A summer vacation spent in the Sedona area will be a magical one you will never forget, especially when you choose to stay in our Sedona summer rentals. Offering all the comforts of home and a serene and magical ambience, our properties provide the perfect counterbalance to all the wonders our red rock town provides and coming home to these spaces will linger in the back of your mind as you enjoy unforgettable adventures. This guide to a summer vacation in the Sedona area will ensure that your getaway will be one vacation that you compare all others against for years to come.
Summer Adventures Outdoors
Summer days can get pretty hot in this part of the world with the mercury rising up into the 90s and on rare occasions in the triple digits, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside to have a good time during your visit. The adventures listed below are important to the success of your visit, providing a glimpse into the magic that is Sedona; you just may have to adjust the hours you engage in the activities, sticking to earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, depending on what the activity is. We’ve listed a few of our favorite summer outdoor activities below.
Slide Rock State Park, 6871 AZ-89A
Slide Rock State Park has gone through many incarnations over the centuries, including serving as home to the Sinagua people, serving as an apple orchard and home to the Pendley family, and finally becoming the park it is today. The one thing that hasn’t changed over all these hundreds of years, however, is the cool waters that have created the states longest natural waterslide have served as a swimming hole for everyone to enjoy. Today, there is a fee to be paid to enter the park, but the cool waters are still as refreshing as they have been and as you ride the “ride” we call Slide Rock, your cheers and excitement will match those who have gone before you for many centuries.
Pink Jeep Tours, 204 N AZ-89A
The iconic pink jeeps have been taking visitors on tours of the Sedona countryside for over 60 years and honestly, if you don’t take a jeep tour of any color, can you really say you have visited our red rock town? Explore the canyons, the vortexes, ancient ruins, and everything else that makes this area shine, while staying relatively cool in open air jeeps that will provide shade covers for your comfort.
Sedona Golf Resort, 35 Ridge Trail Drive
Although it can get toasty later in the day, if you don’t mind waking up early (what golfer doesn’t?) a summer morning in Sedona can best be enjoyed from behind the wheel of a golf cart at the Sedona Golf Resort. Sedona.Org offers retreats that are located on or across from the course, so guests can simply roll out of bed and into the golf cart with minimal effort and when you hit the greens of this course that was carved out of the red rock landscape, you may never want to leave. Designed by architect Gary Panks, this 18-hole, par-71 captures the magic of Sedona, so even if you did nothing but golf during your Arizona adventures, you would still feel as if you saw what the heart of our red rock town is all about.
Chapel of the Holy Cross, 780 Chapel Road
As you are driving around Sedona, if you look up at some point, you may see a large cross, seemingly built into the cliff and no, you aren’t imagining that, it IS a cross and it is attached to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, an active church that offers peace, serenity, and stunning views to all who pass through its doors. Beautiful when seen from afar, when you step inside you will lose your ability to form words, so spectacular are the views that take up the entire back wall of the chapel. And although it is an active church that holds regular services, everyone is invited to come inside and take shelter from the sun and heat; just be respectful and quiet as you enjoy the air conditioned coolness. Oh, and we placed this under the outdoors heading, simply because there is a nice walking path outside and one of Sedona’s more powerful vortexes, providing a sacred and tranquil energy.
A Taste of Sedona
Some of your favorite adventures may be the ones you enjoy at the dinner tables of some of Sedona’s most popular restaurants. Offering a taste of Sedona, more of those stunning views, and quite often, patios on which meals always taste so much better when accompanied by a fiery sunset. The restaurants listed below are sure to become a permanent part of your vacation memories, perhaps haunting you enough to schedule a return trip to the Valentine state!
Creekside American Bistro, 251 AZ-179
Open every day of the week from 7:30AM until 9 PM, Creekside American Bistro offers a serene dining adventure with a patio providing some of the best red rock views in the area. Here is where you can enjoy a taste of the Southwest as well as your all-American favorites, including their all-American breakfast and their Tomahawk Chop at dinner. Burgers, bento boxes, Italian food, this American Bistro is actually an international treat best enjoyed al fresco!
Open Range Grill and Tavern, 320 N AZ-89A
When traveling with children and pets it can sometimes be difficult to find restaurants where you feel comfortable relaxing with them, but in Sedona, you have many options, including the Open Range Grill and Tavern. Offering a spacious patio, a casual ambience, more of those views, and a special menu for both dogs and kids (don’t worry, they are two different menus!) their standard menu also offers a blend of elevated selections and casual delights. Steak, BBQ, and burritos are what’s for dinner here, but whatever you order for your main dish, be sure to save room for the best carrot cake you have ever tasted in your lifetime!
