from a Sedona local to you
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 August 16 2026
This is a safe space. No annoying ads or long stories - you’re welcome :)
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. A lot of Sedona is catered to tourists - not necessarily quality. So this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list. I’m picky. I’m sure you’ll find many more places to your liking but this is my guaranteed best.
Below is a table of contents. Click on the link to go directly to the section you’re interested in.
DOGGO RESOURCES
It’s really difficult to find good dog places anywhere you go. These are the places I personally stand by.
Bell Rock Veterinary Clinic
Diana’s Grooming Studio (Cottonwood)
Applewood Kennels (dog boarding/daycare) - Cottonwood
Golden Bone Pet Products
Ace Hardware Store in Sedona has a surprisingly good dog section.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEDONA
*out of Sedona (yet close by) must-see heritage sites
*things I haven’t tried yet, but I will
*transportation to and in Sedona
coffee & tea in Sedona
This list is in order of awesomeness - starting with the most awesome to the okay awesome
Freeform Coffee
This is a tiny cafe. They have good coffee drinks. They do not have wifi. Best coffee in Sedona hands down. Wildcraft also carries their beans.
Chai Spot
This is the 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!
Sosta (Flagstaff)
This is such a lovely place that even though it’s not in Sedona, I had to mention it. It’s only 1 hour away. It has delicious food, coffee, sparkling water on tap, and 3 spaces for sitting. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a coffee shop
Wildcraft Kitchen
I’m a sucker for their coffee drinks in those beautiful mugs. They also has wifi! And that’s rare for Sedona.
Black Potion
They don’t have wifi. They make some great coffee drinks. Try their salted praline latte!
drinks & lounge
Redwall Lounge
try their old fashioned or their coffee martini! Avoid their cheese platters.
Basecamp Sedona Beer Company (West Sedona location)
this place has everything - decent food to nibble on, great beer menu, games, and views. Only downside is that they close at 8PM.
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
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
Elote
You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Definitely try the corn cake and the mojitos. Non-vegetarians will love the lamb chops or the pork cheeks. I would say just keeping going to this restaurant and try everything on the menu. There’s nothing else as worth it in Sedona.
Vespa
I absolutely love their pizzas. And their cesar salad. The only thing I dislike is how they won’t substitute anything without adding a $3-$5 charge. If I wanted to substitute meat for a veggie they charge me additional. That’s not fair to me at all. Other than that, they’re groovy.
Gerardo’s Pizza
try one of the trifecta pizzas (so unique!) and the coccoli appetizer
Angel Kitchen
love everything on their menu and the ambience.
Wildcraft Kitchen
I love this place both for the food and the drinks. The quality for the price is unmatched in Sedona. The views are lovely too.
Local Juicery
I love this place for the smashed avocado toast. I also like sitting outside an sipping on a drink.
Chipotle
Yes, I know! But chipotle has food better than most restaurants in Sedona. And the views of the red rocks are just perfection. Where else will you find a Chipotle like this?!
Basecamp (West Sedona location)
I love that their menu rotates. I love that they always have good veggie options that’s not just mushrooms, potatoes, or eggplant. It’s a chef kinda chef creating the menu and it shows.
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 the restaurants on this list.
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.
easy 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. This makes it a moderate hike)
Secret Slickrock Trail (keep going past the end of the trail and on to the Ridge trail. It’s quieter past the end)
Airport Vortex (try this trail for a Sedona sunrise hike - really good for people who want to get to the sunrise spot quick and need more time to sleep in)
All of these hikes are very easy and require no technical skills or rock climbing. They’re also great for the elderly.
moderate hikes in Sedona….but more quiet. And have the best views.
Schuerman Mountain Trail
Doe Mountain Trail
Twin Buttes Trail (Broken Arrow area) - my new favorite trail
Raven Caves (go ALL THE WAY to the end of the caves and go down to the creek too. This makes it a more moderate hike)
Munds Wagon
Carrol Canyon
Birthing Cave (it’s a moderate hike into the belly of the cave)
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)
Airport Mesa (I really like the view at the top and I love the loop hike too)
best spots to watch the sunrise in sedona
My favorite hikes in Sedona are the sunrise hikes. I just can’t seem to get enough! Pretty much anywhere with a higher elevation will do. But these ones are my favorite.
Cathedral Rock
Sugarloaf Summit
Doe Mountain
Schuerman Mountain
nearby-ish hikes out of sedona
Watson Lake - Prescott.
this concludes all the hiking related recommendations
now on to the other stuff!
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.
‘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.
Quality Groceries
Sedona Farmers Market
Natural Grocers
Unique Fitness-ish Classes
Pilates Reformer Classes or any other classes (at Sultivate studio)
Goddess Yoga (at Sedona Hot Yoga studio)
Radical Rebounding
Take an Art Class
Sedona Arts Center - take any type of art class (from one day to a few weeks)
Other Unique Sedona Activities
Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross
Uptown area has a few beautiful stores for shopping - Earthbound, Spice & Tea Exchange of Sedona, etc.
Watch an independent film at Mary D Fisher Theater (Sedona Film Festival Theaters)
Any of the Pink Jeep Tours
out of Sedona (yet closeby) sites
Montezuma Castle
V Bar V Petroglyphs
Jerome
things I want to try but have not yet
Wolf sanctuary
West Fork trail (I’m nervous about the bacteria found in the creek)
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.
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