Sedona Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sedona Travel & Tourism, Free Sedona Travel Guide Online

Sedona Travel Guide: Discount & Cheap Sedona Travel & Tourism, Free Sedona Travel Guide Online

Sedona is located about 90 miles north of Phoenix at the lower end of Arizona's spectacular Oak Creek Canyon, and is known for its jagged red-rock cliffs and monoliths, as well as its surrounding lush forests. Sedona is located in both Coconino and Yavapai Counties and is completely surrounded by the Coconino National Forest.

Sedona has become a center for traditional and contemporary arts and offers a variety of galleries, boutiques and specialty shops. It is an upscale retirement and tourism community, and the gateway to tours of the Red Rocks region.

Early Native Americans considered the Red Rocks sacred and traveled for days on end to perform ceremonies among the formations. Only the bravest chiefs and medicine men were allowed into what was considered to be the home of the gods. Cathedral Rock was honored as the birthplace of the first man and woman.

Until 30 years ago, Sedona was a small farming community. Then Psychic Page Bryant claimed to discover several "vortexes," or psychic energy sites that release psychic power from the earth, in the hills around Sedona.

The four local points which she considered to be energy vortexes are Bell Rock, Table Top Mountain, Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon. Her revelations have brought spiritual seekers to Sedona in ever increasing numbers.

Millions of tourists also visit the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon area each year for its western history, scenic beauty, its thriving arts community, its world class hiking and golf, and its famous jeep tours.

Recently voted by USA Today the most beautiful city in the United States, Sedona is one of Arizona's most popular destinations

The motion picture industry was also attracted to Sedona and such films as John Wayne's The Angel and the Badman and Robert Mitchums's Blood On The Moon were filmed there. Photographers love Sedona. It is almost impossible to take anything other than a fabulous picture, and the natural lighting is superb.

Sedona's canyons, creeks, Indian ruins, and red rocks are readily accessible on foot, and the area is easy to hike. Another option is to take a jeep tour.

The setting and architecture of the Chapel of the Holy Cross (known locally as the Church on the Rock) are impressive. Built in 1956 by Marguerite Brunwige Staude, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, this modern landmark, with a huge cross on the facade, rises between two red-rock peaks. Vistas of the town and the surrounding area are spectacular.

In 1950, surrealist painter Max Ernst moved to Sedona, and other famous artists followed. Many artists have been attracted to Sedona and its rugged beauty. Over the years, an artist colony has developed in Sedona, and many of the artists sell their work in local galleries and shops.

The town is filled with upscale art galleries, Southwestern souvenir and craft centers, and crystal shops. The town's shopping showplace is Tlaquepaque (TLA-kay-PAH-kay), an adobe-style complex of shops and galleries and the site of a brilliant annual December light display with luminaries.

The fishing is excellent; the sunsets are glorious; there are hiking, running, water sports, archeological tours, and an ideal climate year round. Imagine a photograph of the incredible red rocks of Sedona set against a cloudless sky. Wouldn't you like to be in that picture?

Sedona Attractions: Sedona Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sedona Travel & Tourism, Free Sedona Travel Guide Online

Oak Creek Canyon

89A, beginning 1 mi north of Sedona, Oakcreek Canyon.

Whether you want to swim, hike, picnic, or enjoy beautiful scenery framed through a car window, head north from Sedona through the wooded Oak Creek Canyon. It's the most scenic route to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon and worth a drive-through even if you're not heading north. Although the forest is primarily evergreen, the fall foliage is glorious. The road winds through a steep-walled canyon, and you'll crane your neck for views of the dramatic rock formations above.

Rainbow Trout Farm

3500 N. AZ 89A, 3 mi north of Sedona,

Oak Creek Canyon

928/282-3379.

Daily 9-5.

Anglers young and old will enjoy the sure catch at the. For $1 you'll get a cane pole with a hook and bait. There is no charge if your catch is under 8 inches. The real bargain is that the staff will clean and pack your fish for a low cost.

Slide Rock State Park

6871 N. AZ 89A, Oak Creek Canyon,

7 miles north of Sedona

928/282-3034.