Broome and Orchard, 101 N AZ- 89A
This next Sedona eatery is our newest eatery, opening its doors in February of 2025 and offering a yummy all-American menu that has yet to let us down. Obviously, we are still working our way through its menu, offering a strong small plate section and a surf and turf main menu that will make your mouth water and your taste buds cheer at first bite. Their sugar spiced donuts served with a coffee whipped cream has become our newest obsession and we think it will be yours as well!
A Walk on the Metaphysical Side
If you are “sensitive” one of the first things you may notice when you drive into town is the difference in vibration between here and, oh, let’s say Phoenix. The metaphysical world is strong here and a visit to the vortexes may change the way you look at the world. Known for our vortexes, areas thought to be swirling centers of energy that aid in healing, meditation, and self-exploration, you can’t help but feel different after visiting any of the seven in the area. We’ve already briefly discussed the Chapel of the Holy Cross vortex, but there are four others that are known to be even more powerful, and we will talk a little more about those below.
Airport Mesa Vortex
The Airport Mesa vortex is the closest to town and offers a 3.3-mile hike that loops around. Known to be an upflow area that is good for your spirit and energy, this is one where you may meditate to reconnect with your inner self.
Cathedral Rock Vortex
The red rock formations will make you fall in love with the area and the Cathedral Rock Vortex adds another reason to explore them, even if you have to wake up early to do so while it is still cool. Known for its feminine energy, it is believed that this vortex will lead to a letting go of your troubles, fears, and worries.
Bell Rock Vortex
On the opposite end of the spiritual spectrum lies the Bell Rock Vortex, providing a masculine energy that is believed to help with your self-confidence, while also energizing all who are within its realm.
Boynton Canyon Vortex
And as we come to the final vortex on today’s list, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Boynton Canyon Vortex is known for its balance of masculine and feminine energy. Believed to ground those in its power, it also is supposed to promote self-care and compassion.
The Surrounding Areas
You can’t, or shouldn’t, come all this way without exploring the towns in the surrounding areas, each offering a little something that will enhance your Sedona vacation experience. Nearly every town we mention will also be a stop on the Verde Valley Wine Trail which includes Sedona’s own Winery 1912 on its map. (320 AZ-89A #3)
Camp Verde
Located 30 miles outside of Sedona, there are three wineries in Camp Verde, with Alcantara being the most visible. Our favorite reason for visiting Camp Verde, however, is to stop by and see Montezuma Castle National Monument, cliff dwelling ruins that were one the home of the Sinagua people. Offering a quiet and tree lined path that will bring you to the base of the dwellings, we just love the unique qualities and the serenity of this wonderful monument.
Clarkdale
Located 27 miles away from your Sedona.Org vacation sanctuary, Clarkdale offers three wineries on the trail, Chateau Tumbleweed, Bodega Pierce, and Southwest Wine Center. Your most exciting Clarkdale adventure, however, may take place on the Verde Canyon Railroad, a renovated train that takes guests on sightseeing tours of the valley, while offering special events throughout the year. Their Grape Train Escapes, occur on Saturday nights from June through mid-September, offering romance, wine tasting, and a free charcuterie, making us ask, what more could you ask for on a Saturday night in the summer?
Jerome
Located just 25 miles outside of Sedona, the former mining town, current artist’s colony town of Jerome is known for its spiritual side as well, but in the form of those who are no longer with us. Offering five wineries on the trail, with the Original Jerome Winery being our favorite, it is also the site of a museum that tells the story of Jerome, the Haunted Hamburger (one of the tastiest burger joints in town, as well as being the most haunted) and a whimsical store called Nelly Bly Kaleidoscopes.
Cottonwood
Located 19 miles outside of Sedona, Cottonwood is a charming town known for its history, beauty, and for being home to eight different wineries on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Until very recently, there were nine, but the Pillsbury Wine Company closed down after 19 years in business. Arizona Stronghold is one of our favorite wineries in Cottonwood, but if you can visit them all, we highly recommend you do!
Cornville
17 miles outside of Sedona you will find the town of Cornville, offering five more wineries on the trail and for those traveling with children, Harmony Acres Ranch & Petting Farm (and animal sanctuary) is a very popular vacation destination. Located at 13437 Elizabeth Lane, this wonderful place will be a favorite of the entire family, and after your farm adventures are over, Javelina Leap and Page Springs Cellars are two wonderful wineries to sip and savor.
Savor Summer in Our Seasonal Sanctuaries
All roads lead back to your idyllic summer sanctuary, located exactly where you need to be, including some in the surrounding towns. Many will offer swimming pools and all will offer barbecues, ensuring that your summer adventures will be the ones that make you feel really proud to be an American. All of our Sedona summer rentals will offer air-conditioning, so even on the hottest days of the season, you can stay calm, cool, and collected as you relax in luxury. Reserve your favorite escape today!
