Best Hidden Gems in Sedona: From Our Mini Moon
Sedona, Arizona is truly one of the most beautiful places in the West. Growing up in AZ, I watched this red rock landscape turn from a small undiscovered town to the tourist buzzing place it is today. Now don’t let the popularity of it scare you off, some places are popular for a very good reason. In fact, it’s hard to describe Sedona to those who have never been, as it’s one of those places that exudes a magnetic energy. My husband had yet to see Sedona’s rich beauty; so given that our elopement was in Tucson I thought it’d be a perfect time to travel North and spend a few days in this magical place.
If you’re looking for a rejuvenating trip, or perhaps your own romantic getaway, take a read as I share some of the hidden gems we discovered!
Stay: Sedona Bed & Breakfast
Every great trip starts and ends with the place you stay—your home away from home. Sedona Views Bed & Breakfast is located just past the hustle and bustle of Uptown Sedona, it sits atop a hill that offers a breathtaking view of the red rock mountains that encapsulate the city. Upon arriving, you’re drawn in by a sense of ease and tranquility as the whispering sounds of the water fountains greet you. One of the aspects that made me fall in love with this bed & breakfast was it had a lovely way of encouraging mindfulness. Each morning we would wake with the sunrise from the rooms natural light and walk down to the private access of Oak Creek. There we were happily greeted by Bruno, the friendly pitt, and enjoyed the rustling sounds of the everflowing creek . Breakfast was homemade each morning by the innkeeper Ann. At 8:30am Ann would set the tables delicately with pitchers of freshly squeezed orange juice, hot coffee, and refreshing water with mint from the garden. Guests were encouraged to sit with one another and it was truly the best way to exchange stories and adventures before heading out for the day. This was such a remarkable stay that we decided to make this a yearly anniversary trip for ourselves- cannot wait to return and I hope you get to visit one day as well!
Hikes: Birthing Cave & Cibola Pass
I firmly believe there’s no “bad” hike in Sedona. You really can’t go wrong. So what I’ll say, is spend less time fretting about where and just get out there! We hiked two main trails during our time in Sedona: The Birthing Cave and Cibola Pass. Since we were there in April we enjoyed milder weather and went on mid morning hikes.
Pro Tip: I would recommend planning out parking- For Cibola Pass we used the America the Beautiful permit ( you can also purchase the Red Rock Pass) and for the Birthing Cave we were able to park freely on the side of the road. Many people may recommend the top hikes like Bell Rock and Devils Bridge, but be open to a lesser known trails. Cibola pass was one that I found off a map from our innkeeper- I had never heard of it and the views were extraordinary. Either way, bring plenty of water, stay on the trail, and have a great time!
Lunch: Tamaliza
I find great joy in discovering the type of places where there’s heart and soul. Where you can see some ones dream living out and support it. I also find great joy in tasting food where you feel that heart soul was put into creating it. For me that was Tamaliza. This is the type of modest spot that you can come in and drink a refreshing glass of horchata while admiring the Latin American decorations that lace the walls. I ordered the chicken enchiladas and it reminded me of meals made by my own grandmother. This is one comforting and wholesome gem in West Sedona that you don’t want to overlook.
Dine: Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen
Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen- where do I begin? This is the type of place I LIVE for when traveling. A local eatery that is inviting and has delicious food and wine. We had the good pleasure of getting to meet Gerardo himself and enjoy his authentic Italian dishes. My favorite was the Bolognese which just melted into my mouth after a sip of the beautiful Sicilian wine. Family owned and operated, this is a real gem in Sedona. Heck, we loved it so much we came back a second night! I’ll leave it at this, you’ll want to save room for chefs Sfogliatelle, the crispy layered confectionary desert- it’s how you say—buonissimo!
Relax: Uptown Massage
Last but not least, what would a honeymoon be without a little bit of R&R? Goodness, I am still in awe from our Serenity Bliss treatment at Uptown Massage. I knew this was a special place when I booked our appointments and the owner herself gave me a call and took the time to learn about us and our treatment preferences. If I lived locally, I would be a regular here. The techniques my therapist used made me feel like I lost 10 pounds in my shoulders and jaw alone; the tension and knots just melted off. This was truly the perfect way to end our honeymoon and time in Sedona.
The best way to travel is with an open heart and the hidden gems will find you. I hope you enjoyed this read and get to visit one or all of these special places when you travel to the land of red rocks.
And don’t forget,