SPOTLIGHT
SEDONA
KATHLEEN BRYANT
Locals like to quip, God created the Grand Canyon, but He lives in Sedona. Named the most beautiful place in America by USA Today, Sedona encompasses crimson spires and mesas, evergreen woodlands, and sparkling Oak Creek. The landscape is simply stunning, especially when the stone monoliths and sheer cliffs are burnished by the setting sun.
Sedonas red- and buff-colored rocks mark the southern rim of the Colorado Plateau, a massive expanse of land that rises 2,000 feet from the high-desert floor and stretches into Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. The colorful stone layers underlying the plateau are revealed here, shaped by geological forces into blocky formations and delicate spires that seem to defy gravity.
The evocative terrain attracts an eclectic following of visitors and residents. Hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers of all skill levels come to scale the colossal buttes, while photographers and painters hope to be inspired by their beauty. Spiritual pilgrims, too, are drawn by the landscape; many believe it is marked by centers of spiraling energy, called vortexes. For others, the scenery merely serves as a magnificent backdrop for golf games, Southwestern cuisine, and rejuvenating spa treatments.
Sedonas fame as a travel destination belies its relatively small size. Situated about 90 minutes north of Phoenix, the 19-square-mile community can be divided into three distinct areas: the Village of Oak Creek, Uptown, and West Sedona. Just north is Oak Creek Canyon, a shady retreat with campgrounds, picnic areas, swimming holes, and Slide Rock State Park. To the southwest lies the Verde Valley and Jerome.
Red Rock Scenic Byway
Visitors driving from Phoenix on State Route 179 will arrive first in the Village of Oak Creek, an unincorporated area of golf resorts, shopping centers, hotels, and restaurants. The village or VOC, as its often known, is a handy option for exploring the red rocks and feels pleasantly less congested than the rest of Sedona.
Continue north on State Route 179, known as Red Rock Scenic Byway, and youll see prominent formations like Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and The Nuns. Once you cross over the leafy banks of Oak Creek, youll arrive at the Y, a three-pronged intersection that splits West Sedona and Uptown. Touristy Uptown commands impressive views and caters to visitors by offering a diverse selection of accommodations, restaurants, galleries, and shops. Youll find locals, as well as less-expensive hotels and popular bars and bistros, in West Sedona.
Though it can be hard at times to look beyond the hordes of shoppers, convoys of brightly painted tour Jeeps, and storefronts hawking time-shares or psychic readings, none of these can distract from the magical landscape. After all, no matter where you go or what you do in Sedona, the red rocks are a constant presence, reminding you that everything else is a mere blip on the grand geological scale that resulted in this very special place.
PLANNING YOUR TIME
Sedona makes a terrific getaway, whether you have a day or a week, offering scenic beauty and interesting sites within a relatively compact area. The city has developed to accommodate legions of tourists, and its pedestrian-friendly shopping areas, varied restaurants, and intriguing galleriesbackdropped by gorgeous red rocksmake getting around easy and fun.
LOOK FOR M TO FIND RECOMMENDED SIGHTS, ACTIVITIES, DINING, AND LODGING.
M Chapel of the Holy Cross: Admire this iconic church, which appears to rise from the red rocks in a brilliant union of art, nature, and God. Its quiet interior is the perfect place to contemplate Sedonas majestic landscape ().
M Airport Mesa: Enjoy a birds-eye view of the red rocks from the top of Airport Mesa, and see if you can recognize Chimney Rock, Capitol Butte, Steamboat, and other colorfully eroded formations ().
M Red Rock Crossing: Behold whats said to be the most photographed view in Arizona: the majestic spires of Cathedral Rock rising above Oak Creek at Crescent Moon Ranch Picnic Area. Find the right spot, and youll see them reflecting in the creeks clear waters ().
M Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village: Visit Sedonas charming art-focused shopping village, inspired by Colonial Mexico. It boasts some of the citys best shops, galleries, and restaurants ().
M Oak Creek Canyon: Drive the scenic highway through this leafy refuge north of Sedona. The quiet, wooded setting is an ideal place to take a hike. Kids will want to slip down the natural chute at Slide Rock State Park ().
M Jerome: Explore this hillside mining town perched above the Verde Valley, which locals like to say is haunted. The narrow streets that were once home to saloons and brothels now feature small restaurants, galleries, and shops ().
M Montezuma Castle National Monument: Discover one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the country. The five-story, 20-room pueblo, which clings to side of a limestone wall 75 feet above the ground, is an impressive testament to the ingenuity of the prehistoric Sinagua culture ().
Couples yearning for a romantic weekend can easily pop up from Phoenix for an overnight stay at one of Sedonas charming resorts or inns. More adventurous travelers, though, may want to stay longer in order to explore the natural beauty and historic sites throughout the Verde Valley. Sedona is a convenient home base for scenic drives to fascinating archaeological sites or the mining town of Jerome. Outdoor lovers could easily spend days hiking and biking forest trails, playing golf or tennis, investigating vortex sites, or kayaking down Oak Creek to a wine-tasting room.
No matter what time of year you visit, Sedonas landscape is enchanting. When temperatures are mild, spring wildflowers or autumn leaves are added incentives. Summer, on the other hand, is hot, with highs in the mid- to high-90s, though it cools off considerably at night. The occasional dusting of snowalong with annual holiday lights and hotel bargainsmake a winter trip an intriguing option.
Uptown Sedonas shops and galleries, with Snoopy Rock in the background
HISTORY
To first-time visitors, Sedona may appear to be a newly inhabited boomtown. Sure, its red buttes are millions of years old, but the freshly stuccoed shopping centers and recently constructed housing developments dont inspire a sense of history. The truth is, though, people have been coming to Sedona and the Verde Valley for thousands of years, lured by the dramatic surroundings, rich natural resources, and mild climate.
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