Sedona

The City of Sedona is truly a magical, enchanted city. Talk about energy and endless adventure. Pictures do it no justice. This for me I consider a place that should be on everyone's bucket list. You can spend an entire lifetime here on outdoor adventures.

A popular destination for tourists during summer. You can pick what kind of vacation you want: sacred, mystical, tours by jeep, trolley and guides or independent and wing it. As soon as you enter Sedona the red rock mountains is breathtaking. Lots of options for food using Yelp or Open Table as references. The upper Sedona is shop after shop. Super tourist trap like Waikiki but they allowed for free parking. Lots of stores advertising crystals, psychic readings, etc. clothing stores, American Indian crafts, gemstones, fossils and more. Several coffee cafes, ice cream shops, and various types of casual to fine dining options. Lots of roundabouts. You can go hiking, finding the various vortex locations and more. Tip: do not bring soda along in a cooler. By the time we reach our hotel, one by one the cans exploded popping the lid tops completely off- stay hydrated. The weather changes so fast.

My friend and I went into the City of Sedona for a few hours. We thought the St Patrick's Day Parade was the day we went, but it was the day before:( But we still had fun. I appreciated seeveral free parking lots. We had to walk about eight blocks to get into the heart of the city. But it was a gorgeous day so we enjoyed the walk. We went into a few stores and had lunch. It was a little tricky crossing the main street as you couldn't cross at every block. But we're quick learners lol. The city was cute and a bit smaller than I imagined. But I loved this small quaint town! One of the shop owners told us about a spot outside of town where we could buy jewelry direct from the Navajo tribe. That was so sweet of her! The people were friendly and the view of the red rocks surrounding Sedona was amazing!

I enjoy Sedona, but let's be real, it is a tourist trap. Save yourself the headache and visit in the off season. Traffic, both vehicle and foot, will be considerably less. The shopping IS good, but it becomes repetitive very quickly....crystals, t-shirts, Native American made goods, local artisans....how much can one purchase, and how much of it can you actually get home? But, you have to do it, because it's Sedona. The area has some incredible hiking trails, so if that's your thing, I suggest you go check some of them out. I also suggest that you go to the welcome center and talk to someone, so you don't have a negative experience like Hector B. did. Had he done so, he would have learned that there are a few areas around town where a shuttle will pick you up and take you to some of the trails.... Sedona is home to the only McDonald's with turquoise arches, not yellow ones. McDonald's had to agree to them if they wanted a restaurant in town... There are a few National Monuments within driving distance, so if you wanted to explore further out, you could do that too. Talk to the locals...shop owners, employees, cashiers, the people at the WELCOME CENTER, and ask what they do and where they go to have fun that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I guarantee you'll get a list of things you never even thought of! 21/2024

Sedona what a Beautiful and relaxing atmosphere LOVE the RED ROCKS!.It was part of our road trip with MY GF Patty "PattytOH" P,we enjoyed every minute of it.If you get a chance to visit you will not be disappointed.Thank you to MY GF for your nature driven adventurous spirit.I love you since 1902 (As you always say) :)

SEDONA feels a lot like NIAGARA FALLS very touristy the shops, restaurants, etc not sure how you'd make this place a permanent residence.... if u like hiking; you'll have great options SEDONA was good for a solid ONE HR visit!

June 15, 2023 - City of Sedona (Sedona, AZ) We rolled in at about 11 am driving down from Flagstaff on Hwy 89A (a phenomenally beautiful drive by the way! Stop off on the right hand side and fill your water bottle with some fresh spring water piped right outside of the mountain!). The first set of parking spaces you come to are on your right. We saw a vacant space, so we grabbed it. It was a metered spot. You can pay with credit card or the Passport parking app. I think it was $2 an hour. We grabbed it because it was convenient, but there is free parking in a dirt lot behind the shops if you go up a little further and turn right. Live and learn. This is a cool little section of Sedona. There are a plethora of gift shops, art shops, jewelry stores, restaurants, and adventure excursions shops to check out. Our parking spot was immediately in front of Sedona's Tree House, a cool shop that includes all sorts of works from local artists. So many other great places to check out in this little eighth-mile section of shops all in a row on both sides of the street two stories high. If you're looking for more shops, restaurants, and the like, drive a little further down the road to the roundabout and take the exit that goes left to the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, which is about a quarter of a mile down from the roundabout. Plan to spend at least several hours checking out shops and getting food.

