Arizona's Affordable Yuma Suburb Is A Vibrant Escape With Cultural Flair, Festivals, And Authentic Eats

A small city with oodles of sunshine and attractions, Yuma, Arizona offers both residents and visitors a taste of the simple life. But if you want all of the desirable benefits of Yuma without the busyness that comes with the city proper, you might want to check out nearby Somerton instead. With a surprising roster of culture, authentic eateries, and a notable number of festivals each year, Somerton is quite the contender among all the places to live in Arizona.

Just 20 minutes south of Yuma, Somerton is a vibrant, affordable suburb where the cost of housing is 25% lower than the national average. Considerably smaller than Yuma, with just under 15,000 people calling it home, it's 12 miles from the United States/Mexico border and famous for its year-round farms. The stable, highly-livable climate is the driving force behind its farming success: While summers are hot (often reaching 105 degrees or more), winters are quite mild (typically with an average low of 60 degrees and an average high of 71 degrees), enabling year-round growing. The area is known as the sunniest place in the world, and the moniker fits — there's sunshine about 91% of the time. This climate was incredibly helpful to the people who lived here centuries ago, whom Somerton honors in many ways. 

The town is intimately connected with its Native American roots, being the ancestral land of the Cocopah Indian Tribe. This heritage seeps into many aspects of Somerton, with some examples being the Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center, and the aforementioned festivals the town is beloved for. It's also ever-present in the local cuisine, with some truly authentic diamonds hidden in the rough.

What is now Yuma County, Arizona, was occupied by the Cocopah Tribe (known as the River People) for thousands of years. Today, the town of Somerton remains deeply proud of this history. The Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center is an excellent way to learn about the rich heritage of the area, offering a one-and-a-half acre park complete with an authentic reproduction of an ancient Cocopah home. Admire traditional tattoos and ponder the honors required to earn them, then check out some genuine articles of clothing and consider what it might have felt like to wear them in the desert sun. You'll also find authentic artwork by tribe members in the gift shop! Entry is free, though donations are highly recommended by visitors. Guided tours are available by appointment. The museum's operating days and times vary by season, so check the website. If you time your visit just right, you can also attend one of the many cultural events Somerton hosts year-round.

Somerton's festivals reinforce the sense of community that keeps the town close-knit. The most famous is the Somerton Tamale Festival, which often sees up to 30,000 attendees. Featuring a full day of traditional music and dancing atop a plethora of mouthwatering tamales from various regional cultures to enjoy, it's an annual highlight for Arizonans, as well as out-of-state visitors on the third Saturday of every December. It's Arizona's biggest festival dedicated entirely to the ancient culinary art of the tamale. 

Don't simply plan on attending the Tamale festival in the winter and calling it a year. Plan to attend others, too. The Greater Days Parade and Food Festival takes place in early spring and honors Somerton's anniversary. With unique floats in a big parade, vendors, live bands, and all the delicious local food you can dream of — including a contest to decide whose is the best — you'll want to bring your appetite and be ready for a full day of shenanigans. Other events to take note of include the Dia del Nino celebration, and the Somerton Arts Festival. 

Somerton is home to a selection of highly-rated restaurants, many of which are conveniently located right on Main Street.  Several are known for being deliciously authentic, from the ingredients to the preparation and presentation. There's a handful of Mexican and Southwestern fusion joints in Somerton so you might even be able to try them all. Like anywhere else, a few standouts deserve mentioning. 

La Cabaña Breakfast & Grill, which has an impressive 4.4 stars on Google, is open seven days a week and offers excellent breakfast options from authentic family recipes. Reviews say the food tastes homemade, and the dining room feels like abuela's house. For dinner Asadero Campas has rave reviews with 4.1 stars on Google. It's no-frills setting lets the food shine, with one diner stating, "The food is like being in Mexico; there is no taco shop in Yuma County as good as this." Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth at The Spot Ice Cream, a local jewel that recently relocated from Yuma to Somerton. Try the freshly house-made churros or a "raspado" (a traditional Mexican shaved ice). Other highly-rated eateries include Bodega 23, which boasts an impressive 4.9 stars on Google. 

If you can't get enough, no worries — Southern Arizona is full of fun destinations. Right next to Yuma is an underrated Arizona park with immersive historical exhibits and Colorado River views. And did you know that there's wine country in Yuma, Arizona? It's true. An Arizona hilltop boasts a breathtaking vineyard with valley views that could easily be mistaken for Italy. Finally, if Somerton is just your type of place, it's not the only suburb worth celebrating. You'll also want to know that just outside Yuma is Arizona's up-and-coming suburb with mountain views and relaxed vibes.