Sedona, Arizona — A Trip I Didn’t Know I Needed
When my friend Aubrey asked me to go with her, I said yes without a second thought — I had never been to Arizona, and I love spending time with Aubrey. I’m so glad I said yes. This experience was incredible, and I’m thankful I got to share it with Aubrey and her sister.
Arrival + Getting Around
Getting around the airport was easy — just follow the signs. I loved the convenience of the Sky Train, which took us straight to the rental car area. Aubrey used to own a home in the area, so once we were on the road, getting around was a breeze. She knew all the good local spots and the best tourist must-sees, which made the whole trip feel effortless.
Rental Car Reality Check
This was, unfortunately, the worst part of our trip — and I feel it’s important to share honestly.
When Aubrey travels to this area, she normally uses Fox or Budget. This time, she booked Easirent because it was the cheapest option. In hindsight, this was one of those moments where saving a little upfront cost more in time and frustration.
We didn’t realize ahead of time that Easirent is not located at the airport rental car terminal. It took over an hour for a shuttle to arrive, and once it did, we learned their location was about a 15-minute drive away. One shuttle brought in about six different groups at once, and there was only one person working the desk.
By the time we finally got our car, it wasn’t fully clean — we found items left behind from previous renters. At that point, we were exhausted and ready to move on, so we didn’t say anything and just started our trip.
My takeaway:
Sometimes the cheapest option isn’t the best option — especially when time and convenience matter. If I were to do this trip again, I would absolutely pay a bit more to rent directly from an on-site airport rental company.
Where We Stayed: Sedona Pines Resort
We stayed at Sedona Pines Resort, and I loved it. I would absolutely stay here again.
The resort offers one- and two-bedroom casitas, each with a full kitchen stocked with all the basics for cooking and eating. There were three adults in our one-bedroom casita, and we never once felt cramped or on top of each other.
Why I Loved It:
Daily activities and live local musicians
Mini golf, ping pong, and cornhole you can enjoy anytime
A game room filled with puzzles and board games
Hundreds of DVDs you can borrow for free
A heated outdoor pool with plenty of seating
A huge adults-only hot tub (yes, please)
There’s also an Italian restaurant on site, Bella Vita Ristorante. The prices were high for what it was, but the bartender was fantastic. We enjoyed drinks and great conversation — sometimes that makes the experience.
Where We Ate (And Loved)
Mesa Grill
The views here are unreal. The food and drinks were amazing, and the staff was incredibly kind and helpful. This was one of those meals where everything just worked.
Coffee Pot Restaurant
We ate here three times for breakfast — that should tell you something. There’s a cute little shop attached, and if you look behind the restaurant, you’ll spot the rock formation shaped like a coffee pot (hence the name). Go early — the wait can get long.
La Vecina
Margaritas, chips, salsa, and the most incredible views. The staff never rushed us, and we happily enjoyed two rounds of drinks while resting our feet after a long day of walking.
Picazzos
Great food with a hip, relaxed vibe. They cater to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets, have heated patio seating, and even provide blankets if you need them. The staff was wonderful.
Highly Recommended (But We Didn’t Get To):
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill – Modern Latin cuisine with incredible views
Javelina Cantina – Reservations highly recommended
Miley's Cafe – Popular for breakfast and lunch
Places We Visited
Jerome
Such a cool town with fascinating history. The drive up alone is worth it. If you love quirky towns or ghost stories, this is a must. We had drinks at the former asylum (now a hotel and restaurant), soaking in views I could have stared at all day.
We ate lunch at Vaqueros Grill & Cantina — great atmosphere, solid food, and drinks that hit just right.
Slide Rock State Park
We couldn’t visit due to the season, but I highly recommend it. In season, it’s perfect for picnics, swimming, and natural rock waterslides carved over millions of years.
Hiking Highlights
Cathedral Rock
We entered through Crescent Moon Park and followed the walking paths. During certain times of year, water flows through the area and is popular for fly fishing. When we visited, the riverbed was dry, making it easy to sit and explore.
We even came across a group participating in a spiritual ceremony at one of the vortexes. Out of respect, we walked a little farther and just sat quietly — it was peaceful and grounding.
Other Favorite Hikes:
Boynton Canyon — about a four-hour round trip at a moderate pace. You’ll pass vortexes and hike behind the Enchantment Resort grounds. At the end, you’re sitting inside the canyon, listening to the wind. It feels almost unreal.
Shopping + Jeep Tours
Sedona has so much shopping. Tons of small shops with handmade, one-of-a-kind items — perfect for gifts or souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else.
We skipped the famous Pink Jeep Tours and chose Red Rock Western Jeep Tours instead. It was just Aubrey and me, which I loved. We did the Soldier’s Pass tour, and while I briefly thought we might go over the edge a few times, our guide knew exactly what he was doing.
Tip: Go in the morning and wear long sleeves and pants — the dust gets everywhere.
A Must-See Stop
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Even if you’re not religious, this is a must-visit. If you stand at the footprints and look up, you can see Jesus looking down at you. It gets very busy, and the walk up is not easy — but they do have golf carts available for those who need assistance.
One Last Night Done Right
Dive bars really are the best. We spent our last night at a local cash-only bar, eating classic bar food, playing shuffleboard, dancing to the jukebox, and hanging out with some incredibly welcoming locals. We stayed for hours — the perfect way to end the trip.
Why This Trip Meant So Much
Living in Pennsylvania my entire life, I’ve always known green landscapes in spring and brown ones when it’s too hot or too cold. Sedona was nothing like that. The red rocks, their shapes, the vastness — I was completely in awe.
I’m so grateful for my friendship with Aubrey and thankful she asked me to come along. I already can’t wait for our next adventure.
Also — did you know the McDonald’s arches in Sedona are blue? 🤯
Bonus Trip: The Grand Canyon
After Aubrey’s sister left, we took a road trip to Grand Canyon. About two hours each way — Aubrey was in her element driving.
I had never been before, and honestly, this is a place everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. We parked farther down than usual, walked along the rim, and just took it all in. One of the gift shops has an overlook many people miss — don’t skip it.
We ended with drinks and a light snack inside the Grand Canyon Lodge, soaking in views that don’t even feel real.
Sitting there, I realized how grateful I was for saying yes — yes to a place I had never been, yes to slowing down, and yes to sharing it all with people I love. Some trips you enjoy. Others stay with you. This one will always be the latter.
