One of the most beautiful destinations in the world: Sedona, Arizona! How blessed are we to have a home a three and a half hour drive from a place that has become one of our favorite vacation locations! Living in such close proximity, we can attest (by way of a cliché) that winter, summer, spring or fall - Sedona really has it all!
No matter from which direction you enter Sedona, as you draw closer to the valley, the breathtaking red rocks start to become visible! Having visited so many times, we of course “revisit” favorite activities and sights. But part of the beauty is that no matter how many times we explore the area, we seem to find a new view, restaurant or hike. Our most recent trip was the discovery of the unique perspective from Schnebly Hill - a short trek up from Tlaquepaque. From that parking area, several hiking paths can be accessed through the red rocks - views not typically seen on postcards. The car ride up to the top of Oak Creek Canyon is always worth the trip as is making a stop at Slide Rock State Park for that short walk - even if the water is too cold for your liking to take a dip!
The layout of the area is reminiscent of a horseshoe shape with Oak Creek Village on one side, West Sedona on the other, while Tlaquepaque and Creekside anchor the curve which extends to Uptown. Restaurants are numerous and range from elegant Italian and Latin cuisine to buffalo burgers and pizza. Breakfasts are also in abundance with local favorite Coffee Pot Restaurant in West Sedona to Creekside American Bistro, which not surprisingly overlooks the creek from the outdoor dining deck. In Oak Creek Village, nestled in Clark’s Market plaza, is the Red Rock Cafe - with a bright diner-like atmosphere, outstanding food and 70s music like Simon and Garfunkel on the sound system. Heading away from Sedona toward Cottonwood, there are several wineries lining the road that provide tastings and pairing fare - with Javelina Leap, Winery and Bistro as one of our personal favorites.
Hiking abounds, and it is recommended to get an early start especially during the warm (hot!) summer months. Doe Mountain is a short but steep path with incredible vistas - a hike we have made multiple times to enjoy a picnic lunch at the top.
Within a short driving distance, The National Park Service provides several historical locations such as Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot and the lesser-known National Forest Service V Bar V Heritage Site - which houses some of the best preserved and largest petroglyphs. Having visited these parks, they are all truly rich in information about what this portion of Arizona was like in a bygone era.
Because it would be almost endless, this is surely not meant to be an all-encompassing blog about the multitude of activities that the Sedona area offers. We will continue to explore (with additional trips) and attempt to see as much of the scenery of this beautiful red rock country as we can.
For that “endless” information, please check out these links.