Sedona is one of my few select bucket list travel destinations in the US. I committed a trip to Sedona on my birthday after putting it off for several years. Reflecting back on our vacation, going there was worth the time, resources and effort. It was the best thing I could've done for myself especially since my husband and I are starting to prioritize self-care and travel again. So why visit? Well... First of all the pictures alone drew me to Sedona. Being so used to city life, I just wanted a change of landscape. I wanted to travel somewhere outside my norm. I've seen mountains up in the Pacific Northwest. I've seen lush forests in downstate IL and the Smoky Mountains. I've seen ancient ruins in both Bali and Costa Maya. I've been blessed to walk within the jungle landscape of Tortugero, Costa Rica but I have yet to see the desert. We were here for a brief 4 days but it was 4 days well spent. A lot of things happened on this vacation that didn't exactly go as planned but with the detours, the trip to Sedona was still very much memorable. There are a couple of options to fly into Sedona. You could enter in through the larger Phoenix Airport but traveling northbound into Sedona will take you longer (2 hours) to get in. We opted for the smaller Flagstaff airport which got us to Sedona in under an hour. There are also pros and cons traveling from both airports. Obviously the pro flying in from Flagstaff was less travel time and having the opportunity to go to Sedona through the majestic Coconino National Forest. But the cons traveling through Flagstaff were the lack of Saguaro Cactus. I found out these tall beauties only thrive in elevations lower than 3000 ft above sea level. Flagstaff and Sedona are well above that elevation line. The cactuses we saw were primarily paddle cactus like your prickly pears; still beautiful just not as grand. Your chances of finding Saguaros are better when traveling northbound from Phoenix Airport. There's a lot of new agey/spiritual stuff out here if you're into that. Red Rock vortexes are aplenty which are thought to have centers of energy aiding in healing and meditation. We visited one (Airport Mesa) which seemed to have an effect on me. Whether you buy into it or not, is up to you but being in the moment was captivating to say the least. The city of Sedona is ideal for relaxation. The population is an older crowd with a mix of retirees, active folk (avid hikers), and Sedona housewives. The nearly 360-degree Red Rock landscape is truly the main draw. Is it pricey to live out here? Yes. But when you're on vacation mode, it's the best place to simply chill and forget your 9-5. The overall vibe in the city is simply that. The entire trip, I didn't feel like we had to rush to go somewhere. Everything we did was at a leisurely pace and you also see that with the service level at most restaurants we visited. It was a nice shift from what I'm used to. Even driving out here is super relaxed. Not a single driver we encountered had road rage, tailgated your ass or zigzagged through traffic on 70 in a 30 mph zone. People actually stopped for other drivers and pedestrians. Drivers were polite and not rude. Simply put, this is how people SHOULD be driving. Sedona really loves their roundabouts. Ben and I are not used to the roundabout environment but our Uber driver gave us a useful tip which helped us navigate the roundabouts. When entering the roundabout, you must yield to the inner circle drivers. PSA - The more you know! Sidebar: Sedona is not a party till 6am type of place. In fact, the city shuts down at 8pm. There is only 1 bar (Mooney's) that's open until midnight on the weekdays and 2 am on the weekends. When our Uber driver Lawrence learned we were going out on my birthday night, he said that after 9pm, you're pretty much on your own to find transportation so thankfully Lawrence connected us with Sedona Tom afterwards. Sedona Tom came to my rescue and he's an awesome fellow with an interesting backstory. If you ever want to look him up Google him. He has a short 14 minute documentary named after him. Looking for souvenirs? Downtown Sedona along route 89A is your prime shopping district. You can get a lot of your shopping done here. Is it a tourist trap? Yes but we did find some things/places worth visiting (Open Range Bar and Grill, Sedona Divine and Cheers). This review is my unofficial guide when visiting Red Rock country. I fell in love with the city based on what I experienced and hopefully you will too.

just as amazing as I dreamed. Pics don't go it justic. The hiking is just so special. The restaurants are ok but it's all about the scenery. So believe in the spiritual aspects of the area .... I think just being in nature is so good for your spirit and stress. If you have time really take time to go to Page AZ and do a canyon tour but you have to plan ahead and book it ahead. It will take a day but gorgeous. spring and fall are the best times to visit so comfortable to walk around. We went in early spring and it actually snowed.

Sedona is beautiful Arizona Town surrounded by red rock buttes, canyons and creeks. On the outskirts you'll find plenty of trailheads. Within is a very vibrant arts community aligned with beautiful shops. There is a giant table Mesa overlooking the town with a one runway airport and a helipad. If you are lucky you may just see one in action as it isn't a commercial airport. Enjoy hot air ballooning, a Pink Jeep tour, Vineyard tours, Sedona tour, stargazing tour, biking tours, sight seeing tour and even helicopter rides are available amd so much more!There is plenty of shopping and golf therapy as well! Day trips are awesome. There are even resorts, hotels, cabins by the creek, camping, RV parking, bed and breakfasts etc... For property and home owners I think it is important not to become territorial, and as visitors it is important to respect private property and drive with caution. This beautiful place has something for everyone.

