; combined, they exceed Yosemite in size. Their peaks stretch across 1,350 square miles and include 14,494-foot Mount Whitney, the tallest point in the continental United States. The parks are also home to the Kaweah Range, a string of dark, beautiful mountains nestled amid the Sierra, and three powerful rivers: the Kings, Kern, and Kaweah. Despite their size and scenic beauty, these two parks attract less than half the number of Yosemite's annual visitors, making them a welcome alternative for those looking to avoid huge crowds.
The parks owe their existence to a small band of determined 19th-century conservationists. Alarmed by the wholesale destruction of the region's sequoia forests, these farsighted people pushed to make the area a protected park. Finally, Sequoia National Park was created in 1890, along with the tiny General Grant National Park, which was established to protect Grant Grove. In 1926, the park was