The splendor of Sedona begins as you approach along the highway and are amazed by your first views of the towering red rock formations that surround this quaint city. It is the first glimpse of these red rocks that have been entrancing visitors for generations. These are not mountains, but natural sculptures including buttes, mesas, towers and the magical vortex created by years of erosion. These unusual configurations appear to subtly change color and to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to photograph the vibrant colors.

The city of Sedona is not large. The population is approximately 13,000 and the total area is estimated to be 18.6 square miles. Most residents live in West Sedona. Upwards of five million tourists visit Sedona each year. It is not surprising that the main and possibly only industry in the city is tourism. There are a number of excellent restaurants and luxurious hotels. We were told, and it is easy to believe, that there is not a hotel room in the city without an outstanding view.

The city was named for Sedona Arabelle Snedley, the wife of the city’s founder and first postmaster. The legend says that Snedley wanted to name the City Snedley’s Station but the state postal service would only accept new towns with one name…hence Sedona. The area enjoys an always comfortable year around temperate high desert climate with the most rain in the summer. The red rock formations contain some iron which contributes to their red color. They make it difficult to use a compass effectively and attract many lightening strikes especially in the summer. The numerous Arizona Cypress trees also contain a high percentage of iron and 90 percent of lightening-strikes hit these trees. They are not a good place to seek shelter in a summer storm.

Sedona was a carefully planned city and the city founders declared that there would be only nine basic colors allowed in the building and landscaping of the city. These included a variety of dull reds and sandstone shades. All of the sidewalks are tinted red. Even the McDonalds had to change their colors to fit the city plan. Their bright yellow arches did not fit the color scheme and had to be changed to green which was allowed because it conformed to the natural greenery of the area. No building is over two stories high and there are no bright street lights. The “low light” plan allows the stars to be more visible within the city at night. It is said that the Grand Canyon is more awesome and dramatic than Sedona, but Sedona is more beautiful. A hard choice.

The red rocks are visible from every point on the city streets, but in order to get the real feel for these natural wonders, the visitor should venture into the surrounding area. As a start, we took the trolley rides which leave from the Uptown Trolley Depot and take visitors either west through Sedona, the Dry Creek Valley, Boynton and Long Canyons or south to Tlaquepaque, Gallery Row and the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross. Visitors can also drive to all of these locations and many more scenic areas. Maps are available from the tourist bureau in Uptown Sedona.

One of the main attractions in Sedona is hiking into the countryside. Each year thousands of hikers enjoy the scenic trails. Trails vary in length and difficulty and a complete list of all trails and the precautions necessary to maintain safety while hiking is available from the Tourist Bureau. All trails are well marked and easy to find. Several are within walking distance from the center of Sedona.

Other ways to view the area and participate in the available activities are horseback riding, balloon rides, camping, fishing, golfing, mountain biking, the scenic railroad, driving the many scenic highways, air tours, or the Sedona jeep tours into the back country. All of the tours have one thing in common…they all take advantage of the exceptional views and the breathtaking red rocks.

Sedona is full of outstanding restaurants and hotels. Restaurants from pizza places to sumptuous and elegant restaurants abound. Our favorites, actually two not to be missed, are the Dahl and di Luca and the Cucina Rustica. They were outstanding. We were pleasantly surprised to meet one of the charming and beautiful owners, Lisa Dahl,and I now have a copy of her cook book with many of the recipes from the two restaurants. Additional recipes are available from wwwLIVINGDAHL.com.

It is easy to spend a couple of weeks in Sedona and never run out of things to do or tire of the scenery. Sedona is also an ideal place to use as a base for visiting the nearby areas of Jerome, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and Scottsdale. Whether you are a senior enjoying retirement or part of an active busy family, Sedona is an ideal destination.


Contact: www.VisitSedona or call 800-288-7336