My purpose for visiting Sedona was for the spectacular scenery that surrounds the town. The village of Sedona has become the usual tourist trap, taking advantage of those coming to enjoy the beautiful environment that nature provides. Sadly Sedona has become a carnival for shopping and dining, things that are available in many other Arizona towns for considerably less cost. This takes away from the quaintness of the town and does nothing to enhance the surrounding beauty that is why Sedona exists. Hold on to your wallets here, far too many businesses are willing to lighten you of the cash in them. If I return to this beautiful part of our country again I will take advantage of the services offered in other surrounding towns.

Cute little town with an amazing view. Love the mesas around the town. Little shops full of unique items, art and psychic things. And large chain stores in smaller buildings. Places to rent adventure vehicles like ATVs and mountain bikes. There are bus stops for a Verde shuttle and I saw on their website that they can take you from Sedona to Phoenix. Not sure if they can take you around town. There are vineyards and wine tastings. Make sure to check out the vortexes which Sedona is known for. They offer tours but you can hike to them. Just being in Sedona I felt relaxed. The vibe is awesome. Restaurants close early so be aware of the time. They have wedding venues and I think this is a great place to get married.

Stupid tourist trap. Tried going to Devils Bridge Trailhead. Parking lot only has about two dozen spaces. Can't park anywhere else cause there all sorts of no parking and tow zone signs everywhere. And the cops are just sitting around waiting to issue tickets and tow your vehicle. Checked out next available trailhead on MAPS, SAME THING. NO PARKING AVAILABLE. And AGAIN, cops are just sitting around waiting for someone to park on the street so they can ticket and tow them.

Already planning the next trip back!!! Sedona is absolutely breathtaking. There's plenty to experience and explore from the vortex sites, hiking trails, restaurants, shopping and activities to do. The city is small and has become too touristy but once you're out on the trails (lesser popular ones), you can't even tell the hustle and bustle. There are super popular trails like Devil's Bridge that are busy and have to wait hours in line to get a picture at the iconic bridge. Best advice for getting around anywhere and avoiding crowds is to start early in the day! If not, then take the Sedona Shuttle to get you to the trailheads and other places because parking (and traffic) is definitely an issue. Weekday traffic is lighter but in peak months it can be a challenge. Rideshares are limited to none so don't rely on that for transportation. Do take a tour - any tour! Drive the switchbacks ... beautiful scenery! Make reservations for the popular restaurants ... most anywhere you go, there will be more than 40-60 minute wait times. Visit the Native American market away from town. Take your time at the vortex sites - I was extremely grateful to experience the natural energy. There's so many great things I can go on and on about...you just need to experience it for yourself.

2 hours drive from Phoenix and a must-visit place for anyone around. It is in the top 10 places to visit in the US in some categories too. Loved this cute small town. Less crowded and nice ambiance with focus on the red rocks and the history related to it. It is an extravagantly beautiful place overall and the oak creek is beautiful as you start driving up. Tons of good cafes, gelato, and local restaurant to try. By walk, you can roam completely uptown and that's an advantage. A lot of free parking or meager $5 whole-day parking options.

Such a beautiful town. Sedona is not only one of Arizona's treasures, but a national treasure. Red rocks dominate the landscape. One would think such massive fixtures would be intimidating. Instead, it feels like the land and sky are becoming one. One feels small yet connected. Rocks both seem to shield and hug at the same time. There is an energy here that is undeniable. If you can, visit during non peak times of the year. Sedona gets crowded. I wanted to take some pictures of the landscape and hike. We tried several trailhead parking lots. All were full. My husband finally dropped me off, and then came back for me. It would have been nice to shared more of that moment together. So many different restaurants, artists, shops, hotels and resorts. Art for everyone. There is fine art, hippie crystals, Indigenous art, sculptures and tons of handcrafted jewelry. Be aware that hotels and resorts all have resort fees on top of local taxes. Camping is also an option. I am not a fan of camping, but there is something about the landscape that makes me want to camp here. Who knows, maybe one day I will camp there. I know I will return to Sedona.

Name a prettier city, I'll wait. Sedona is filled with jaw dropping views, fantastic eats and a ton of outdoor activities. I've visited a number of times and I'm amazed that there's always something new to explore. If you're looking to visit Sedona in peak season, I recommend doing your research and booking reservations at the more popular eateries. Many of the restaurants in this area are small and are booked out far in advance! Here's an itenary featuring my perfect day in Sedona: Sunrise hike of the Devil's Bridge, arrive early to avoid large crowds of tourists. Window shop in downtown and grab lunch from the Hideaway House - must try items include the Caprese Primitivo! Finish off the evening with dinner and margaritas from Elote Cafe. This city is all about nature and choosing your own adventure. As long as you see the iconic red rocks, you're doing it right! Prepare to be instantly transported to the set of Disney's 'Cars.'

