Here’s Why Sedona Should Be Your Next Girls’ Trip Destination
Sedona, Arizona, with its vibrant red rocks, mystical energy vortexes, and luxurious accommodations, provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable girls’ weekend. To celebrate our 40th birthdays this year, my college best friends and I embarked on an epic girls’ weekend in Sedona, Arizona, last month. We craved adventure, relaxation, and a touch of spiritual rejuvenation, and Sedona exceeded all expectations.
Escape the winter blues and embrace the natural beauty of the red rocks; here are 11 reasons Sedona should be your next girls’ trip destination.
Culinary Delights at Elote
After unpacking and a quick walk around Uptown, we started our weekend with dinner at Elote, a renowned restaurant offering innovative Mexican cuisine with a modern twist.
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Sedona, and reservations are a must. No reservations? They also accept take-out orders– I recommend grabbing a margarita from the bar, and then sitting around the outdoor fire pit while you wait for your food.
As girls who love food, we naturally split most of the menu. Highlights include the namesake, elote, with fire-roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime, and cojita cheese. The grilled nopales salad was delicious– a nice balance of texture and flavor. An order of enchiladas is a must, along with the green corn tamal served with salsa verde and tangy crema.
Book the Hot Air Balloon Ride
Yes, the hot air balloon ride is worth it. Of all our weekend experiences, this topped our list– at once thrilling and peaceful. Enjoy panoramic views of the red rocks, canyons, and valleys as you drift silently through the air.
As my friend Amie Kesler, founder of Caroyln’ Krisps said, “The hot air balloon ride allowed me to unwind and really take in the scenery. It had such a beauty and calm that I wasn’t expecting. Sedona really does have a magic to it.” We booked this for our first morning, which perfectly set the tone for the weekend. We used Red Rock Balloons, and the entire staff was welcoming and fun.
Hiking Chimney Rock
After our hot air balloon ride – and pit stop for coffee at Sedonuts – we headed to the Andante Trailhead for a morning hike around Chimney Rock. The trail, a moderate climb through a picturesque landscape of red rocks and juniper trees, provided ample opportunities to stop and soak in the scenery.
On our return loop, we made a detour to the Amitabha Stupa Peace Park. This serene destination, dedicated to prayer, meditation, and peace, features a stupa honoring the Buddha Amitabha.
In Buddhist tradition, Amitabha is revered as the Buddha of Limitless Light or Limitless Life, believed to guide individuals towards enlightenment at the time of their passing. The Amitabha Stupa is considered an enlightenment stupa, a place of profound spiritual significance. We each set an intention for the year ahead, then headed to Arizona wine country.
Verde Valley Vino
What’s a girl’s trip without wine? The Verde Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), a 15-minute drive from downtown Sedona, boasts a surprising viticultural scene. This region’s unique microclimate, characterized by abundant sunshine, cool nights, and fertile volcanic soil, provides ideal conditions for cultivating grapes.
We stopped by Page Springs Cellars for tasting and lunch. Sit down at their tasting room or book a tour, where you’ll get an insider’s look into their winemaking alongside your tastes.
Stay for lunch (I highly recommend the blood orange & beet salad and mushroom pizza), or order a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine from their Picnic Window and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding Page Spring Cellars. With bocce, chess, horseshoes, and corn-hole available, you can easily spend your entire afternoon here.
Exploring Tlaquepaque Village
Tlaquepaque, (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh), a charming Arts & Crafts Village, is a must-visit during any Sedona trip. Inspired by traditional Mexican villages, this unique destination features cobblestone walkways, arched entryways, and lush greenery, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
Explore the numerous galleries and shops showcasing local artists, making time to stop at Vino Zona. Owned by Ginger Mackenzie, Vino Zona is a wine shop exclusively supporting local, small-batch winemakers and artists.
When we arrived for our reservation, Ginger asked us each what types of wines we liked (and didn’t like) and then crafted a tasting menu personalized for each of us. Besides introducing us to local wines (try the Oak Creek viognier if it’s available– golden and deliciously dry), Vino Zona also carries exclusive varieties made just for the tasting room. Sips of the Sassy Redhead and Bombshell Blonde are a must.
