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This week I came back from my most relaxing and spiritual trip I’ve had to date: Sedona!
With its breathtakingly majestic buttes and lush forests, Sedona is the ultimate destination for families, hikers and a surprising number of spiritual retreat seekers.
Sedona is also known for its vortex sites. According to VisitSedona.com Here is the definition of a vortex:
“What is a vortex? Sedona vortexes (the proper grammatical form ‘vortices’ is rarely used) are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex. Although all of Sedona is considered to be a vortex, there are specific sites where the energy crackles most intensely.”
My first time in Sedona was on a day trip from Phoenix back in 2017, and I knew right away that I was going to be back. However, what I did not know prior to my trip in 2019 was the history of Sedona’s powerful vortex energies. Upon my arrival, I could instantly feel a sense of serenity and peace. Back in January, I walked into a crystal store in LA and experienced dizziness when I touched different crystals for the first time. This sensitivity to subtle energies undoubdtely made me feel the vortex energy in Sedona.
While I sought Sedona for the desert because I’m a desert landscape fanatic, it was unbeknownst to me that people from all over the world go to Sedona for healing activities and other spiritual retreats. Sedona receives 3 million visitors a year – that’s insane considering it has a population of 10,336 year-round permanent residents.
I did a lot of research on this topic and almost everyone agrees that the stark landscape of Sedona with its red rocks evoke a special energy that just wraps you up.
Do you know that feeling of clarity and awareness you get when you open your eyes after a meditation session? That’s exactly how I felt all day everyday there.
Take into account that I had not been out of LA in months, so being in this otherworldly landscape was a huge shift, and therefore a shock to my system. I suspect because of the energy, I didn’t get my usual full night sleep because I woke up several times.
Here’s what I did there on my four days:
Pink Jeep Tour
If you go to Sedona, it goes without saying that you have to go on a Pink Jeep Tour. While the hikes of Sedona are easily accessible, some places are only accessible by permit or with a tour guide. On many of the trails, unless you want to wreck your tires, you must have a specialized 4×4. Our tour guide for the day was Laura Dong, who highly recommend but I’m not sure you can actually pick your tour guide. I chose the Diamond Back Mulch Tour, which was like riding a roller coaster. The group consisted of a small Mexican-American family and me. Whenever the Jeep bounced up and down, the wife, who was sitting right next to me, shrieked hilariously as we held on to the rails wondering whether or not we would make it out alive.
Laura was incredibly knowledgeable and had us giggling the entire time cracking jokes like, “Damn, I should have worn my sports bra today”. She explained some pretty interesting things, like the fact that Sharon Stone owns a property there, or that in order to be a tour guide, you had to go through extensive and tedious tests, one of them driving the Jeep backwards up a steep incline while keeping your composure. This made me feel a lot safer because as we were trying not to fly out of the Jeep, she was talking to us as if she were driving on a straight country lane. To see the different tours and itineraries go to the website.
Laura also used her impressive photography skills to take pictures like this on our phones! What a genius!
She also said in the tour that in Sedona you could do a different hike for two years every day without repeating the same trail! Here are a few of the top-rated hiking trails in Sedona.
Devil’s Bridge
Words can’t describe how stunning the view was in person. The photo doesn’t do it any justice! The hike was about 2 and a half hours, however, the last stretch of the hike is a straight-up vertical climb! It is not super challenging – people of all ages and sizes were doing this hike, but bring a backpack so that you don’t carry too many things in your hands. I’m not going to lie – I was nervous as hell to do this hike. The photo gives you the optical illusion that it’s super narrow, like one bad step and you will fall to your death. However, once everyone was there and realized how wide the bridge actually was, we all sighed with relief. If you drive a 4×4, you can skip an hour of the hike because there’s another parking lot closer to the bridge. Another important tip is to bring water! I came here in winter time so I didn’t need a lot of water, but do not underestimate the desert heat in any of the other seasons! Also don’t forget to bring a hat to avoid getting dust in your hair from the cars driving on the trail, and proper shoe wear if you don’t want to end up with blisters!
Chapter of The Holy Cross
This chapel is anchored between rock formations overlooking Sedona’s panoramic vistas. This place is perfect to see how God and nature meld together. These views, like the rest of Sedona, are truly breathtaking. Being in the presence of God in such a spectacular scenery made me appreciate how truly blessed I was to be there. You can light candles and there’s a gift shop downstairs. Whatever your faith is, don’t miss this beautiful place!
Airport Mesa Road
Another vortex site. This place is also the most popular place in Sedona for watching the sunset. The photos just speak for themselves. Despite the fact that this lookout area is only a few feet away from the parking lot, there’s a little bit of hiking involved so bring good shoes!
