Sedona is always a good idea for a desert escape. This is our fourth visit, and the landscape, vibe, energy, Uptown strolls, and fantastic food scene never get old. The flight to Phoenix from San Diego is only forty-six minutes, followed by a two-hour drive. You’ll immediately melt into the picturesque red-hued backdrop, hugged by bright blue skies. Two nights are just enough time to reset and return to life invigorated.
After the flight and drive, you’ll certainly be hungry. Sedona has a vibrant food scene with many options that will surpass your expectations. We dined at The Vault for our first meal, boasting stunning views, well-made food, and refreshing cocktails. We especially enjoyed sipping on “The Gunslinger,” comprised of mezcal, grapefruit, aperol, lime, house-made cinnamon syrup, and chocolate bitters. For perfect accompaniments, dive into the “trash can nachos”, loaded with shredded beef, cheddar jack, and queso fresco, black beans, jalapenos, cilantro, red onions, pico de Gallo, and sour cream. The bison sliders doused in grilled onions, white cheddar, and smoked mayonnaise in a pretzel bun are delicious too!
2) Settle into Your Airbnb
Many homes in the area are tucked in a valley lined with breathtaking views of rust colored mountains. Settle in and enjoy the desert views and the wildlife that likes to stop by for a visit.
3) Enjoy a Beautiful Evening
For our first evening, we preferred to lounge in the house, savor a delicious meal cooked by our trained chef friend, sit by the fire pit with glasses of wine to appreciate the golden sunset, and stargaze. However, should you wish to venture out for dinner, you’ll have plenty of outstanding options.
1) Get Lost on the Main Strip
After sipping on coffee in your pajamas and easing into the day, make your way to Uptown, the main shopping district packed with crystal vortex shops, restaurants, Native American specialty stores, and galleries amid endless scenic vistas.
Mesa Grill is a Sedona favorite and rightfully so. Their southwestern-inspired menu overlooks Sedona Airport, yielding a delicious and fun experience. The wagyu burger and carne asada salmon were a huge hit!
3) Walk Off Those Calories in a Traditional Mexican Village
Nestled between vine-hugged arches, Mediterranean tiles, sycamore trees, and multiple fountains, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village offers one of the most beautiful shopping experiences you will come across. Follow the cobblestone walkways to bespoke shops, unique galleries, and wonderful architectural surprises.
4) Enjoy Fine Dining at its Best
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grilled has been rated Sedona’s best for many years. Reservations are not easy to come by, so plan ahead if you want to snatch seats at this fine dining institution. As the dress code requires, dress your best as one of the country’s most celebrated female chefs works her best to impress you with a memorable meal. The steak dishes are perfectly prepared and will leave you craving more for days.
1) Gasp at Nature’s Wonders
Take the windy road up the mountain to find Airport Vista Overlook. Your mind will roam into pioneer days, imagining the explorers who wandered through these magical valleys as they felt joyful delight in discovering this land. The panoramic view from the overlook is breathtaking.
Sedona vortexes are abundant and healing in nature, and they draw many people to their powerful energy. You’ll have many options to choose from. We decided to walk the trails of Cathedral Rock to soak in its spectacular views and tap into its well-known high level of vortex energy.
3) Explore “The World’s First Prototype Arcology”
Seventy minutes north of Sedona, a unique experience awaits at Arcosanti, an “ongoing experiment in architecture, ecology, art, and community that you won’t find anywhere else in the world”. Take a ninety-minute guided tour to understand the intention behind this project and see for yourselves why thousands of people visit this remote wonder each year. Make sure to stop in their gift shop to purchase their world-famous bronze and ceramic windbells – each hand-crafted and guaranteed to be the only one like it.
4) Last Lunch Before Leaving
All good things come to an end, and there is no better way to wrap up a great trip than with one last delicious meal. Creekside Lodge & Cabins, just six miles from Arcosanti, hosts The Cellar at Creekside, offering comfort food with great customer service. The cozy inn has a warm staff, and the kitchen makes a mean burger.
5) Wander in an Artist’s Haven
The famous bells sold in Arcosanti are made twenty minutes outside of Phoenix in Paradise Valley at Cosanti Orginals. This architectural wonder was built in the 1950s by an Italian architect and has since been placed on Arizona’s registry of historical places. Truly unique and inspiring, this space is a hidden gem.
Two nights did the trick, although three nights is the ideal recommended amount of time to truly appreciate and savor the magical trails, the jaw-dropping sunsets, the endless magical menus, and the overall vibe that will slow you down and inevitably bring your soul to a centered place of bliss and your palate to a well-pleased place.