What a gem of a city. It gets hopping here past 10 am and the parking is harder to find in some areas. After all it is a big tourist attraction. Still had that small town aura and flavor. Best of all are the surrounding hills and mountains which are just incredible to look at. So so so many good cafes and top notch restaurants. Buildings are laid out nicely and Sedona is really clean.

I can't say enough great things about Sedona! It was my first time here and I was absolutely enchanted by all it had to offer! I spent two days here and it was simply NOT enough! I will DEFINITELY be back and definitely want to explore more of all the natural beauty Sedona has to offer next time in addition to looking into more of the healing, restorative things I can do here. Without even focusing on it this time, I definitely feel like my time in Sedona has already been incredibly healing. There is truly something in the air, rocks, and water of Sedona that makes it special. Don't sleep on Sedona! Definitely prioritize a visit here...ASAP! I know I will! :)

ODE to the City of Sedona Sedona, Sedona Your name makes me moan-a If you were a real person I'd call you on the phone-a I wanna come back to see you I don't care about Corona But it's not very easy Because you're in a different time zone-a I want to buy a house near you and protect my skin from melanoma Then walk down your streets to smell the delicious food aroma Oh Sedona, Sedona If you were a class I'd earn a diploma I can't wait to come back to see you your hiking trails I want to roam-a Whenever I fly to you, I pass over Oklahoma Not that you need to know that since you never leave Arizona Your beauty is so stunning it's changed everything I've ever known-a Just please know Sedona Life without you feels like a coma #Random foolishness in my brain [ FUN FACTS ] * Sedona has multiple energy vortexes * The high elevation causes mild winters * Classic western films were born here * Over 90 movies have been filmed in Sedona * Sedona's McDonalds is the only one in the world with green arches * The first settlement of Sedona dates back to roughly 9000 BC * Sedona (and thus Arizona) has the most National parks/monuments of all of the states * Roadrunners are not just in cartoons! In Arizona, you'll see them running up to 17-mph away from their enemies. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I didn't want to gush over my short time spent in Sedona, so I thought a silly poem might say it best without being overly dramatic. I could literally write a book on just how amazing this little spec of land made my wife and I feel, which came as a huge surprise. I mean, we've traveled many placing in our life and time, and we've seen gorgeous works of art by the Creator of the Universe. But it almost feels like He sat right here in Arizona and used this space to inspire all of creation. I wonder if that is why so many people believe in the VORTEXES all over town. I'm generally not a believer of that sort of thing, but I CAN NOT DENY there is something spiritual about this place. Simply put, I can't wait to return to explore more of this city and more of the state. I won't rest until I have bathed in the waters of Havasu Falls, walked the rim of the Grand Canyon, witnesses the sculpted beauty of Antelope Canyon and pretended to have a street shootout in Tombstone! Who knows, maybe even retire here if I'm ever so lucky! 2022 / 17

I've had a rough life I don't wanna be mad. Sorry to have expectations. I know you guys are doing the best you can. God bless you.

My favorite place to getaway and will always hold a special place in my heart because I got married at the Lauberge here! Go around spring and fall! The weather is amazing You won't regret it! It's a very spiritual place and will always leave you feeling good after your visit! I suggest doing hikes on Devils bridge and Cathedral rock! They have awesome restaurants as well like TII Gavo inside Enchantment Resort! This is easily one of my favorite staycation spot to unwind in. Restaurants by Chef Lisa Dahl are Cucina Rustica and Dahl&Deluca . Also check out psychic reading at Sedona crystal vortex! They have a great selection of jewelry, spiritual books and crystals if you are into that kind of stuff. I HIGHLY recommend!

How could you not love Sedona?! The views are absolutely gorgeous!!!! The red Rock with the blue skies. To die for!!! There's so much to do from hiking to shopping to eating... ATVs... Jeep tours... You name the outdoor activity and they've got it. The one downfall to the City of Sedona is that the traffic is horrible! One lane roads plus the daily large numbers of tourists does not make for fun driving. If you don't come early and leave late, a lot of time is wasted in line waiting on the traffic. BUT at least you've got gorgeous views!

