Do not rely on public transportation to get to Sedona. You can rent a car for cheap (or hitchhike, if you want to stay true to the title of this post), but Sedona is a city that’s spread across 18 square miles with nearly nonexistent public transportation options. You will miss out on so much of the beauty of the area if you relegate yourself to just uptown Sedona. There are shuttles from Phoenix to Sedona, but if you want to just avoid that headache, I would highly suggest renting a car either when you get to the airport or when you get to Sedona.
Since parking is extremely limited at most of the popular trailheads (Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock, I’m lookin’ at you), I would advise getting there as early as possible – especially on weekends. Now, I know. The last thing in the world you want to do is wake up early on a vacation, or on one of the two precious days you have off. But just trust me on this one, okay? I would definitely advise against following my weekend morning routine, in which I snooze my alarm about twenty times until the kids in the apartment below mine begin their weekly Saturday piano lesson at 9 A.M. – but hey, at least they saved me from having to buy one of those alarm clocks that rolls away from you because that was about to be at the top of my Christmas list.
Avoid shopping, staying in, and breathing in uptown Sedona if you’re on a budget. It’s kind of similar to Woodstock, with a very bohemian type of vibe – minus the music festival merchandise and “Led Zeppagain” cover bands. Once you make your way out of the congestion of Main Street and past the “I Heart Sedona” T-shirt stores, you will find an array of crystal and healing shops. There are plenty of good restaurants and places to stay that are a 20-minute drive out from Sedona. But hey, if you are unlike me and have your life together financially, go for it and splurge here.
Speaking of accomodations, try not to book Airbnb or your hotel based on the views that they advertise on their website. I promise, there are amazing views everywhere, even from the “I Heart Sedona” T-shirt stores on Main Street. Your camera roll will include hundreds of beautiful, picturesque photo-ops that aren’t taken from your guest room balcony.
Don’t wear a cute outfit if you do seriously plan on going hiking. I don’t mean Fabletics leggings and your new Adidas kicks, I’m shouting out the girls who decided to hike the 4.2-mile Devil’s Bridge trail in jeans and sandals (we heard their complaints for half the hike until they turned back). Not only will you ruin your outfit within five minutes, rendering it useless for cute pictures, but you will be undeniably uncomfortable for the entirety of the hike. I know Sedona is very Instagrammable, but don’t make that your priority over comfort.
Bring enough water, even in the winter months. I know, northern Arizona doesn’t get as hot. I know, winter in Arizona can hit the 30’s. But that doesn’t mean that if you go hiking at 1 PM that the temperature can’t still hit the 70’s – it most likely will. Don’t take half a bottle of Poland Springs with you on a five-mile hike just because you think it won’t get warm out.
Don’t try to take a regular rental car onto back country roads and Jeep tour trails. If you drove through Sedona through the uptown area, you will likely have seen all the Pink Jeep Tour companies. (I personally would rather avoid those in favor of just hiking around, but I do know it’s a pretty fun off-road experience). Trust that these companies know what they’re doing and that no one without a Jeep Wrangler or similar vehicle should attempt off-roading in Red Rock country. I know you all signed those rental agreements for your Nissan Versa to get here (if you took my advice and got the rental car), so just picture that little Versa trying to make it over a sand dune. The likely result is that you’ll damage your rental and you know what that means: paying the rental company a pricey sum. If you do want to take a car off-roading and you know that in advance, just rent a Jeep straight from the airport. It’ll definitely be cheaper than the damages you would have to pay for totaling their Versa later on.
I know this is common sense, but whichever type of vehicle you decide to rent, make sure to check it over carefully before renting. Make sure that it will be able to handle the trek, and listen to the rental company’s advice on how to drive on steeply graded, loose gravel trails.
Take your time to savor the drive into Sedona, as passing through Red Rock Country is something I will absolutely never get sick of. I know driving through most of Arizona automatically lands you in some extremely beautiful scenery, but watching the famous red and purple colors of the massive rocks in front of you vibrantly come to life is an incomparable experience.
You can make a trip to Sedona a complete relaxation and wellness trip, or you can camp out, stargaze, and hike the numerous trails in Red Rock Country. The great thing about Sedona is that it really has it all – for whatever type of getaway you may be looking for.
