Top Picks By Sedona Locals
Planning a trip to Sedona, AZ? At Pink Jeep Tours, many of us are lucky to call Sedona home. We live, work and play in “the most beautiful place on earth.” EVERY DAY! So, what better way to plan your adventure than with a few tips from the locals?
With temperatures soaring from coast to coast, everyone is feeling the need for a break. But where to go? While Sedona has been hotter than usual this year, it’s still 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
We’re A LOT less humid than Illinois, New York, Texas, Florida…and about 44 other states. That means…well, it’s dry heat here! (Same temp + high humidity = soaking sauna elsewhere.)
To help you enjoy your visit, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite places—for dining, shopping, outdoor pursuits and more.
First, let’s get oriented:
Sedona is small and categorized into three sections: West Sedona, Uptown Sedona and South Sedona. The “Y” is the junction at Hwy 89A and Hwy 179, where the three meet. (TIP: Plan ahead…there’s no way to avoid it!)
North 89A climbs through Oak Creek Scenic Drive towards Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. South Hwy 179 winds past Tlaquepaque and along Gallery Row towards the Village of Oak Creek.
“The Village,” as the locals call it, is a gateway town into Sedona and the area of red rock country marked by Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.
SEDONA CUISINE
FOR BREAKFAST
Coffee Pot Restaurant
Home of 101 Omelets! Family-owned and operated for 30 years, every day is different here. They don’t take reservations, but service moves quickly. A local landmark since 1950, it has the best star-studded photo wall in Sedona. Elvis was a regular; the King favored #101. Open 6am-2pm. (West Sedona)
Secret Garden Café
Enchanting, year-round patio dining and a fresh, healthy menu. Lots of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. The secret to its success? Everything is made from scratch daily! Dog-friendly menu; casual. Breakfast 8am-11am; lunch/dinner till 8pm. (Inside Tlaquepaque, Hwy 179)
Sedona Crepes Bistro
You’ll find more than just crepes here! Sweet and savory crepes, huevos rancheros, BYO Omelet (Build Your Own) and a variety of additional breakfast options. Open 7:30am -3pm (West Sedona)
FOR LUNCH
Creekside Sedona
Fresh chef-driven cuisine and a view to die for. Huge windows and outdoor decks overlook Oak Creek and lush sycamore trees, with a sightline view of Snoopy Rock. Dog-friendly deck with tail-wagging menu. Daily Brunch 7:30-3pm. Reservations suggested. (South of “Y”, Hwy 179)
Pump House Station
Rustic-chic, A-frame urban eatery with elevated staples, nestled among sycamore trees on the bank of Oak Creek. Voted Best Lunch in Sedona! Artisan salads, soups, hot and cold sandwiches. Lunch 11am-2pm. Dine-in or take-out. (Tlaquepaque North-Hwy 179)
Hideaway House
Home-style Italian cuisine with gluten-free options. Two dining rooms and three open-air patios on two levels overlooking Oak Creek. Spectacular views from every seat! Great stop after a hike. Ranked 4th among Top 100 Dog-Friendly Places to Eat 2023 by Yelp. (South of “Y”, Hwy 179)
Mesa Grill
Southwest-style grill at the Sedona Airport on Table Top Mountain. Burgers, steaks and seafood entrees, along with vegan, gluten-free and dog-friendly items. Watch private jets land against the backdrop of red rock country. Airport Mesa is a Sedona vortex site and very popular at sunset. Lunch 11am-4pm (West Sedona)
FOR DINNER
Mariposa
The latest venture of Chef Lisa Dahl, this upscale, Latin-inspired grill sits on a bluff surrounded by red rock landscapes. Its architecture is a work of ART. The huge outdoor terrace surrounds 23-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling dining room windows. Nice to dress up, but not required. Rated among the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America 2023 by OpenTable. Best place in town for outdoor sunset dining! Daily 11am-2pm; 4pm-9pm. (West Sedona)
