Ellsworth Springs in Mesa Arizona: 55+ Living Near East Mesa's Best Bakeries, Eats and Adventures

East Mesa is one of the most popular corners of the Valley for active retirees and snowbirds, and Ellsworth Springs sits right in the middle of it. This gated 55+ manufactured home community is located at 652 S Ellsworth Road, Mesa, AZ 85208, just south of the Ellsworth and Broadway intersection, with a grocery store practically next door and the Superstition Mountains filling the eastern skyline.

Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city, and its east side blends everyday convenience with quick access to desert parks, lakes, farms and Wild West history. Here is what life looks like inside Ellsworth Springs, followed by a local guide to the best bakeries, restaurants and things to do nearby.

Ellsworth Springs, a gated 55+ community on South Ellsworth Road in Mesa.

Inside Ellsworth Springs: Gated 55+ Living in East Mesa

Ellsworth Springs is an age-restricted 55+ active adult community made up of low-maintenance manufactured homes. Residents describe a friendly, personable neighborhood, and the community manager lives on site, so help is never far away. A full calendar of activities and events makes it easy for newcomers to settle in and meet neighbors quickly.

Amenities and Activities

• Community clubhouse for events, potlucks and get-togethers
• Heated swimming pool and spa
• Fitness center and fitness classes
• Pickleball, bocce ball, shuffleboard and a horseshoe pit
• Billiards, card games and a library
• Dog park, because pets are welcome here

Homes for Seasonal or Year-Round Living

Ellsworth Springs offers a variety of floor plans to suit different budgets, most with two bedrooms and one or two baths. The mix includes established resale homes, many sold fully furnished, along with newer manufactured homes built in recent years. Covered decks and front porches are common, which is perfect for morning coffee and Arizona sunsets. Whether you want a seasonal escape or a full-time home, it is one of the more affordable ways to enjoy gated 55+ living in Mesa. All prospective buyers are approved through community management. See current listings on the Ellsworth Springs homes for sale page, the full amenities list and the photo gallery.

A heated pool, clubhouse and courts keep residents active at Ellsworth Springs.

East Mesa Bakeries Worth the Drive

PIEfection

Tucked into a small strip at 6731 E Brown Road, PIEfection has been called the number one pie shop in Mesa for more than a decade. It started in 2012 as a small bakery with everything homemade and now bakes more than 70 varieties, from country apple and blueberry to coconut cream, savory pot pies, quiches and no-sugar-added options. Buy by the slice or take home a whole pie for the next clubhouse potluck.

Cinnaholic

Just south of the US 60 at 1252 S Signal Butte Road, Cinnaholic lets you build your own cinnamon roll with a long list of frostings and toppings. The bakery also makes scratch brownies, cookies and edible cookie dough, and its rolls are plant-based, which makes it a handy stop for neighbors with dairy or egg restrictions.

Pied Piper Bakery

At 1356 S Gilbert Road, Pied Piper Bakery hand-crafts sweet and savory pies, cheesecakes, tarts, pot pies and quiches. It is a natural stop if you are heading west toward Gilbert or downtown Mesa.

Covered decks and porches are made for Arizona sunsets.

Where to Eat Near Ellsworth Springs

Organ Stop Pizza

Organ Stop Pizza is less a pizza parlor than a Mesa landmark. Its Mighty Wurlitzer, originally built in 1927 for the Denver Theatre, has been expanded into the largest Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ ever created, with nearly 6,000 pipes. Each night the console rises on a hydraulic lift above a 700-seat dining room while organists take requests, from classical to Broadway to pop. Find it at 1149 E Southern Avenue, and bring out-of-town guests.

Uncle Bear's Grill and Tap

Close to home at 9053 E Baseline Road, near Baseline and Ellsworth, this local favorite has been serving the East Valley for 25 years. It is a casual, dog-themed spot named for a beloved Labrador mix, with burgers, prime rib and its own line of craft beers. Dogs are welcome on the patio, which makes it a good match for Ellsworth Springs pet owners.