Labor Day-Memorial Day, daily 8-5; Memorial Day-Labor, daily Day 8-7.

This is a good place for a picnic. On a hot day, you can plunge down a natural rock slide into a swimming hole. (Bring a set of dry clothes). The only downside to this trip is the traffic on summer weekends.

Cathedral Rock Trail

is a vigorous but non-technical 1½-mi scramble up the slick rock, to a nearly 360-degree view of red-rock country. Follow the cairns, the rock piles marking the trail, faithfully, and look for the footholds in the rock. Carry plenty of water. Though short, the trail offers little shade and the pitch is steep. You can see the Verde Valley and Mingus Mountain in the distance.

Red Rock State Park

4050 Red Rock Loop Rd., West.

928/282-6907.

Call ahead for times, which change with the season.

Daily 8-5.

Two miles west of Sedona via AZ 89A is the turnoff for the 286-acre, a less-crowded alternative to the popular Slide Rock State Park, though without the possibility for swimming. The 5 mi of interconnected park trails are well marked and provide beautiful vistas.

There are daily ranger-guided nature walks, bird-watching excursions on Wednesday and Saturday, and a guided hike to Eagle's Nest scenic overlook, the highest point in the park, every

Verde River Canyon Scenic Railroad

Another spectacular trip is the train ride on the that runs from Clarkdale (southwest of Sedona). Expect to see crimson cliffs, the Verde River, prehistoric Native American ruins and maybe even a bald eagle.

Activities Available in the Sedona Area

Hiking

- Year-round hiking on maintained trails makes Sedona a hiking mecca.

Mountain Biking

- Numerous trails are maintained for mountain biking.

Jeep Tours

- Sedona is home to numerous Jeep tour companies.

Fishing

- Oak Creek is regularly stocked with trout in the summer.

Horseback Riding

- Local stables offer trail rides and tours on horseback through the beautiful red rock country

Golf, Tennis,

Swimming, and Shopping

Sedona Events: Sedona Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sedona Travel & Tourism, Free Sedona Travel Guide Online

Events

January

Red Rock Fantasy of Lights at Los Abrigados Resort

continues (see November)

February

Sedona's International Film Festival

March

St. Patrick's Day Parade

May

Pow Wow & Native American Arts Celebration

May

Western Americana Festival, arts, crafts, car & static air show

May

Sedona Fine Arts Festival

Creative Life Center
Sedona AZ
928.282.5782

May

Annual Sedona Chamber Music Festival

St. John Vianney Church
Sedona AZ
928.204.2415

June

Annual Sedona-Verde Valley Astronomy Festival

July

4th of July Fireworks

August

Red Rock Music Festival

Sedona Cultural Park
Sedona AZ
928.282.0747

September

Gathering of Indian Nations Festival

September

Annual Jazz on the Rocks

October

Sculpture Walk

October

Sedona Arts Festival

Mid-November – early January

Annual Red Rock Fantasy of lights at Los Abrigados Resort

Los Abrigados is located on Portal Lane, just behind Tlaquepaque, Sedona's Mexican-style arts and crafts village on Highway 179. (928) 282-7125. Nightly: 5-9 PM. Admission charged.

Mid-December

Annual Tlaquepaque Festival of Light

Santa Claus and his elf listen to the wishes of children in Patio Del Norte from 3 to 5:30 p.m. daily. More than 6,000 Luminaries set Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village aglow in a warm, festive light on the 2^nd Saturday in December, during the Annual Festival of Light.

Many other activities celebrating the holiday season take place throughout the afternoon and evening. There are vendors roasting chestnuts and selling a variety of fresh produce, holiday bread, homemade tamales and more. The restaurants at Tlaquepaque: Secret Garden Cafe, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, Rene and El Rincon Mexican Restaurant will be serving throughout the day and reservations are highly recommended.

Sedona Facts: Sedona Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sedona Travel & Tourism, Free Sedona Travel Guide Online

Population

: 10,400 (year round) 11, 300 seasonally and 2-4 million tourists per year

Time Zone

: Mountain Standard Time. Daylight saving time is not observed.