Sedona is an Arizona desert town near Flagstaff that's surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. It has many art galleries and related stores, as well as many New Age shops, and spas. It is told there are four vortexes which is where energy swirls and is focused. These vortices are supposed to make you feel inspires, recharged or uplifted. I don't know about that, but Sedona's beauty would definitely help. Outside of the town, numerous trailheads that access Red Rock State Park, which offers bird-watching, hiking and picnicking spots with wonderful views of the red rock mountains all around. We didn't enjoy these activities but used Sedona to relax. The vegetation and pine forests make a wonderful contrast to the red rock backdrop of the mountains. I definitely recommend Sedona for its beauty and outdoor activities. It's a fun town to visit.

What can I say that most other reviewers have already said, city of Sedona is absolutely beautiful and picturesque. Everywhere you turn you see big beautiful red mountains. The one negative I can address is to not drive at night if you're not used to that pitch black darkness. We arrived in Sedona about 10pm and those highway getting to Sedona was frightening. Being a from a big city we don't use our bright headlights a lot. So be prepared for the night driving. Other than that, you will enjoy a small comfortable town with plenty of activities for everyone. There are museums, restaurants, tours and a wonderful visitor center staffed with people to help answer questions about the area or help you with your itinerary. Just go and have fun. :-)

If you are staying in Flagstaff, Sedona is a must visit! Only 30 miles, 45 minute drive on the 89. Lots of decline mountain roads getting here. Have to be super alert when driving in to town. The city is a cute little town. It was super busy when we came. Lots of cars and lots of people walking around the town. Too close for comfort during COVID for me but we needed to stop in town to buy the Red Rock Pass. $5 for a day pass. If you are not hiking the trails, the town is still worth a visit or drive through. Such awesome views of the red mountains. I did not want to deal with driving the mountain roads back up the 89 so I took the easier path through the city and hiking areas down the 179 to the 17 freeway. 30 mile extra detour but timing was the same as the 89 and less sketchy.

When I first arrived in Sedona a year ago, I thought I'd love it. I bought a house I. west Sedona, off Andante Road and Thundermountain Road. After spending several months here, I can say with certainty, that it is the most undesirable place I've ever lived. Although there is immense natural beauty here, the outrageously loud tourist traffic in and around Sedona as well as the neighborhoods is mind-boggling. From the monster trucks, to the souped-up cars, to the motorcycles, and the ATV's has made living here most unbearable. I've had to succumb to wearing earplugs throughout the day to drown out the noise, as well as shut doors and add extra insulation in my house to buffer the horrendous sounds. Unfortunately, nothing helps. To me, Sedona is anything but peaceful and spiritual. The loud rolling muffler sounds that echo throughout the neighborhood all day long on a daily basis is enough to drive anyone crazy!!!

Absolutely love this city! It's picturesque in every direction. There's plenty of shopping and dining. There are many sites to see in Sedona and close by. There are numerous hiking trails as well. Stop by the visitors center for free maps and information. I've been in both Spring and Fall and the temperatures are mild. I highly recommend the Oak Creek Canyon Loop drive. It's gorgeous in the Fall with the leaves changing color. If you get a chance, dine on the outside patio at Enchantment Resort...the views are spectacular! Shopping at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village is a beautiful experience. There are restaurants there as well. There are many roundabouts while driving through the city on highway 89A. They can be quite tricky during rush hour. If you are ever in the area, or just passing through, I highly recommend stopping in Sedona for the red rock scenery alone. You won't regret it!

**EVERYTHING CLOSES AROUND 8PM** **ROAD CONSTRUCTION AS OF 02/16/20** Weather nice during the day. Shorts, light jackets. More chilly at night but not freezing

Sedona is a desert town near Flagstaff. Enjoyed the hiking trails, nature viewing and the cute Uptown area of Sedona. We hiked Broken Arrow Trailhead and enjoyed an early dinner in the Uptown area. Tourists love the variety of restaurants and shops.

I LOVE YOU SEDONA! The energy is amazing, it's stunningly beautiful here! I'll be back SOON!

I certainly could not be in Phoenix and not visit Sedona! I've always heard about the beautiful red rocks, but never saw them. It was well worth the trip. It's absolutely breathtaking. The weather was gorgeous and being able to see all the beautiful landscaping was awesome. No crowds and plenty of space to stroll up and down the streets visiting local shops and reading about some of the history of the area. I woud definitely recommend visiting to anyone that gets the chance. So glad I was able to see this awesome place!

What a wonderful time we had in this lovely city. It was stellar in so many ways: 1- The gorgeous scenery everywhere you look - the signature Red rocks, plenty of gorgeous rock formations in every color of God's rainbow, desert, cactus, the scenery is gorgeous. 2- Sedona is one helluva place for art lovers, and I don't mean the many galleries. I mean the dozens of statues and sculptures and visually interesting things everywhere you look. I loved the public xylophone and wind chimes where the city's guests can make their own kind of music. 3- The Western culture- cowboy and Indian things are everywhere. 4- The shopping and restaurant scene. Hundreds of really nice places to spend your hard earned cash 5- The Sedona Vibe -Call it "Hippie/Cowboy/New Age/Turquoise/Zen" super mellow and super cool. 6- The city is clean -no trash, no vagrants, no beggars.