Bell Rock
Bell Rock is said to have the strongest Vortex in Sedona. Beautiful hike! You do not have to climb all the way up to get good photos. There are marked trail signs which will lead you to a circular route to get to the summit. It was a cloudy day and there weren’t a lot of people, but at one point there were fewer signs and I started to get slightly lost. With this being said, I went straight where people were going. I had so much fun climbing the rocks but after taking this picture, it started raining and I had a little bit of a heart attack since I didn’t know how difficult it was going to be to climb down! To top this off, the terrain was starting to get slippery! Thank God a group came to my rescue and helped me navigate the difficult boulders. On some of them you were actually getting a full-body workout since you had to use your whole body. I also learned that you must bring a backpack if you’re planning on bringing a water bottle. All of this aside, that spectacular view is still imprinted on my mind. I can’t imagine how stunning it must be on a clear day while watching the sunset. There is a $5 parking fee.
The Body Sattsva
It was a rainy day on December 24th in Sedona. I called at least six spas but they were all booked up for the day. This place was my last option. Shana, the owner, was my savior and told me with a calm voice that she had availability. I’m so happy I came across this place because I had one of the best massages I’ve had in a really long time. Shana is truly a gem and you can instantly feel her positive vibe upon walking onto her porch. This place beats all of the pricey spas in Sedona. During the massage, she asked me how my sleep was, when I told her that I had not gotten a full night sleep since I arrived in Sedona, she said that this place does that to some people due to the vortex energy I mentioned above. Getting this massage on her cozy porch while listening to the pouring rain was the best night I could have ever asked for. I can’t wait to go back next time I’m in town. The price for an hour massage is $60, which, again, is super reasonably priced for Sedona.
This is a private residence, for more information, call Shana (520) 921-9424
Jerome
One of Arizona’s most famous ghost towns is also worthy of a visit! Jerome has been called “America’s most vertical city” because it is built at a 30-degree incline. Perched atop the mountains, you can stay at the historic Jerome Grand Hotel, which was once a hospital in which 9,000 people died. The building was constructed in 1926 and is the most haunted building in Arizona. Hotel guests swear to have experienced paranormal activities. While I didn’t venture that far out, I went to Jerome’s most famous restaurant, The Haunted Hamburger. You have to park down the hill and walk up to the restaurant. This place was featured in articles and TV shows, so I had to go. The hamburger was delicious and very tasty, but the fries were the winner for me! The burger came with homemade guacamole so I didn’t feel the need to add more condiments. There was a bar section in which you could add as many condiments as you wanted. It was a bummer that I went there on a rainy and foggy day, because I could not appreciate the view! The restaurant overlooks Jerome, the valley, and Sedona’s red rocks!
Jerome also goes all out on Halloween! There was also a vintage store with 20th century clothing and the woman who worked there looked like she just stepped out of the Adams family!
Note: Since Jerome is a vertical town, you will be walking uphill most of the time so make sure to bring comfortable shoes!
Other things to do:
Book a stargazing tour! They sell out super fast.
Take a leisurely stroll along the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.
Visit the Montezuma Castle National Monument and Sedona’s Heritage Museum.
Soar through Sedona’s majestic landscape on a hot air balloon with Red Rock Balloon Adventures.
Where to eat:
Breakfast
Coffee Pot Restaurant
2050 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Home to the hundred and one omelettes! This family-style breakfast place is a go-to for locals and tourists alike. Upon your entrance, you will see a bunch of autographed celebrity photos plastered on the wall. If you go late, there will be a little bit of wait. My scrambled eggs were really flavorful, the buttered toasts were perfectly crusty and the coffee was really tasty however, I wouldn’t put it as my top breakfast place in Sedona. I’m more into modern casual style restaurants, not family-style restaurants with enormous menus but that’s just my preference!
The following two places are located at a strip mall called Creekside Plaza:
Creekside Coffee and Bakery
251 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336
PERMANENTLY CLOSED!! July 2021 Note: Creekside Coffee was awesome. Key word: was. They closed last month for a reworking into a place for meetings and group events. Sad face. – Redditor quickdraw6906
The coffee, the avocado and the granola fruit plate were spectacular, but the views? Priceless!
Creekside Coffee and Bakery Instagram
Creekside American Bistro
251 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336
Another spectacular lunch spot in Sedona to enjoy the scenery while eating amazing food! I had the ahi tuna burger and it was delicious to say the least! It was neatly chopped up and the seasoning was on point. Because it was dinner time and I wasn’t that hungry, I ordered the salad, but if your appetite allows, order the fries! There are nothing but good reviews on Yelp. The service was super attentive and I couldn’t have asked for a better dinner experience with such a scenic view. It was almost nighttime so I wasn’t able to take any good pictures, but in the picture above you can see what the view looks like.
Indian Gardens Café and Market
3951 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Unfortunately, after my trip to the Grand Canyon, this place was closed the following two days (Monday and Christmas eve), but this was a highly recommended place according to my research. It’s up in a canyon a little far from Sedona, but the relaxing atmosphere will make up for it. I misread the business hours so after my 20-minute trip from my hotel, you can imagine the look on my face when I found out the closed sign. The location, like the rest of Sedona, was really beautiful, but with more allure considering how isolated it was from the other restaurants. I can’t wait to go back and try out this place!
indiangardens
Bread delivery! Made fresh every morning by bakers at our sister restaurant, @pizzicletta and delivered by 10 to IG. All naturally leavened. Pick up a loaf, order some toast or enjoy it on our sandwiches.