A Sunset Hike for Awe-Inspiring Views
Make time for a sunset hike sometime during your weekend. We rented a home in Uptown that was walkable to the Javelina Trailhead. Most evenings, we ended our day by grabbing our headlamps and heading out to the top of Grand Central to enjoy the vibrant colors as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Almost anywhere you stay in Sedona is less than 10-15 minutes to a trailhead, and watching the sun go down over the red rocks is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Fine Dining at The Vault
The Vault Uptown, offering innovative American cuisine focusing on locally sourced ingredients, is not just good – it’s exceptional.
In classic girls’ night out fashion, we opted for a combination of appetizers, salads, and their signature nachos to share. The flavors were exquisite, and the meal lived up to the hype.
Rise & Shine Yoga on the Vortex
Kickstart your day with an unforgettable outdoor yoga experience. Aumbase Sedona offers a “Rise and Shine Yoga on the Vortex” class daily on the powerful Airport Mesa Vortex.
Our experienced instructor, Liliana Salas, led us on a beautiful Vinyasa yoga flow on the mountainside, with modifications offered for all levels. The combination of the views, invigorating yoga practice, and energy of the Vortex created a memorable morning experience.
Note that the Rise and Shine Yoga on the Vortex (and private yoga hikes) are very popular, especially during the summer and fall, so booking in advance is recommended.
Find Your Adventure with Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in Sedona wasn’t initially on my radar. Frankly, my last outdoor bike ride was years ago. But, in the spirit of “YOLO” and the adventurous vibe of Sedona, we decided to give it a try.
Thunder Mountain Bikes set us up with properly sized bikes, helmets, and a trail map tailored to our (admittedly limited) experience. As a locally and independently owned bike shop, they went above and beyond to ensure that our experience was tailored to what we were looking for. As Courteney Bechtel, owner of Pax Supply Co., put it, “There was something so fun about overcoming the challenge of mountain biking. I felt like an imposter going in—am I really going to mountain bike?—but seeing how doable and enjoyable it was, riding bikes was a highlight of my weekend.”
Hike to Devil’s Bridge
After our morning bike ride, we refueled at Biff’s Bagelmobile, located right outside Thunder Mountain Bikes, and headed to Devil’s Bridge. Challenge yourselves with a moderate hike to Devil’s Bridge, a natural sandstone arch offering breathtaking views. There are a few different trails to get you to Devil’s Bridge, and we opted for the shorter, Jeep road route.
As parking can be challenging, Sedona Shuttle is by far the easiest way to access the trail. Take the Dry Creek Trailhead Shuttle (Routes 11 or 12) from the Posse Grounds Park and Ride to the Dry Creek Trailhead. From there, you’ll hike up Dry Creek Trail for about a mile and connect to the Devil’s Bridge Trail.
Dine at Costa by Madrid
The most memorable dining experience of the weekend was our final dinner at Costa by Madrid. Popular with locals and tourists, Costa offers modern Latin cuisine by Chef Roberto Madrid. Costa celebrates Latin heritage, thoughtfully created with layers of flavors and textures and an extensive wine list. It was the perfect location to celebrate our milestone birthdays.
The menu comprises primarily of small tapas plates, with a few larger entrees to round out the meal. I love this type of experience as it allows you to try a bit of everything, and once you peek at the menu, you will want to order everything.
We started with most of the small plates– highlights include the Chicharron de Cameron, Empanadas, Hamachi, and Ceviche Mixto. We also ordered the Chilean seabass and all the sides; don’t sleep on the side dishes here. They are just as flavorful and well-executed as the other dishes. The platter of grilled mushrooms and chickpeas was outstanding.
Sunrise Hike to Cathedral Rock
The perfect end to the perfect weekend– a sunrise hike up to Cathedral Rock. We timed this to start the hike an hour before sunrise, allowing us plenty of time to navigate the challenging hike. Enjoy panoramic views as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the red rocks, creating a magical atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a destination that offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and spiritual connection, Sedona is calling. Gather your best friends, pack your bags, and prepare to be amazed.
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