The Best of Central & Western Arizona - American Southwest - page 524

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Lake Havasu was formed in 1938 by the building of the Parker Dam, but it wasn't
until 1963 that McCulloch founded the town of Lake Havasu City. In the town's early
years, not too many people were keen on spending time in this remote corner of the
desert, where summer temperatures are often over 110°F (43°C). It was then that
McCulloch began looking for ways to attract more people to his little “city” on the lake.
His solution proved to be a stroke of genius.
Today, Lake Havasu City attracts an odd mix of visitors. In winter, the town is filled
with retirees. On weekends, during the summer, and over spring break, however, Lake
Havasu City is popular with Arizona college students and the water-ski and personal-
watercraft crowds. Expect lots of noise on weekends and holidays.

ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE From Phoenix, take I-10 west to Ariz. 95 north. From Las Vegas,
take U.S. 95 south, to I-40 east, to Ariz. 95 south.
The Havasu/Vegas Express ( & 800/459-4884 or 928/453-4884; www.havasuvegas
express.com) operates a shuttle van between Lake Havasu City and Las Vegas. Fares are
$58 one-way and $104 round-trip ($53 and $95 for seniors).
VISITOR INFORMATION For more information on this area, contact the Lake
Havasu Convention & Visitors Bureau, 314 London Bridge Rd. ( & 800/242-8278 or
928/453-3444; www.golakehavasu.com), which has a visitor center ( & 928/855-5655 )
in English Village at the foot of the London Bridge. This visitor center is open Monday
through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
GETTING AROUND For car rentals, try Avis ( & 800/331-1212 or 928/764-3001),
Enterprise ( & 800/261-7331 or 928/453-0033), or Hertz ( & 800/654-3131 or 928/
764-3994).
LONDON BRIDGE
Back in the mid-1960s, when London Bridge was sinking into the Thames River due to
heavy car and truck traffic, the British government decided to sell the bridge. Robert
McCulloch and his partner paid nearly $2.5 million for it and had it shipped 10,000
miles to Lake Havasu City. Reconstruction of the bridge was begun in 1968, and the
grand reopening was held in 1971.
At the base of the bridge sits English Village, which is done up in proper English style
and has shops, restaurants, and a waterfront promenade. You'll find several cruise boats
and boat-rental docks here, as well as the chamber of commerce's visitor center.
Unfortunately, the London Bridge is not very impressive as bridges go, and the tacky
commercialization of its surroundings makes it something of a letdown for many visitors.
On top of that, over the years the jolly olde England styling that once predominated
around here has been supplanted by a Mexican beach-bar aesthetic designed to appeal to
partying college students on spring break.

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LAND, LAKE & RIVER TOURS
Several companies offer different types of boat tours on Lake Havasu. Bluewater Jet
Boat Tours ( & 888/855-7171 or 928/855-7171; www.coloradoriverjetboattours.com)
runs jet-boat tours that leave from the London Bridge and spend 2 1 / 2 hours cruising up
the Colorado River to the Topock Gorge, a scenic area 25 miles from Lake Havasu City.
The cost is $38 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $20 for children 5 to 12. You can also go