To be serious about Sedona, the red rock
landscape here fills one with wonder, and Sedona has
taken advantage of this superb natural setting to become
a resort community of some stature. It's a new town --
incorporated in 1988 -- with a full range of amenities,
including distinctive resorts such as Enchantment,
Poco Diablo, and the Southwest Inn, plus
many motels, more than a dozen bed and breakfasts, and
shop-till-you-drop boutique plazas in different parts of
town. The golfing is challenging and scenic, horseback
riding through Red Rock Country is exciting, and there
are restaurants of every kind, including two superb
Mexican establishments. Above all, the scenery is
staggering -- particularly on the Red Rock Loop Road,
just south of town.
After World War II, the area became a retirement
haven, and artists led by Max Ernst came to the valley to
paint the surrealistic scenery. The Sedona Arts
Center was founded in 1968. In 1984 the population
was 7,500; it was not until 1988 that the city was
incorporated.
Thus, one of the newest cities in the U.S. has become
one of the most popular vacation centers for Arizonans,
as well as attracting thousands of annual visitors from
afar. Tourism caused a jump in population, and now about
15,000 people live in this city, which is like almost any
other small western town, except for its magnificent
geological scenery. The older towns of the area are to
the south: Clarkdale, Jerome and
Prescott. Jerome is a near ghost town while Sedona
flourishes in the light of the New Age.
The Chamber of Commerce Information Center is
located on the corner of Highway 89A and Forest Road, at
the north end of town. This is the area known as Uptown
Sedona -- filled with both chic and rustic boutiques,
restaurants, and creek-side motels.
How to Get There
Located south of Flagstaff, the Oak Creek
Canyon is a fine introduction to the area, with
forest camping, historic sites, and joyful children
sliding down the natural chute at Slide Rock State Park.
Highway 89A leads into the canyon, through the Coconino
National Forest. This short drive (27 miles) offers a
full day of interesting things to see and do. The whole
drive is a changing spectacle of steep canyon sides and
wooded valley.
NOTE: Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona is closed
because of a major forest fire, see above.
From Phoenix, the shortest way to travel to Sedona is
via Interstate 17 and then north into the Verde Valley on
Arizona Route 179. If you have a day to spare, the more
scenic route from Phoenix is via U.S. Highway 60 through
Wickenburg and Prescott, entering the valley by taking
Highway 89A across Mingus Mountain.
What to See &
Do
Red Rock Splendor
Psychic energy vortexes aside, this is what we come to
Sedona to see: the magnificent ridges, cliffs, peaks, and
pinnacles formed of dark red rock. There are several
conglomerations of rocks to admire. Stretching behind the
town is the longest display, with the Cockscomb at the
left (to the south), Chimney Rock slightly to the right
and in front, Capitol Butte (with a rounded top looking
as if it should be the Capitol dome in Washington), Sugar
Loaf in the center, Coffee Pot Rock sticking out from
Sugar Loaf, and then to the right the Mt. Wilson area,
with Steamboat Rock at the extreme right side.
A tour of Schnebly Hill Road (off Hwy. 179 at
the north end of town) leads past Elephant Rock and
Snoopy Rock. Snoopy looks, from certain angles, like the
cartoon dog, lying on his back with feet and nose in the
air. Farther down Hwy. 179 is Submarine Rock. The Chapel
of the Holy Cross (see below) is atop another rock beside
the Two Nuns. Take Chapel Road to see this formation and
the church. Farther south are Bell Rock and Courthouse
Butte.
Cathedral Rock, considered by most the finest
formation of them all, is best viewed from the Red
Rock Loop Road.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross sits on the rocks
-- a startlingly modern chapel that contrasts with its
natural environment.
