Surprise Snapshot

Did you know that the City of Surprise was named by Homer Ludden whose home town was Surprise, Nebraska? Surprise was incorporated December 12, 1960 and had a population of 1,000. Surprise is now a vibrant and fast growing community in the Northwest Salt River Valley in "Valley of the Sun" with over 100,000 residents.

45 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Surprise is surrounded by mountain park lands, the White Tank Mountains, a regional lake and the beautiful Sonoran desert. Residents have a large choice of activities including, water fun at the Aquatic Center, with waterfalls and slides, attending or playing on the fields at the new Dream Catcher Park, the city's first all-access sports facility, hike or bike in the White Tank Mountains, or hit the links on one of the eight beautifully groomed golf courses.

Surprise is the Cactus League Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers, as well as the Surprise entry into the Fall Baseball League. The professional football Arizona Cardinals, University of Phoenix Stadium, and the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, Jobing.Com arena, is a short 20 minute drive from the heart of Surprise.

The progressive City of Surprise has vibrant Southwest living with family values and where traditions are being built. The city has many distinctive neighborhoods and a small town atmosphere but big city amenities.