We stopped in the city of Sedona on our Arizona trip and spent some time there after our hike to Devil's Bridge. There is a lot going on there for sure. It appeared that they have some nice places to eat, we tried a couple and I reviewed those. I would spend some more time with other places since Devil's Bridge kicked my butt and there seemed a lot of natural habitat and tours to go on there along with the shopping. Overall a good experience and a nice place to visit.

Sedona is one of my favorite places to visit. It is a great city for nature lovers. They have the most beautiful red stone formations. When the sun hits them they shine deep shades of orange and red. I love visiting places like Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil's Bridge and more. They have a fun shopping area that is enjoyable to poke around after the sun starts to go. There is lots of touristy jeep tours available or you can spend an afternoon at Tiaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. My favorite restaurant here is Elote Cafe. They just moved into a new building and because of Covid are taking reservations. No more long waits in line trying to get in for dinner.

Nice clean tourist town. Fun, family environment, plenty of outdoor entertainment. Cool shopping areas and restaurant options. Place can get crowded quickly, so be flexible.

Beautiful place to relax and rejuvenate. If you're tired of the road trips your parents made you go through where you woke up, packed up, headed to the next destination, saw some scenery, unpacked then slept only to repeat everything the next day, then try Sedona as a home base if you're visiting Arizona. It's only about 2.5 hours to the South rim of the Grand Canyon, about 2.5-3 hours to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. The city is beautiful with its red rock formations. The vortexes are all within driving distance and if you want to make a go of driving to them yourself rather than paying for the tour, that just might be a better alternative. You can spend as much time as you want exploring Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Boynton Canyon, Chapel of the Holy Cross and other random trails around the city. If crystals, rocks, spiritual and new age are things that interests you, the area offers many metaphysical stores with friendly and knowledgeable owners willing to talk to you. Usually the ocean and water is my go to for peace and quiet but this has quickly become one of my favorite places that I could see myself going back to again.

To my dear and loyal fans thank you for sticking with me during this pandemic. I am now back and ready to tell it like it is once again. The guru finds himself today in Sedona Arizona in order to see what all the fuss is about. After spending a good portion of my day here I can safely say without any hesitation that this place is nothing more than an overpriced tourist trap, and you should probably save some money and stay away. Are the red rocks pretty? sure, but this is not the only place in the country where you can find red rocks. Colorado for instance also has some wonderful red rock formations. But what sets this place apart from the rest are the stores and restaurants full of overpriced stuff just waiting to screw over wealthy out of state travelers who are looking for that "western" experience in a shopping center. There is nothing in any of those stores that you cannot find cheaper in other places. Sorry Arizona but it is time to put this city out to pasture.

Sedona is a great place to stop and visit and is a good place to use as a "base" for exploring the Red Rocks area of Arizona. The city of Sedona has a wide variety of restaurants that should satisfy any tastes. There are a ton of shops - ranging from basic souvenir shops to much higher-end shops featuring all variety of merchandise. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village on the southern end of town is really worth seeing. You could easily spend several hours here - although I tried to limit my wife's time here to a couple of hours. Wide variety of hotels and lodging options; good selection of supermarkets; and a variety of tour operators (Pink Jeep Tours, etc.).

Sedona might the second prettiest city in the country. After Yosemite Valley. I think Sedona is a Coconino word for Second, if I'm not mistaken. The beauty of the red sandstone, especially at sunset, rivals the rock monuments of Utah, leafy autumns of New England, lush landscapes of Hawaii, neon brilliance of Las Vegas, and rocky shores of the California coast. What makes a trip to Sedona a must is the fact that ON THE WAY FROM PHOENIX you can hit the Pueblo cliff dwellings of Montezuma's Castle (30 minute diversion) and/or the natural water slide at Slide Rock Park (averaging 91 degrees May-Sep, the ice water feels pretty good) on the way to Sedona. Heck, within two more hours you can make it to Grand Canyon. The beauty alone should get you there, because looking at it, hiking through it, (getting married in it, as my cousin did), and off-roading up and down it is the basic reason to be there unless a) you're into metaphysics since Sedona is known for it's natural energy centers known as vortexes, or b) you have a fetish for expensive crap, namely turquoise silhouettes of stick figures with nappy hair playing a clarinet (the Coconino word for this is kokopelli, I think). My mom loved the place for the "energy", but my mom was a little out there. Her third marriage was performed to the sound of blue whales making love. I am not kidding. It was like it was officiated by Dory. Anyway, it was at the beautifully named Airport Vortex where we spread my mom's ashes. Unless that's illegal, in which case, I totally did not. That was a just a really big cigar. Other than that, there's a some shops full of stuff I don't want or can't afford. But Oaxaca is a cool Mexican restaurant overlooking Snoopy Rock (a rock that looks like Snoopy), and The CHAPEL OF THE HOLY CROSS, built into the buttes, is a must-visit, whether you are religious or not. Go as a fan of architecture, if not as a fan of JC. Be careful. My mom only got one speeding ticket her entire life---and it was in Sedona. I'd like to think she's haunting that cop in her spare time.