ChocolaTree Organic Eatery
1595 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Best vegan place in Sedona! Your experience will start from the moment you park with the inviting signs. This restaurant is also a holistic store. The best thing of all? They make their own chocolate in-house! The Buddha statues, the eclectic decoration and the fact that they’ve been making their own chocolate since 2005, will offer you a unique vegan eating experience that you can’t easily find in LA.
The menu features a variety of healthy and nourishing dishes like the vegetable spinach curry that I ordered. It was very wholesome food, but it didn’t make me feel overly full or sluggish afterwards. The basmati rice was so good and the rich tasty hot chocolate was the best way to end the day after my hike to The Devil’s Bridge.
There are so many amazing places and food gems in Arizona. Do not limit your time in Sedona!
The Tavern Grille Cottonwood
914 N Main St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Cottonwood is a western town located less than 30 minutes from Sedona. Here you will truly get a sense of being in Southwest America. There were no tourists there and I did get a few inoffensive stares since this place was a tavern environment where everyone knew each other. The service was stellar and the food was a solid 10. I ordered a sandwich (can’t remember the name) and for dessert, the server suggested their homemade carrot cake. The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome, which is the next city, also specialized in carrot cake. I was truly blown away by the taste. My server at The Tavern Grill said she couldn’t fathom how places served premade desserts. “It’s so easy to make!” she said. After my trip, I can earnestly say that Cottonwood and Jerome have the best carrot cake in the US.
Like I said above, I went to The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome. The cake was out of this world, but unfortunately, after I had eaten the burger, I could not finish the whole cake. So I ended up offering the rest to the large party sitting next to me, who were happy to get some extra cake for themselves. They were so nice they even paid me for it even though I was just looking to give it away. What a memorable Christmas lunch!
I carved out one day to go to the Grand Canyon and of course, a stop by Flagstaff was mandatory. If you’re spending a few days in Sedona, go to Flagstaff! Not only is it a mere 39-minute drive from Sedona, but Flagstaff is Arizona’s official Winter Wonderland. While Flagstaff has a very developed foodie scene, here are the two places you can’t miss if you go there!
Macy’s European Coffeehouse and Bakery
14 S Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Macy’s is a really popular place in Flagstaff. If you love coffee, you’ll be in for a treat because the variety of coffees there is really unique and they also roast their own coffee! The prices are also really good, my total order was $9. They also have an impressive vegan pastry selection, but if you want to venture out of your comfort zone, I recommend the Bohemian, which is a delicious blend of coffee, cinnamon and chocolate! Although the service is really fast, try to go early and be careful with parking! I read that since it’s a very visited place, cops love to give parking tickets in this area!
Macy’s European Coffeehouse and Bakery website
Macy’s European Coffeehouse and Bakery Instagram
Pizzicletta
203 W Phoenix Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
For dinner, I stopped at Pizzicletta, one of Arizona’s top restaurants. The layout of Pizzicletta consists of an open kitchen space, a few barstools and a big communal table, which makes it even more intimate and cozy. It’s very tiny!
I ordered the exact same pizza the guy was having in front of me, which was the pizza marguerita with sopressatta. It turns out the girl next to me also had that order! It was too dark for me to take a pic but this is what it looked like.
The ingredients just melted in your mouth and the crust had that perfect wood oven taste. It was ridiculously good and this is coming from someone who prefers pasta over pizza, but the quality of the ingredients really won me over. Pizzicletta is a favorite among Arizonans thanks to their authentic Italian wood-fired pies and top-notch wine selection. I came across this review on TripAdvisor, which I thought would be worth sharing:
“A few years ago, a restaurant critic from the Arizona Republic newspaper in Phoenix made the bold statement that Pizzicletta serves the best pizza in the state. It’s now three years later, and I agree with the reviewer!” SB
If your itinerary allows, this is one of those restaurants that cannot be missed! It was the perfect way to wrap up my day after visiting the Grand Canyon. You will not find this type of pizza in Sedona!
Here are some of Sedona’s most popular (and touristy) restaurants :
Elote Cafe – Mexican
Dahl & Diluca Restaurant – Italian
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill – Latin
Low-key restaurants:
Tamaliza (Organic Mexican)
“Home-made ethnic latin cuisine. Gluten Free. NON-GMO organic corn, Vegan, Vegetarian, Meat options. Traditional family recipes from Central of Mexico, Guerrero, Michoacan, Puebla, Oaxaca and more. Gourmet Tamales, Home-made salsas, Chiles rellenos, mole, enchiladas, beef barbacoa. Pure oils. Natural flavors from natural herbs. NO processed food is allowed in our cooking.”
Other coffee shops:
Synergy Sedona
THEIA’S Sedona
Are you looking for songs to listen to while driving through Arizona’s beautiful desert? Check out my Spotify playlist!
On my way back from Sedona to LA, I made a little trip to Scottsdale. Think Palm Springs but twenty times its size. There is a sense of peace that I find in the desert and that keeps pulling me back. Driving through the Saguaros in the grandiose desert landscape made for an unforgettable drive. I can’t wait to go back and keep discovering Arizona’s amazing natural scenery!