Elevation

: 4,500 feet

Area: 19 square miles

Location:

Sedona is located at the lower end of Arizona's spectacular Oak Creek Canyon, known for its stunning red buttes and monoliths, as well as its surrounding lush forests. Sedona is located in both Coconino and Yavapai Counties and is completely surrounded by the Coconino National Forest.

Average Temperatures:

Month	High	Low
January	51F	23F
February	53F	26F
March	60F	31F
April	69F	38F
May	77F	45F
June	87F	54F
July	91F	61F
August	88F	59F
September	84F	53F
October	74F	42F
November	61F	30F
December	53F	25F

When to Visit:

A high desert community of 4,500 feet, Sedona's weather is generally mild, but still offers dramatic contrasts to the many scenery enthusiasts who visit and live in the Red Rocks. During your visit you are likely to experience plenty of sunshine, fluffy blue clouds, and gorgeous Arizona sunsets. If you are lucky you may see lightning over Bell Rock, incredible full moon evenings, and possibly a dusting of snow of the Red Rocks icing them like the most beautiful cake.

National Holidays:

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31

Getting There

There is a small airport in Sedona where Scenic Airlines, (800-535-4448) provides flights to and from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. The Sedona Airport Administration can be reached at 520-282-4487. This airport handles small business jets and charter flights in small planes.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

(3400 Sky Harbor Blvd., 24th and Buckeye Sts., off I-10, Exit 149, Phoenix, AZ, USA. 602/273-3300)

Commercial air travelers fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Limos and taxis are available from the airport to Sedona.

Sky Harbor's three passenger terminals are connected by buses that run regularly throughout the day, and taxis, rental cars, and limos are readily available for transportation to Sedona.

Flying time to Phoenix is 5½ hours from New York, 3½ hours from Chicago, 1¼ hours from Los Angeles, 11 hours from London, and 12 hours from Frankfurt.

Downtown Sedona is located in Yavapai County approximately 122 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Tours

Tours from Sedona to the Verde Valley, the Grand Canyon, and Flagstaff are readily available.

Getting Around

At present, there is no public transportation available in the town of Sedona. Bicycles, motorcycles, and automobiles are the options currently in use. The Sedona Community Plan is looking at various possibilities for the near future, such as a clean, quiet, efficient shuttle system.

Sedona Kids Activities: Sedona Travel Guide, Discount & Cheap Sedona Travel & Tourism, Free Sedona Travel Guide Online

Rainbow Trout Farm

3500 N. AZ 89A, 3 mi north of Sedona,

Oak Creek Canyon

928/282-3379.

Daily 9-5.

Anglers young and old will enjoy the sure catch at the. For $1 you'll get a cane pole with a hook and bait. There is no charge if your catch is under 8 inches. The real bargain is that the staff will clean and pack your fish for a low cost.

Slide Rock State Park

6871 N. AZ 89A, Oak Creek Canyon,

7 miles north of Sedona

928/282-3034.

Labor Day-Memorial Day, daily 8-5; Memorial Day-Labor, daily Day 8-7.

This is a good place for a picnic. On a hot day, you can plunge down a natural rock slide into a swimming hole. (Bring a set of dry clothes). The only downside to this trip is the traffic on summer weekends.

Red Rock State Park

4050 Red Rock Loop Rd., West.

928/282-6907.

Call ahead for times, which change with the season.

Daily 8-5.

Two miles west of Sedona via AZ 89A is the turnoff for the 286-acre, a less-crowded alternative to the popular Slide Rock State Park, though without the possibility for swimming. The 5 mi of interconnected park trails are well marked and provide beautiful vistas.

There are daily ranger-guided nature walks, bird-watching excursions on Wednesday and Saturday, and a guided hike to Eagle's Nest scenic overlook, the highest point in the park, every

Verde River Canyon Scenic Railroad

Another spectacular trip is the train ride on the that runs from Clarkdale (southwest of Sedona). Expect to see crimson cliffs, the Verde River, prehistoric Native American ruins and maybe even a bald eagle.

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