lorijv

I and my 2 daughters are thinking about a possible road trip for this August. Duration would be about 2 weeks, beginning around the 11th or 12th.

We would fly into Phoenix, pick up a rental car, then head up to Sedona for several nights. We're not sure if we should base in Sedona and do all our sightseeing excursions out of there. Things we're interested in include:

Grand Canyon
Sunset Crater/Painted desert loop
Montezuma's Castle
Hiking
Horseback riding
Possible jeep tour in Sedona
Seeing Jerome/Prescott and any other interesting towns

Initially I thought we'd spend 3-4 nights in Sedona, stay at the Grand Canyon 1 night, then finish off with 2 nights in either Prescott or Jerome.

We would then head across to Anaheim for 3 nights, followed by 3 nights in San diego or Laguna beach.

Any insights or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all!

explanation

August?

I would not plan on an Arizona visit in August. It's so hot in the Phoenix area and humid, too when the chubascos get started. I know it's supposed to be cooler in the mountains, but it's still hot.

Shanti

The weather should be ok at the Grand Canyon (at the top, the bottom will be very hot) but it will be crowded. It would be too hot for me to go to either Sunset Crater or Sedona in August. The drive through southeastern California will be very hot.

The weather would be nice in Flagstaff in August.

spirobulldog

The weather in August is likely to be hot at the top too. I think your gonna be hot hot hot everywhere you mention. Pick another location-Pacific Northwest or something. Just my opinion.

HappyTrvlr

As long as you leave PHX for Sedona, you'll be OK.

MikePinTucson

Not a bad plan. It will be 10-15 degrees cooler in Sedona than in Phoenix and another 10 +/- at the GC.

In Sedona, definitely do the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour. Visit the Chapel of the Holt Cross, Red Rock Crossing, Bell Rock/ Courthouse Butte, Cathedral Rock, spend time in Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park. Also, Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well. If time, the Verde Canyon Railroad and Tuzigoot. You can see all of Jerome in 1/2 day.

At the GC, try to get lodging at one of the rim lodges -- El Tovar, Kachina, Thunderbird, or Bright Angel. at the rim, the daytime temperatures should be in the 80's and it will cool way off after sunset.

You might want to spend a night in Flagstaff. From there you can visit Walnut Canyon ad do the Petrified Forest / Painted Desert loop drive. Maybe even visit Standing on the Corner Park in Winslow.

I would suggest entering the GC through the east gate. Along the way, do the Sunset Crater / Wupatki National Monument loop. Then stop at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch -- the Navajo Taco or the mini Navajo Taco.

sheri_lp

In August it would be nice to stay in one of the places in Oak Creek Canyon - cooler in the shade and the kids will love Slide Rock State Park.

They should wear cut-off jeans, because sliding on the rock might wear out bathing suit material. The river is shallow enough but has pools to splash around in too.

JerseyGirlinAZ

Sounds like a plan to me! Yes, AZ is hot in August, but many of my family members visit then because the airfare is cheaper. They can tolerate it.

Definitely recommend the Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona. There are lots of great hiking places as well. How old are your daughters?

Flagstaff is also a neat town. Plus you can check out the historic Route 66.

San Diego is a bit further from Anaheim than Laguna. Personally, I like Newport Beach. If you want to do Anaheim, I would recommend Laguna or something closer than San Diego, so you can cut out some driving time. Plus, there is so much to do in San Diego alone that it's worth another trip by itself.

mlgb

There's a reason so many tourists in California in August are from Arizona!

I would just fly in to San Diego and save Arizona for another trip, if at all.

MikePinTucson

Heh.

suzabella1

Rent your car and go north from Phoenix fast. It's really hot there in August. You can make a day trip from Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. Pack a lunch and picnic along the way. Flagstaff is a good place to stay to experience above mentioned places, plus there is an observatory. The Grand Canyon is a must and is indescribably beautiful. But it will be packed with tourists. At this point you probably won't be able to get a room near the rim, so try Williams.
I found Sedona to be a bit touristy and expensive 10 years ago. It depends on what you are looking for. But it's beautiful red cliffs are well worth the time spent.

Are you going to Anaheim to visit Disneyland? That's fun. Also a bit crowded and could be warm in August. If you're looking for a beach experience Newport Beach or Laguna are good. But San Diego has warmer water and nice beaches too. Plus there's Sea World, the Wild Animal Park and Lego Land if the kids are so inclined. If you are doing Disneyland and San Diego that's one trip in it's self.

A future trip would be to spend several days in San Diego and then fly to Las Vegas. Rent a car and head north with a stop at Zion for hiking for a day or 2. Then go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Stay at the lodge inside the park and you will have an experience that brings you closer to nature. I really doubt you can get a room at the lodge at this late date, but put in a reservation early for the next time you might want to take this trip.

MikePinTucson

If you can't get lodging inside GCNP, try one of the hotels in Tusayan, right outside the south entrance. Another option would be the Cameron Trading Post, which is about 25 miles outside the east gate. Both places are much closer than Williams.

Visiting Sedona is really not about visiting the town, it is about getting away from the town and enjoying th3 beautiful red rocks.