We’ve all seen photographs of Sedona—the red rocks, Bell Rock and those views that hardly look real. But photographs don’t come close. Sedona is breathtaking.
We made the trip with our friends Todd and Deb to celebrate Todd’s birthday. Deb planned the getaway, found our condo at Junipine Resort and made the entire birthday weekend spectacular.
Our only real responsibility was to arrive—and we managed to complicate that.
On the way to Sedona, our GPS decided the direct route lacked imagination and sent us wandering through the canyon. Deb knew better but graciously allowed us to follow the technology and learn for ourselves.
As detours go, it was a beauty. We ended up driving through the most breathtaking canyon I have ever seen. For once, getting lost worked out rather well.
This trip was not sponsored. We paid for our stay, meals and activities, and all opinions are our own.
Where We Stayed: Junipine Resort
Deb found a privately owned condo at Junipine Resort, just outside Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon. Our condo was fabulous—quiet, peaceful and overlooking the creek.
Staying outside town turned out to be a great decision. We could spend the day golfing and then return to the trees, the sound of the creek and a welcome break from the busier parts of town.
It was the kind of place that made staying in sound like a perfectly respectable vacation activity.
Would we stay there again? Absolutely. We might even take the direct route next time.
Photo courtesy of Junipine Resort.
Where We Ate in Sedona
The Table at Junipine
One advantage of staying at Junipine Resort was having an excellent restaurant, The Table at Junipine right on the property. After a day of exploring, we didn’t have to drive back into town—or rely on our GPS that clearly had been affected by the altitude.
Johnny B and I shared the evening’s special, baked pork chop in what I think was a plum/balsamic reduction sauce. Whatever magical sauce it was, it was delicious.
Sharing seemed like a sensible idea right up until the first bite.
The Hideaway House
The following evening, we had dinner at The Hideaway House. The restaurant has wonderful views of the canyon, great food and a cocktail menu that deserved our attention.
I usually order a classic Moscow Mule. But then I saw the Berry Basil Limoncello Martini. They had me at limoncello.
Between dinner and the scenery, The Hideaway House earned a firm place on our “go back next time” list.
Photo courtesy of The Hideaway House. Used with permission.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is stunning, but our visit felt like more than a stop to admire the architecture.
Inside, the crucifix rises in front of windows overlooking Sedona’s red rocks. The building, the landscape and the light all seem to become part of the same view.
It was moving in a way that is difficult to explain—almost as if the view was quietly saying, “Look what I created for you.”
Whatever your faith or beliefs, this is a place that invites you to be still for a moment, look beyond the walls and take it all in.
Golf Among the Red Rocks
As tee times are hard to come by this time of year, our friend Morgan, the managing partner at Springfield Golf Resort, graciously helped us secure a time at Oakcreek Country Club—and what a course it was.
The course was pristine and the playing conditions were nearly perfect. Red-rock formations rose beyond the fairways, making it difficult to decide whether to watch the ball or the scenery.
Johnny B, Todd and Deb all played great. I did not.
In my defense, I may have been distracted by the views—and by Johnny B performing his birdie dance. Apparently, a sip of Birdie Juice was the key to his game. I should have packed a larger flask.
Even on a day when my scorecard was best left unexamined, Oakcreek was an extraordinary place to play. The course was challenging, beautifully maintained and worth visiting for the setting alone.
What We’ll Do Next Time
This was a golf weekend, so we didn’t try to fit every Sedona attraction into one trip. We played golf, ate very well, visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross and spent plenty of time admiring the views.
Next time, we’ll leave room for the shops and galleries at Tlaquepaque, a little more time exploring Uptown Sedona and another restaurant or two—in the interest of continued vacation research, of course.
We may even take a hike.
A short one. Let’s not get carried away.
Is Sedona Worth the Trip?
Absolutely.
Sedona is one of those places you think you know because you’ve seen the photographs. Then you turn a corner, look up at the red rocks and realize the pictures barely scratched the surface.
Our weekend had everything we wanted: time with good friends, a fabulous place to stay, excellent meals, golf in nearly perfect conditions and one GPS detour that turned out better than the original plan.
Deb gave Todd a spectacular birthday weekend. Johnny B brought his birdie dance. I brought home a scorecard we don’t need to discuss.
And all four of us left knowing we would return.
Join the Flock
If you like really good food, easy entertaining and the occasional excuse to plan another Arizona getaway, come join us.
More Ways to Escape the Heat
Sedona isn’t the only place willing to rescue us from an Arizona summer. Here are three more grown-up getaways—no tent required.