Del Piero Kitchen at Queen Creek Olive Mill

Head south to 25062 S Meridian Road in Queen Creek for lunch at Arizona's only working olive mill. The Del Piero Kitchen serves Italian-inspired sandwiches, salads and antipasti, and its kalamata sandwich was featured on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Pair lunch with a mill tour and an olive oil tasting, then shop the marketplace for oils, tapenades and local goods.

Schnepf Farms

Right next door to the olive mill at 24810 S Rittenhouse Road, Schnepf Farms has been in the same family since 1941. The farm has a bakery and country store famous for its peach pie, plus seasonal festivals and U-pick gardens. Its holiday event, Christmas at Schnepf Farms, turns the property into a winter wonderland complete with an ice rink. Check the farm's schedule before you go, since hours vary by season.

Ellsworth Springs puts East Valley dining and farm country within easy reach.

Things to Do and See Near Ellsworth Springs

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Drive north on Ellsworth Road and you will reach the main entrance to Usery Mountain Regional Park, a 3,648-acre desert park with roughly 29 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Pick up a trail map at the nature center, try an easy loop through saguaro forest or climb the popular Wind Cave Trail for views across the entire East Valley. Rangers lead guided hikes in the cooler months, and the park charges a per-vehicle entry fee.

See the Salt River Wild Horses

Northeast of Mesa along scenic Bush Highway, bands of wild horses graze the banks of the Lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. Coon Bluff is the best-known viewing spot, with Phon D. Sutton and Goldfield recreation areas close by. Go early in the morning for the best chances and the fewest crowds, and be sure to buy a Tonto Pass before you park at any of the recreation sites.

Mesa Market Place Swap Meet

A few miles south at 10550 E Baseline Road, the Mesa Market Place Swap Meet has been an East Valley weekend tradition since 1996. Billed as Arizona's largest flea market and swap meet, it hosts hundreds of local vendors selling home decor, patio furniture, Southwest gifts and more, plus a food court with live music. It is open Friday through Sunday during the busy winter season, and admission and parking are free.

Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum

At Falcon Field Airport, 2017 N Greenfield Road, this hands-on aviation museum displays aircraft spanning more than a century of American combat aviation, including the B-17G Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey. Falcon Field itself trained roughly 2,000 Royal Air Force cadets during World War II, and the museum honors that history with a dedicated display. Cockpit tours are available for an added fee.

Superstition Mountain Museum and the Elvis Chapel

A short drive east on the Apache Trail in Apache Junction, the Superstition Mountain Museum tells the true and legendary stories of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, with maps that supposedly lead to the treasure, a 20-stamp gold mill and a nature trail with mountain views. The grounds also hold the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel, a movie set from Charro! that survived the fire at the old Apacheland Movie Ranch. Goldfield Ghost Town and Lost Dutchman State Park are just up the road, so you can easily make a day of it.

From desert trails to Wild West history, east Mesa keeps every day interesting.

Why Ellsworth Springs Makes Sense for 55+ Buyers

Ellsworth Springs delivers what many retirees look for in east Mesa: a gated, pet-friendly 55+ community with a heated pool, fitness classes and an on-site manager, all at a price point that leaves room in the budget for pie runs, swap meet treasures and weekend drives to the Superstitions. With groceries around the corner, Usery Mountain straight up Ellsworth Road and the Salt River a scenic drive away, it is an easy place to call home for the winter or for good.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ellsworth Springs

Where is Ellsworth Springs in Mesa, AZ?

Ellsworth Springs is at 652 S Ellsworth Road, Mesa, AZ 85208, just south of Ellsworth Road and Broadway Road in east Mesa.

Is Ellsworth Springs a 55+ community?

Yes. Ellsworth Springs is a gated, age-restricted 55+ active adult community featuring manufactured homes.

Does Ellsworth Springs allow pets?

Yes. Pets are welcome, and the community has its own dog park. Contact the community for specific pet guidelines.

What amenities does Ellsworth Springs have?

Amenities include a clubhouse, heated pool and spa, fitness center, library, dog park, pickleball, bocce ball, shuffleboard, billiards, card games and a horseshoe pit.

What are the best bakeries near Ellsworth Springs?

Nearby favorites include PIEfection on Brown Road, Cinnaholic on Signal Butte Road, Pied Piper Bakery on Gilbert Road and the farm bakery at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek.