Your First visit to Sedona
Description:
This trip guide is designed for the first time visitor to Sedona, particularly those not on a budget. This guide highlights the best of what Sedona has to offer in terms of the best resorts, the most satisfying restaurants (from fine dinning to pub fare), art galleries, and picturesque hikes and camping adventures. This guide is packed to the brim, allowing visitors to hone in on the vacation experience that best meets their expectations for the perfect trip to Sedona.
Author: kgboggs
Day 1 - Sedona
Your first day in Sedona is all about familiarizing yourself with the town and the landscape. Take a trolley tour of the town and gain an understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the area. Hike the short trail to the monumental Cathedral Rock, where spectacular views of Red Rock State Park await. And finish you day off with an elegant dinner at Sedona's premier fine dinning establishment.
1
Sedona Trolley
Location:
view in google maps201 North State Route 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 5400 / 928 282 42112
Oak Creek Terrace Resort
Location:
view in google maps4548 North State Route 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 3562 / 800 224 2229 Toll Free2
Red Rock State Park
Location:
view in google maps4050 Red Rock Loop Rd
(South of Highway 89A, take Lower Red Rock Loop Road)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 69072
Energy Vortexes
Location:
view in google mapsAZ-179 & Bell Rock Blvd
(Location of Bell Rock, Visitor Centers offer further information)
Sedona, AZ 86351
Phone:
928 282 4119 (Visitor Information)2
Oaxaca Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps321 N Highway 89A
(P.O. Box 00)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 41792
ChocolaTree Organic Eatery and Marketplace
Location:
view in google maps1595 W. Highway 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 29972
D'Lish Very Vegetarian
Location:
view in google maps3190 W Hwy 89A, at Dry Creek Rd
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928-203-93933
Cathedral Rock
Location:
view in google mapsLower Red Rock Loop Road
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 77224
L'Auberge de Sedona
Location:
view in google maps301 L'Auberge Ln
(at L'Auberge de Sedona)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 1661 / 800 272 67776
Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa
Location:
view in google maps525 Boynton Canyon Road
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 2900 / 800 826 4180 ReservationsDay 2 - Sedona
While yesterday you got a good lay of the land, today you'll hike to ruins illustrating the history and the mystery of the people that originally inhabited this land. Though the hike is easy, you'll want a good breakfast to get you going, and a filling, yet gourmet meal to fill your stomach upon your return.
Go back to the resort, lay in the hot tub, and then head to Arizona's famous microbrewery, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill for a few rounds.
1
Spices Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps2545 Hwy 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 204 91172
Palatki
Location:
view in google maps250 Brewer Road
Sedona Ranger District
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
520 282 4119 (Ranger Station)3
Honanki
Location:
view in google maps250 Brewer Road
(Address is the Sedona Ranger District; take Red Rock Canyon Road off highway 89A)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 41194
Picazzo's
Location:
view in google maps1855 W. Hwy 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 4140Day 3 - Sedona
Today the plans are a layered combination of fantastic food, art, nature, and exciting nightlife. The Coffee Pot is a local favorite, where visitors can build omelettes of any size and variety under the sun. Tlaquepaque is the area's most well known location for art galleries. One can easily spend the entire afternoon gazing at artistic representations of the beauty found just outside the walls of this artisan village.
Oak Creek Canyon, is a very relaxing, enjoyable area, where one can fish, have a picnic, wade in the river, fish, hike, or just sit along the river and catch up with old friends. It serves as a great meeting place from which to journey through the West Fork Trail, an easy hike along the river.
Unwind at the Cowboy Club, a lively place that won't mind you walking in with your dusty boots.
1
The Coffee Pot
Location:
view in google maps2050 W State Rte 89A
(north side of Hwy 89A)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 66262
Tlaquepaque
Location:
view in google maps336 State Hwy 179
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 48383
Shugrue's Hillside Grill
Location:
view in google maps671 State Route 179
(At Hillside Sedona)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 53004
Oak Creek Canyon
Location:
view in google mapsHighway 89
(From Sedona, drive north on US Highway 89A)
Sedona, AZ 86339
Phone:
928 282 30345
West Fork Trail
Location:
view in google mapsP.O. Box 300
250 Brewer Road
Sedona, AZ 86339-0330
Phone:
520 282 4119Day 4 - Sedona
Day four begins early with a hearty breakfast at Cafe & Cattle Company. Be sure to fill up, and pack up those left-overs because the Secret Canyon Trail awaits. This is a strenuous trail that is not to be taken lightly. Bring lots of water and wear sun screen. Your exerted efforts are not without reward on this beautiful journey through the Red Rocks Wilderness.
A filling dinner at Junipine Cafe is just what the doctor ordered after a long hike. Have a steak and take care of those blisters. Tomorrows hike, though much easier, will offer visitors an entirely different perspective of the Wilderness area.
1
Cafe & Cattle Company
Location:
view in google maps771 North State Route 179
(At King's Ransom Quality Inn)
Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone:
928 282 16622
Secret Canyon Trail
Location:
view in google mapsP.O. Box 300
250 Brewer Road
Sedona, AZ 86339-0330
Phone:
520 282 4119Day 5 - Sedona
Bagel Talk is specifically recommended because one can purchase a good breakfast as well as a packed lunch for the trail ahead. Order twice or three times what you think you'll want for breakfast, and pack the rest for the trail to Wet Beaver Creek.
Wet Beaver Creek is a secluded area, an oasis if you will in the vast wilderness. It is a local favorite because few people venture out here.
The campgrounds have more amenities than most, such as restrooms. And wood is even available for sale at a reasonable cost ($15 for three bundles). This trail is pretty easy most of the way, but might force hikers to walk through water from time to time, so a good pair of waterproof sandals is recommended. Set up camp and enjoy your evening under the stars, with the sound of the creek babbling at the foot of your tent.
1
Bagel Talk
Location:
view in google maps30 Bell Rock Plaza
(in the Bell Rock Plaza)
Sedona, AZ 86351
Phone:
928 284 31112
Wet Beaver Creek
Location:
view in google mapsP.O. Box 300
250 Brewer Road
Sedona, AZ 86339-0330
Phone:
520 282 4119