from a Sedona local, with impossibly high standards 🙃
the best of the best of Sedona
I wrote this guide mostly for………ME. Ha! 😂
I got too many questions asking about where to go and what to see in Sedona.
I grew a little weary saying the same things over and over again.
So here we are!
This page was lasted updated on April 27 2024
Here is a current and ad-free list of all my favorite things. I trust you can go and do your research for each one on your own.
Please keep in mind that this is the best of the best in my opinion. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive list.
This list is always updated as I find new sweet spots!
Below is a table of contents. Click on the link to go directly to the section you’re interested in.
coffee & tea in Sedona
Chai Spot (best authentic chai I’ve had outside of India. I was so surprised to find it in Sedona of all places….you could have knocked me over with a twig)
Freeform Coffee
Fay Cafe
drinks & lounge
Vino di Sedona
the patio when the moon is out is absolutely unbelievable. It’s not worth going to without the patio because it’s tiny inside and they often have live music which is very loud and is grating on the ears
Redwall Lounge
Mooney’s Irish Pub
it’s on this list mostly because it’s the only place in Sedona open till 2AM
best places to eat in Sedona
Gerardo’s Pizza
try one of the trifecta pizzas (so unique!) and the coccoli appetizer
Elote
You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. definitely try the flan.
Saltrock Southwest Kitchen
For breakfast - their lattes are delicious
For dinner - the guac and chips are abysmal. Do not get that. Try the tacos - especially the jackfruit ones for the vegetarians.
Chipotle
Yes, I know! But chipotle has food better than most restaurants in Sedona.
NOTE: If you’re really craving good food, go to Scottsdale. Sedona is not a foodie haven.
I know this is a very short list and you’re probably wondering about a couple of restaurants that are rated highly and are often recommended by people. I don’t agree with those recommendations.
I say save your money and your time- just keep going to these three restaurants.
want a tattoo in Sedona?
go to Artery tattoo in Cottonwood
best. tattoo. place. ever
my artist is Bella
she does many other kinds of tattoos, but I chose her for her line work tattoos.
A word about Sedona hikes
You don’t have to do the difficult hikes to get the magic of Sedona. Sedona offers itself up to you in the most easeful of way. Take your time, go slow, & enjoy yourself
The vortexes are over-hyped and is mostly marketing. Sedona is one giant vortex. Pretty much anywhere you go is soul enriching. The hikes below are where I feel the magic most strongly.
hikes in Sedona with the best views, lots of magic, & relatively quiet
Fay Canyon (go up to the arch - you can find the map to the arch on all trails - pictured here)
Raven Caves
Birthing Cave
Carrol Canyon
Secret Slickrock Trail (keep going past the end of the trail and on to the Ridge trail. It’s quieter past the end)
Unless you go to the fay arch or hike into the belly of the birthing cave, all of these hikes are very easy and require no technical skills or rock climbing. They’re also great for the elderly.
hikes in Sedona that are more strenuous, but very quiet. And have the best views.
Schuerman Mountain Trail
Doe Mountain Trail
hikes in Sedona with the best views, lots of magic, but…. not-so-quiet
Cathedral Rock
Chapel of the Holy Cross (not really a hike, but you can always turn it into one and hike the chapel trail)
‘spiritual’ things to do in Sedona
Everything on this list will help you go deeper into your own spirit. I don’t have anything ‘new age’ related for you. To me there’s a big distinction between new age and spirituality.
I’ve heard people describe Sedona as a spiritual high school. I would go even further to describe it as spiritual kindergarten.
Come here for the land. Let nature work on you. Let the wilds call you home.
If you want to buy crystals, please consider buying them second hand. I know there are a lot of beautiful crystal shops in Sedona. But there are beautiful crystals on facebook marketplace, consignment stores, second hand stores, etc. We don’t need to be blowing up the earth for our spirituality.
I’ve been told there are a lot of amazing sound baths. Personally I haven’t been to one that I liked (yet).
other unique, non-hiking things to check out
Quality Groceries
Natural Grocers
Interdependance (I get raw milk from here)
Sedona Farmers Market
Unique Fitness-ish Classes
Aerial Yoga (at Sedona Hot Yoga studio)
Goddess Yoga (at Sedona Hot Yoga studio)
Pilates Reformer Classes (at Sultivate studio)
Radical Rebounding
Spas
True Rest Float Spa
Activities
Pink Jeep Tours
Social Groups
Join a local meetup group to meet like minded people - I highly recommend my social group for grounded spiritual women - Gather the Women
out of Sedona (yet closeby) sites
Montezuma Castle
V Bar V Petroglyphs
Jerome
things I want to try but have not yet
Mesa Grill
Boba shop in uptown
Wolf sanctuary
West Fork trail
Wildcraft Kitchen
Watson Lake - Prescott
Fossil Creek
transportation in and to Sedona
Getting to Sedona: Groome Transportation is incredibly reliable to and from the main areas - airport to Sedona, Prescott, Tuscon, etc
Within Sedona transportation: it is best to hire a rental from Phoenix or a bigger city/town. Hire an SUV or a higher clearance vehicle especially if you plan on driving on the rocky roads. There’s very few Uber options within Sedona.