The Wonder and Mystique of Sedona, AZ

Sedona is one of those magical places that should be on everyone’s top-20 list of places to visit.  The brilliance of the red rock spires, the adventure of exploration,  the spiritual feeling one gets when meditating on the serene banks of Oak Creek…it’s just an amazing place.

There is so much to see and do in Sedona, from the various Jeep tours to meditation and walking tours. To shopping, gallery hopping, hiking, biking and dining at wonderful restaurants to playing in the crystal clear waters of Oak Creek in the Slide Rock state park.

Sedona has been a magnet for people of all walks of life…from those seeking adventure and beauty to a relaxing spa retreat, to those looking for a spiritual journey—trust me, Sedona accommodates your needs.

I have lived in Arizona off/on for most of my life and have been to Sedona countless times.  I’ve stayed at a variety of places, from hotels, B&B’s to timeshare condos and even camping out.  My favorite place is a place I’ve never even stayed, it’s called the Briar Patch Inn and it’s located on the most majestic stretch of Oak Creek Canyon that I think you’ll find.  Briar Patch Inn sits on a huge nine acre parcel, much of which is right on the banks of Oak Creek.  They have nineteen cabin/cottages with some wonderfully landscaped common areas that include hammocks,  creek-side table & chairs and pathways throughout…many leading down to the creek.

I’ve eaten at a number of restaurants in the Sedona area…many cater to the tourist crowd and are fine, but often over-priced for the quality.   A couple of places that stand out are just outside of the downtown area, D’Lish is a great vegetarian place on the West side.  If you like Thai food, there is a great (albeit small) place just south of downtown on 179 called Tara Thai. For a bit higher-end, try Fournos or L’ Auberge for wonderful creek-side dining. For breakfast, I love the Wildflower Bread Company, it sits atop the downtown area with wonderful patio views—they have the most scrumptious breakfasts with wonderful coffee and pastries.

Visitors to Sedona have a great choice of activities and sites to see. There are several world class golf courses and spas; adventurous, fun and educational jeep tours; ancient ruins; hiking and Mt.-biking trails that wind through what USA Today declared “The Most Beautiful Place in America.” In addition, Trip Advisor announced that Sedona won fifth place in its top-ten Travelers’ Choice US Destinations.

Tourists often find the following nearby attractions of interest:

• The amazing Chapel of the Holy Cross, an architectural masterpiece built right into the red rocks.
• The  Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument, incredible examples of ancient Sinagua Indian dwellings.
• Cottonwood for the Verde Valley Train Ride.
• And Jerome for its eclectic artist hilltop town, full of galleries and historic buildings.

Click the following link for additional pictures of Sedona.  You can also view my photo gallery for pictures of Slide Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross and Oak Creek Canyon.