Hikers, cyclists, spa-lovers, yogis and new age followers rejoice; Sedona has something for everyone. Situated near Flagstaff, with imposing red rocks, a vibrant arts and an active outdoor community, Sedona’s culinary repertoire meets the needs of a myriad of palates. This desert town with a vibe that you can’t find elsewhere is sure to capture your heart and soul and bring you back time after time.
The main drag in Sedona is State Route AZ-89A. If you choose to stay in the heart of Sedona, you’ll opt to stay in the Uptown area where you can easily walk to stores, restaurants and galleries. This can get very crowded during peak times and the restaurants here definitely cater to tourist palates. If you want to get away from the bustle of people, and escape to Sedona for the serenity, the beauty and the peace that it promises, then West Sedona is more your pace. Regardless of where you choose to rest your head at night, there are hundreds of hiking and mountain bike trails through the geological marvels of Sedona’s red rocks.
If you are inclined toward the spiritual, then you might find your shoulders drop away from your ears at your very first sighting of these vermillion monolithic formations.
If yoga is your bag, then you’ll find any number of yoga studios offering classes ranging from hatha to hot yoga and even outdoor yoga on the red rocks. For a truly personal yoga experience check out Awakening Yoga Studio close to the Sedona Fire Station. The deeply intuitive and highly knowledgeable owner Mally can be found there nearly daily, unless she’s leading a group on a Spiritual Retreat to Nepal, Burma or the like. If you can make the time, be sure to attend a Singing Bowls ceremony. It is something you are not likely to forget in a hurry.
Sedona is a haven for mountain bicyclists as is evidenced from the number of cars you can find in any of the parking lots close to the trailheads. For a better experience, plan to get your mountain biking done early. If you’re getting there around 11am, you might find yourself circling the area trying to find parking; and not to mention the desert sun, while still temperate in the Spring can make for a rather uncomfortable ride. Chuck Wagon and Canyon of Fools are two we like, although you can find a plethora of trails based on your level of experience in apps like AllTrails or Trailforks or REI’s MTB Project.
After you’re done with your yoga, bike ride or hike, hit up Berry Divine Acai Bowls; with a less sweet but thicker consistency, their bowls will leave you wondering how something so indulgent could be good for you. They even offer a drive through option if you’re on the go.
If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids, consider taking a picnic to Slide Rock Park. Plan to get there just as the park opens, because the line to enter can get pretty long later in the day.
Another fun activity to plan with the kids is a visit to Montezuma’s Castle. This is one of the best representations of prehistoric cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people, dating over 800 years ago. Kids can become a Junior Ranger if they complete a series of activities that help them better understand the environment and the prehistoric people who occupied this area.
No family visit to Sedona can be complete without a visit to Red Rock State Park. Complete with visitors center, theatre, activities for kids and miles of hiking trails you could spend the entire day here.
For a one stop arts and shopping experience there’s no better place in Sedona than Tlaquepaque. You can wander around and take in local artistry in all mediums from painting to patchwork and from jewelry to woodwork.
Stop in to the El Rincon for a ‘Mexican with an Arizona Flair’ meal and give the Navajo Pizza a try! With hand rolled dough, refried beans, green or red chiles and vegetables or meat of your choice, this is a pizza you will not be able to pass up.
If you’re jonesing for something a little more American, you can’t go wrong at the Oakcreek Brewery and Grill. Be sure to check out their 7 Dwarfs Sampler which gives you a chance to wet your whistle and sample most of their award winning brew. If beer isn’t your beverage of choice, they have a full bar and they know how to use it!
Make a meal out of a selection of their appetizers; try their oak creek hot wings for the spice, wicked pickles for the crunch, and the south western mac n cheese for the ultimate in comfort. If you are not in the mood to share, try their mushroom brie burger for the ultimate palate pleaser. The arugula and spinach simply help make this delectable delight a little less sinful. Perfectly cooked to order certified angus ground beef, with sauteed mushrooms and creamy brie are perfectly paired with steak sauce for a mouthwatering bite that will keep you going back for more.
For dessert, skip across the street to CREAM for the best handmade ice cream in Sedona.
For a spot of tea with a story, check out The Chai Spot.
Be sure to stop in at Spirits and Spice to sample some incredible wines, vinegars, olive oils and spirits. Their knowledgeable staff will have you sampling combinations of oils and vinegars that you would never expect would work; but they do.
Save your appetite to dine at one of the hottest pizza spots in West Sedona. Pisa Lisa is a no reservation family-friendly restaurant with a wood fired pizza crust that is delicate and indescribably delicious. With a generous menu for both red or white sauce options, there’s something for everyone. For the authentic Italian experience, start with Extremo; their version of the classic antipasto salad; and if meat in your salad isn’t your thing, try their Caesar Brutus; which has a loyal following of its own.
Follow this with a minimum of two pizzas to try both a red and white sauce version. With the red sauce, give the Fra Diavolo a try; with spicy prawns, fennel sausage and oregano. Or if you don’t do spicy on your pizza, and are shooting for something more traditional, you can’t go wrong with the Da Meatball, with home made porcini meatballs, ricotta clouds and parmesan dust, you are sure to be floating on clouds of your own. For your more carnivorous side, you might consider the Au Sauvage which showcases a hefty representation of Italian meats from Calabrese sausage to soppressata salami.
For the pizza blanco if you’re a mushroom aficionado or even just like mushrooms, the Funghi Decadente is a must try; as the name suggests, this truly decadent pizza with its riot of textures and flavors is going to send into gastronomic overdrive. For a trendy pizza that can hold its own with the best of them, give the Passionista a go. The fig jam perfectly compliments the salty gorgonzola and creamy chevre, which is balanced well with the sweet tartness of the balsamic reduction.
If by chance, you’ve spared some room for dessert you can’t go wrong with any of the dolci offerings. If you’re partial to ice cream however, then the affrogato is a must try.
If you’re short on time, and want to get a sense of the history of mystical Sedona, consider doing the famous Pink Jeep Tour. This will give you the low down in the area’s geology and Native American history and fulfill your spirit of outdoor adventure all while exposing you to breaktaking vistas.
Sedona holds a distinction for having significant energy vortexes or concentrated centers of energy. Whether you believe in energy centers or not, a visit to this magical place is sure to lift your energy and spirits and leave you feeling refreshed, energized and renewed.