We visited Sedona in late April 2020 during covid season but the city didn't seem very busy at all. We hiked the trails that were open, ate gelato and ordered take out from restaurants in the city. Was fun and felt safe at the time, especially since we practiced effective social distancing.

Although extremely beautiful and lovely in many regards, the city of Sedona has largely been ruined by an influx of tourism that has been too much for the city to keep up with. At times of the year traffic can back up for ten miles coming into town. The city being surrounded by the National Forest (it's best feature) prevents it from being able to grow in accordance with the growing demand of tourism, and as a result, prices are becoming outrageous, more litter is starting to show up on the trails, parking is impossible, reservations for restaurants have to be made sometimes weeks in advance, some restaurants take HOURS to get into, and overall, the magic has died off unless you happen to be one of the multi-millionaires who can afford to stay outside of city limits or own property up on a hill where you can be left alone from the tourists. If you visit, consider doing so in the dead of winter so that you don't have to fight through the traffic and can hopefully enjoy some of the peace and quiet.

Artsy and touristy. But ultimately lovely! The main draw for me here is the scenery. Spectacular views all around of the Red Rocks, mountains and forests. There are many spectacular trails and spots to hike nearby, so set aside a couple hours to get outside and enjoy the beauty! I am not big on shopping and can't afford to buy or transport the art available. But window shopping in the Uptown are is A+ and looking at the fancy pieces of art is a good time as well. We were staying the week in Phoenix and Sedona is an easy drive, under 2 hours away, with plenty to enjoy while you are there (and even closer to Flagstaff, I think). If you have a free day, check it out. S'cool.

I'm from Maui, Hawaii and I'm PRETTY bougie when I go to different places. But Sedona, took my breath away! The colors are so beautiful. The red contrasting with the green. We visited the look out where to see the bell shaped rock. There were hiking and biking trails here, for those that love this heat (I was not feeling it). My fiancee took me to see the church that's in the hill. It was magnificent there. The church has a large Jesus statue and looks out to a nice scene. Tons of lookout areas. We went deeper into the city of Sedona to check out the only McDonald's in the world without golden arches!! We also stopped by a swap meet and art fair. I picked up a few dream catchers as souvenirs. Inside the city of Sedona, we saw tons of restaurants and shops. We didn't stop by all of them. I think the city was beautiful and it's cool all the colors are neutral and match with the scenery

As mentioned previously, I lived in Sedona for 27 years before relocating 15 miles southwest to Cornville. Our family still owns a timeshare at Arroyo Roble so we recently had a staycation while our oldest son was visiting from NC. You can read my separate review of Arroyo. Our son hadn't scene Sedona in about 5 years. He immediately noticed how much more crowded it has become. The traffic is out of control especially uptown. Sedona made a choice to become a tourist town instead of a place for its citizen residents. Everything is focused on the tourist with motels, hotels, timeshares and AirBNB's everywhere. The restaurants are over priced and mostly just average compared to the wide variety of very good eateries in the Verde Valley. We don't go to Sedona much anymore. All of our family has relocated to the Cottonwood area where were are all very happy and content. I suppose it's a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there (anymore).

