On March 3, the San Francisco Giants take the field at Scottsdale Stadium for the 2012 season of Cactus League spring training. Opening day marks the 56th season of spring training in Scottsdale and also kicks off the six-time World Series Champions’ 29th year at the stadium.

Spring training is a major draw for Scottsdale visitors. Last year, more than 160,570 people attended 17 Giants home games. That’s nearly 9,500 people per game! Scottsdale Stadium even consistently ranks in the top three best-attended stadiums for Cactus League.

And we have the Scottsdale Charros to thank for all the fun.

In 1961, a group of nine local businessmen got together for a meeting at Hotel Valley Ho. Their mission: find a way to make spring training in Scottsdale stand out above the rest.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, the Scottsdale Charros have moved beyond just promoting Cactus League to become one of Scottsdale’s leading philanthropic organizations. Spring training is their top mode of fundraising.

So after nearly 60 years of organizing one of Scottsdale’s most popular events, you would expect Charros members to know a thing or two about what makes Scottsdale such a prime spring training getaway. Here’s what they said :

“Scottsdale is the ideal spot for spring training because it’s as if the city was built around the ballpark. It’s within walking distance of the best dining and nightlife spots in downtown. Everything is so easily accessible.” – George Adams

“Scottsdale is like a gigantic entertainment melting pot. It has a little bit of everything mixed together. You have great weather, bars, restaurants, golf, shopping, and Major League baseball all rolled into one!” – Paul Seivert

“Besides being the only stadium in Arizona surrounded by shopping and entertainment, Scottsdale Stadium has some of the most unbelievable views around. You can see Camelback Mountain from there.” – Dave Westra

Panoramic views and endless options for fun in downtown Scottsdale? All in all, not such a bad choice.

Fun Facts about Spring Training in Scottsdale

• The city’s signature event got its start when the Baltimore Orioles moved to downtown Scottsdale from Yuma, Ariz. in 1956.
• Don & Charlie’s and Pink Pony Steakhouse are restaurants that double as baseball museums thanks to their vast memorabilia collections.
• The original Scottsdale Stadium was built in 1956 and over the years has hosted teams like the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s.