Sedona is a place that is so mystical and filled with natural wonder that it’s hard to believe it’s even real when visiting those red rocks for the first time. This quaint town in Arizona is renowned for its healing powers: restorative luxury spas, crystals and vortex tours abound. Out of everywhere I’ve visited, Sedona is simultaneously the most adventurous and peaceful place I’ve ever experienced. Since Sedona is such a unique spot, I’ll be approaching this travel guide a little differently with an emphasis on nature and all the beautiful hikes, spas, and vortices that Sedona has to offer.
The Sedona Short List
Stay
Explore + Photograph
- Devil’s Bridge
- Cathedral Rock
- Red Rock State Park
- Airport Mesa Vortex
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Bell Rock
- Soldier’s Pass Trail
- Devil’s Kitchen
- Seven Sacred Pools
- Birthing Cave
- Red Rock Crossing
- Tlaquepaque
- Main Street Sedona
Eat
- Tortas de Fuego $ (Mexican)
- Pisa Lisa $$ (Pizza)
- Creekside Sedona $$ (Brunch)
- Elote Cafe $$ (Southwestern)
- Tamaliza $$ (Mexican)
- Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano $$$ (Italian)
Sedona Travel Tips
- Do your homework on hikes beforehand: a lot of trails in Sedona are intense or have steep drop-offs.
- Visit hiking trails early in the morning for lower crowds and better photography lighting.
- Restaurants are very expensive here: I recommend eating at fast casual places or preparing your own meals if you’re on a budget.
- Make time to shop and explore Sedona’s quaint downtown area.
- Book a Pink Jeep Tour if you’re short on time and want to see a lot of different trails.
- Schedule a spa day to rejuvenate from all that hiking.
What to Pack for a Trip to Sedona
Outfits
Activewear
Where to Stay in Sedona
Arroyo Pinion Hotel ($)
I personally stayed at the Arroyo Pinion during my time in Sedona and absolutely loved it! The rooms are freshly renovated and you have beautiful views of the red rocks. This is an excellent budget option for Sedona if you’re looking to save in the high season. Book your stay at the Arroyo Pinion here.
L’Auberge Sedona $$$
If a luxury spa sounds like more your speed, L’Auberge Sedona is ideal for an indulgent Sedona retreat. This award-winning hotel is my pick for the best place to stay in Sedona and is currently named on Conde Nast’s list as a top hotel in the southwest. You can reserve your stay at L’Auberge here.
Best Hikes in Sedona
Devil’s Bridge
I’ve been a lot of hikes in my life but this one takes the cake. Devil’s Bridge is a jawdroppingly beautiful hike in Sedona’s Red Rock State Park. Most of the hike is at a low-intensity level, so it can be enjoyed by most everyone. I’ll be publishing a blog post all about Devil’s Bridge in the near future.
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock is one of my favorite hikes in Sedona and comes with breathtaking views to boot. I recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset for better photos and lower crowds. This is a more streneous hike that is completely uphill and requires a bit of free climbing to reach the very top of Cathedral Rock. You can still take in some beautiful scenery on the way up if you don’t want to do the full hike
This trail also has the most stunning sunsets. You honestly feel like you’re on another planet when the moon starts rising over the red rocks here. It’s hard to put into words how unbelievable the views really are, so I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park is everything you would imagine the Southwest to look like. As the name implies, there are so many beautiful red rocks towering over this park and so many incredible hiking trails to choose from. I recommend exploring Devil’s Bridge Trail and the Eagle’s Nest Loop by foot or booking a Pink Jeep Tour to see it all.
Sedona Vortices
Sedona is well-known for its energy vortices. An energy vortex is essentially an area of high energy that is said to affect people physically and spritually and is used for healing and meditation. Sedona’s vortices are said to have different effects, ranging from increased energy, to calming sensations to spiritual alignment. You can read more about vortexes through these resources: Sedona’s website and a Sedona vortex blog.
Airport Mesa Vortex
Sedona’s Airport Mesa is a breathtaking spot for natural scenery and photography. This mesa is an upflow vortex, meaning it has the ability to increase your spirits and positive energy. The Airport Mesa is one of most popular vortex locations in Sedona due to its accessibility, so I recommend visiting at sunrise to have the mesa all to yourself. You can read more about the Airport Mesa vortex here.
Sedona Restaurants
Pisa Lisa $$
This pizza joint is my favorite restaurant in Sedona. It’s family-run and the pizza is absolutely delicious. Highly recommend visiting for a night out in Sedona! You can see the Pisa Lisa menu and learn more about the restaurant here.
Tortas de Fuego $
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food and cheap eats, this is the place to be in Sedona. Try the street tacos—you’ll thank me later.
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