The city was founded in 1938 by Flora Mae Statler, who gave it its unique name because she “would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much!” Although there were only a handful of houses and one gas station on the one-mile-square parcel of land when it was subdivided to build inexpensive houses for agricultural workers, Surprise has experienced tremendous growth in the years since and is one of the fastest-growing communities in the entire United States! It was incorporated into a city in 1960 and now has a total area of 85.6 square miles. A very popular draw to the community is Sun City Grand, a resort-like, age-restricted community with homes built by the property development firm Del Webb. Surprise is located about five miles northwest of Del Webb’s original Sun City development and is adjacent to Sun City West. Situated in the northwest portion of The Valley of the Sun, Surprise is just a short, 20-minute drive from downtown Phoenix.
It is part of the Cactus League, and Surprise Stadium is the Spring Training home to two Major League Baseball teams – the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals. Fans can enjoy an exciting game at the stadium and then relax in a local restaurant or tavern afterward. The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex (STRC) hosts various professional events throughout the year, including the Outback Champion Series tour, a USTA Pro Circuit event, and numerous USTA regional and sectional events. Guests of the STRC can also play a few sets themselves! The West Valley Art Museum is an interesting and fun place to explore, as is the awesome White Tank Mountain Regional Park, where visitors can view ancient petroglyphs, hike, ride bikes, and go horseback riding. When you have the chance, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the friendly city of Surprise. Hotels in the area allow you to stay conveniently close by to where you want to be. When you stay at Choice Hotels, you can enjoy affordable rates, many amenities, and friendly service. Reserve your room today! We look forward to hosting you soon!