Eloté Cafe
Almost as famous as Sedona itself! World-class authentic Mexican cuisine culled from Chef/owner Jeff Smedstad’s 20+ years traveling throughout Mexico. People used to line up before opening and wait hours for a table. Now, reservations are required! Rated among the Top 10 Mexican Restaurants in America by GAYOT.com Dinner Tue-Sat, 5pm (Uptown Sedona)
Dahl & DiLuca
Fine Italian cuisine, elegant and romantic. Chef Lisa Dahl’s first culinary venture has become Sedona’s most-awarded fine dining restaurant for 25 years. (Also on OpenTable's T0P 100 Romantic List 2023.) Winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 15 consecutive years. THE PLACE for any special occasion. Reservations required. (West Sedona)
Gerardo’s Pizzaria
Family-run pizzeria and cucina. Wood-fired pizzas and Italian-inspired dishes. More relaxed than Dahl & DiLuca and some say better. Fresh pasta, bread and pizza dough are made daily. Dine-in or take-out. No reservations. Tues-Sat, 4:30-9pm (West Sedona)
Shorebird Coastal Kitchen
Sushi or seafood fanatic? Though Sedona is landlocked, Shorebird offers top-tier seafood (and steaks) paired with a dynamic beverage program. Modern coastal vibe, patio, red rock vistas. Sublime sushi and raw bar selections. Dinner daily 5pm. (South of “Y” on Hwy 179)
EITHER/OR
The Hudson
Seasonal American fare with unique twists on comfort food. Relaxed industrial chic atmosphere. Perched atop Hillside Shopping Center, its views have been featured locally and nationally. Outdoor patio with firepit. Reservations are required for patio. (South Sedona, Hwy 179)
The Vault Uptown
Oh, the views! This place is a visual extravaganza. Open-kitchen, indoor-outdoor bar and a 1,000-sq-ft patio let you watch the entire restaurant in motion. The bar backs up against the patio windows, giving all 22 seats a world-famous view. Chef-driven American fare and innovative cocktails. (Uptown Sedona)
Móle Sedona
Sophisticated take on authentic Mexican cuisine. It's an alternative to Elote with a great patio and (yes, again) views! Located at the Arabella Hotel, it features traditional recipes with a contemporary presentation. The Mole con Pollo is made with 23 ingredients! Lunch/Dinner 11am-9pm. (South Sedona, Hwy 179)
Stagecoach Roadhouse
Traditional smoked BBQ meats and Angus steaks with contemporary flavors. The view is minimal, but the food is great. We like it for late lunches. Rooftop bar, two levels of outdoor dining, live music and dance floor. If you’re into nightlife, it’s one of the few places in town that stays open past 9pm. (West Sedona)
SEDONA RETAIL THERAPY
Uptown Sedona
The heart of Sedona is lined with galleries and shops, the diversity of which is too long to list! Whether you are looking for jewelry, fine art, apparel, authentic Native American collectibles, souvenirs, crystals or just about anything else—you can likely find it here. (Uptown Sedona)
Tlaquepaque
(Tuh-lah-key-pock-ee) is a world-renowned, distinctive Sedona shopping experience designed after an authentic Mexican village. Enjoy cobble-stone courtyards, magnificent vine-covered archways and giant sycamore trees while exploring 50 specialty stores and exclusive art galleries. Open daily, 10am-6pm; some restaurants open till 9pm. (South of “Y”, Hwy 179)
Hillside Sedona
An eclectic mix of restaurants, fine art galleries and boutique shops perched on a hill with three levels of spectacular views. Experience the magic of Sedona’s red rocks in the background of colorful, kinetic wind sculptures and outdoor water features. Literally mind-blowing! (South Sedona, Hwy 179)
We also have to give a shout-out to The Collective and various shops in the Village of Oak Creek (Hwy 179) and the grocers, galleries, art co-ops, crystal shops and Farmer’s Market in West Sedona (Hwy 89A).