BACKGROUND Recently, I was reviewing Arizona hiking spots, especially after I saw a rash of reviews from other Yelpers claiming the "gorgeousness" of South Mountain Park, in South Phoenix. As I pointed out in my South Mountain review, unless you love flat, dry, and boring, or you're looking for a mountain bike trail, it's utter crap. Then I went on to present other hiking options; including, McDowell, Camelback, Piestewa, and one of my favorites, Sunrise Trail. But, all of those options take a back seat to Sedona and Sedona hiking. Sedona is by far the premier place to hangout. SEDONA Known for being a quintessential Arizona desert town located near Flagstaff, surrounded by beautiful red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and an enchanting pine forest, Sedona attracts inventors, innovators, artists, and start-ups from around the country for its mild climate and up-and-coming arts community. With uptown Sedona continuing to develop into an enclave for new age shops, spas, and art galleries, as well as the outskirts trailheads and access through the Red Rock State Park, the "hipster" class of America is starting to settle down in the characteristically bohemian downtown Sedona. Sedona offers the best of both worlds; bird-watching, hiking, and picnicking spots meets avant garde design and innovation in food, entertainment, and fashion; there is truly something for everyone in Sedona. SEDONA (THEN) Man first walked on Sedona around 11,500 B.C. as hunter-gatherers looking for food and water. Come 650 A.D., the Sinagua people entered the Verde Valley, bringing with them their pottery, basketry, and masonry. In their wake can be found rock art, pueblos, and cliff dwellings, abandoning the location in 1,400 A.D. By the late 1800s, Anglo-Saxon settlers had moved in to grow peach and apple orchards. Come the early 1900s, Sedona started to develop as a tourist destination, vacation-home, and retirement center in the 1950s. The city is a reflection of the rapid development that went on in the 1980s and 1990s. Perhaps most notably regarded for its natural backdrop in over 60 Hollywood wild west productions, Sedona can be seen in everything from Johnny Guitar, Angel and the Badman, to Desert Fury, Blood on the Moon, and the list goes on. Sedona is sought after by world hikers, rock-climbers, and campers, looking to immerse themselves in the pristine beauty that is the American desert. SEDONA (NOW) Today in Sedona, we see a dichotomy developing between the "haves" and the "have-nots." We see a classic development of an aristocratic society that wants the finer things in life, like restaurants with inflated menus, next to the hipster communities that are pushing for street art and run down shops that reflect their charismatic lifestyle. Most known for its artistry, the artistic co-working shops, galleries, and art-walks are coming to characterize the city, bringing tourists, locals, and the wealthy together to appreciate what's being made in their own backyard. SEDONA & ME I've had some amazing experiences in Sedona. I've hiked around Arizona my whole life. My parents are avid hikers/explorers, and thus I've either had the chance to go on trips with them, or they have encouraged many trips when I was in school, and subsequently, on my own. I've had many stay-cations at L'Auberge de Sedona, which is a LOVELY place to spend some time, and is close to many great shops, restaurants, and fantastic hiking. Sedona is close enough to Phoenix that it's conducive for a day trip any time. It's an easy drive, and it's fun to escape into the red rocks, and new-age vibes of Sedona. I go several times a month for a quick getaway. Some of my most recent visits included, checking out the winery's in the area, hiking Bell Rock Trail, and also, a little sight seeing with some out of town guests. There are two main routes to get to Northern Arizona, and one of them, Route 179 to Route 89A, is very scenic, and goes through Sedona, so if you're headed north, that's an added opportunity to stop by. CONCLUSION As with many American cities experiencing the hipster revitalization movement, time will tell if Sedona is able to accommodate the different viewpoints. Sedona was cool before it was hip; it's here to stay. 5/5 RECOMMEND OF NOTE *For more information: visitsedona.com

Amazing weather, peaceful atmosphere, great shops and restaurants. The hiking trails are awesome and the views of the mountains from practically anywhere in town are amazing.

This is a great place to visit as a day trip from Phoenix. It is more ideal to stay longer however! You can spot Lucille Ball's brother's house here. It's green and has three mannequins outside. Two are the double mint twins and one is of Lucy. Apparently, one of the twins is the current owner of the home. I came at the end of May and it was heavily raining but cleared up enough so we could still enjoy the wonderful city. I heard that 3 days before I came, there was snow! Be prepared for varying weather. The weather here differs greatly from Phoenix even though it's only a couple of hours away. I absolutely enjoyed the red rocks and thought that my Pink Jeep Tour was the perfect experience to get up close and personal to the rocks without having to hike it. I went with a larger group of people with various physical ability so we weren't able to enjoy the hikes. Make sure to look out for different rock formations that are shaped like different objects. Ones I learned about included Mitten, Lucy, Snoopy, and Chimney. When it rains, the rocks look stained and a little less vibrant and striped. You must visit the little village of Tlaquepaque. There are two sides of it and it consists of a bunch of mini-courtyards that make you feel like you've stepped into a teleportation tunnel to Sevilla, Spain. There are water fountains, Spanish tiles, and lots of flowers. The city of Sedona has a lot of public art, psychic shops, rock shops, candle shops and foods. Make sure to look out for the cute statues of javelinas, an animal native to that area. Fun fact: they don't have pain sensors in their mouth so they can eat spiky cactus plants. This was something we learned from our Jeep tour guide, Gene.

Amazing weather and nice place to walk around. Parking is horrible but if you park and just explore it's an amazing town