When you’re celebrating your 180th birthday, you gotta do it up right. My college friends Dave and Russ and I take a trip together nearly every year, and this time all three of us were turning 60. Russ (aka The Chicago Window Guy) had just bought a house in Sedona and wanted to check on the progress of the upgrades he was making. Boom — birthday weekend in Red Rock country. A weekend wasn’t nearly enough, so here are my top reasons why I love Sedona and can’t wait to go back.
After flying into Phoenix, we spent some time with America’s pastime. We caught a Diamondbacks game with great seats behind home plate, a great selection of refreshments, and — greatest of all — Chase Field is air conditioned. The D-backs won, and so did we.
Driving to Sedona: Red Rocks and Blue Skies
Sedona is a short (and beautiful) two-hour drive from Phoenix. Sedona has been called a cathedral without walls, and now I understand why. As you approach the town it feels sacred, as if mysterious forces are emanating from those red rocks. People come here from all over the world for the mystical vortexes and natural healing powers. We came for the ATVs and beer.
Eatin’ dirt on an ATV adventure
We booked a revved-up ride with Arizona ATV Adventures, the only guided tour outfit in the area. Our guide Taylor was awesome — a cool kid who led us on a three-hour tour through the desert, up and down mountains, and past herds of pronghorn antelope. We were all first-time riders, but it won’t be our last.
Hiking West Fork Trail
This six-mile hike is amazing, winding your way through the cliffs and canyons of Coconino National Forest. It helps to download AllTrails, since there are plenty of overlapping trails that intersect. There’s parking and restrooms at the trailhead, and the views are stunning, especially early or late in the day — it’s also easier to snag a parking spot then.
This golf course is beautiful even if your game isn’t
One of America’s most scenic golf experiences, Sedona Golf Resort is a challenging 18-hole public course nestled between massive red rock mesas. It’s like golfing in the Grand Canyon. After that round, I’m not sure “bragging rights” is an accurate way to describe our scores.
The greatest IPA I’ve ever had
I like IPAs. Love them when they’re just right. And this one is. The Tower Station IPA from Mother Road Brewing, just up the road from Sedona in Flagstaff. Route 66 runs through Flagstaff, and John Steinbeck famously named the iconic highway “the mother road” in The Grapes of Wrath. This beer is one of the tastiest, most refreshing IPAs in all the land, with a perfect mix of citrus, hops, and hue.
Tlaquepaque. Hard to say, easy to love.
While shopping isn’t really our thing, this arts-and-shopping village is a good wander. It’s challenging to pronounce at first, but Tlaquepaque means “the best of everything.” Styled like a traditional Mexican village, it’s been a Sedona landmark since the 1970s.
The “don’t look down” rush of Devil’s Bridge
This was the final hike of our visit, and we definitely saved the best for last. It’s six miles round trip and one of the greatest hikes you’ll ever do, leading to a breathtaking, daredevil view. And no joke — bring water. Everywhere you go.
Pro tip: If you can time your hike so you arrive around sunset, the light in the canyon is spectacular.
There are so many reasons why I love Sedona. Here’s one more: if you’re up for the drive, add to your Arizona adventure with a trip to the stunning Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, about a three-hour drive north of Sedona. You’ve seen them used in screen savers, and for good reason — they’re breathtaking.