SEDONA OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
EXPLORE - PARKS
Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
The stupa is a beautiful form of Buddhist architecture and shrine used for prayer, meditation and contemplation. Tucked into one of West Sedona’s older neighborhoods, it’s a beloved, peaceful refuge with easy trails and a Native American medicine wheel. Please SILENCE cell phones. FREE, but donations are appreciated! Open daily till sunset. (2650 Pueblo Dr., West Sedona)
Slide Rock State Park
Located 7 miles north of town up Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park's beauty is epic...with century-old apple orchards, red rock cliffs and the rushing creek. Only a half-mile is open to swimming and the crowds can be packed. It's great for a picnic. (North of Uptown Sedona)
Red Rock State Park
This 286-acre riparian nature preserve is just 9 miles south of town off Hwy 89A. The Visitor Center has several exhibits, a park store and two films that show continuously. The family-oriented 5-mile trail system winds through Manzanita and Juniper to the banks of Oak Creek. Picnic areas and guided nature hikes. (Off Lower Red Rock Loop, West Sedona)
Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Recreation Area
The site of Sedona’s iconic and most photographed image—Cathedral Rock with the meandering waters of Oak Creek in the foreground. Sit by the banks, go for a swim, enjoy a picnic or take a hike. Amazing at sunrise and sunset! Entrance fee. (Off Upper Red Rock Loop Road, West Sedona)
EXPLORE – HIKE
Devil’s Bridge Trail
The trail EVERYONE wants to hike. The parking can be crazy and the lines to step out onto the middle of the bridge for that Instagram shot can get insane… it’s lovely, but the lines… (West Sedona)
Birthing Cave
This hidden gem is one of the easiest Sedona caves to get to and is considered a sacred place by local tribes. Its tear-drop view of the Sedona landscape is stunning! The 2-mile round-trip hike is easy with a moderate incline at the base of the cave. A nice alternative to Devil's Bridge. (West Sedona)
Seven Sacred Pools
Head out to Soldier’s Pass Trail for this short 1.1-mile out-and-back hike. The pools are potholes naturally carved out of sandstone and fed by a seasonal stream. Depending on when you visit, they can be dry or cascading with water. Parking is very limited; take the FREE Sedona Shuttle to the trailhead. (West Sedona)
UNWIND IN SEDONA
Sedona’s New Day Spa
Voted the Best Day Spa for the past 15 years. Everyone raves about the New Day Spa. Unique Southwest treatments, organic products, exceptional quality AND value! What more could a girl (or guy) want? (West Sedona)
Tao Foot Spa
After a day of hiking, reward thy feet! Professional foot massage and reflexology offer ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. The massages here are awesome too! It’s not a fancy atmosphere but the prices are reasonable. (West Sedona)
Sedona Hot Yoga
Voted Best Yoga Studio! Don’t let the name fool you…not all of the classes here are heated. Google “yoga studios in Sedona” and you’ll find A LOT of options. The majority are in West Sedona or the Village. Most welcome visitors; pre-booking is recommended. (West Sedona)
Quick tips…
- Drink lots of water – carry bottles with you and stay hydrated. Drink BEFORE you are thirsty!!
- Carry chapstick and sunscreen. Anytime that you need to reapply, take it as a cue to drink more water.
- Wear a hat and bring along cooling neck towels during warmer seasons. They’ll help keep your body temp down.
- Hike in the mornings and head out early! Trailhead parking can fill by 8am, and more popular trails are likely to be crowded by 9am.
- Use the FREE Sedona Shuttle to the Trailheads!!
- You’ll save yourself tons of angst and irritation, and your hands are free to take photos.
- Leave No Trace
- Please be kind and leave our backyard as you would want us to leave yours.
- Take the Sedona Cares Pledge!
- Make reservations for dinner, as many restaurants require them.
- Helpful Maps, including a parking map for Uptown Sedona.
Lastly, there’s no better way to experience Sedona than with a LOCAL ADVENTURE guide.
We’d love to welcome you on a Pink Jeep Tour and share more insider insights.