Sedona - in June or Aug?
 

Hi Fodorites - Here's the thing: I can only go to AZ in either June or Aug. I would like to break up the 8 days with 3 in Sedona and the rest in Scottsdale. I'm travelling with a 4 yr old and like Westin or Hyatt for the Scottsdale hotel portion of the trip. However, nothing looks right with a 4 yr old in Sedona? Any ideas?????

While neither June or August is a good time to visit Arizona, based on those two options, I would recommend June. August tends to be sweltering hot.

Yes, weather.com shows average highs in June of 93 in Sedona, and 94 in August. Scottsdale in June shows an average high of 102,and August average high of 103. So I'd go for more time in Sedona in June if that is the only option you have.

I was in Sedona during the first part of this past June and the weather was excellent.

Not too warm for me.

June is very dry with single digit humidity levels. Early June the temps often aren't bad but late June is often the hottest time of the summer (the record 122 F heat wave in 1990 hit late June, for example).

In August there is much more humidity with chances of afternoon thunderstorms from the summer 'monsoons', so the weather is more dramatic. Sometimes we get these massive dust storms which seem to swallow the city. The same temperature would be more bearable in June than in August due to the lack of humidity in June.

Sedona is about 3,400 ft higher elevation than Phoenix, so usually 12-15 degrees cooler.

So I think most people would aim for early June and spend more time in Sedona than Phoenix.

Bill

We were in Sedona early June, I suppose it's now last year, and the heat wasn't too bad, imo. Mornings and evenings were actually pleasant. The afternoons were a bit much for strenuous outdoor activity--the sun was hot! A pool would come in handy. We enjoyed a great trip, got our hikes in early morning and took it easy from there.

Tahnk you all for the replies. As I am already familiar with the area weather, I was hoping more for hotels auggestions with a 4 yr old. Specifically, Sedona? Thanks again!

Sorry about that! I misunderstood and thought you were asking which would be best at the times you could go.

If you go to http://www.itsasedonathing.com they have a section on things to do with kids. It's a pretty good article. I love that sight. They have everything.

As far as hotels in Scottsdale, OMG stay at the Westin. They have a lazy river pool that your little one will LOVE! Grab an inner tube and jump on and you will take a 15 minute ride down the lazy river. The best pool ever. Also the Marriott has a great pool and an AWESOME hot tub that is gratto style with a huge water falls. But the Lazy river takes me vote.
We went and stayed 1 week at each resort and then another week in Sedona. It was a great vacation!

Enjoy!

travelbuff127 - Not sure the type of property you're looking for in Sedona. There is a newer Hilton that is in Oak Creek. Also Best Western in Sedona that's nice. If you want the higher end, The Enchantment Resort always has families - it's not just an adult resort unlike some of the bed and breafast inns.

Hello TB,
A word to the wise. If you plan on visiting Sedona in August be sure to find a room with air conditioning and not evap cooler.
Have stayed in Sedona in month of August w/o any a/c and it can be grueling/most uncomfortable.
Have spent past 3 yrs in Sedona at Christmas. I can recommend the cottages at BriarPatch Inn, which is located 3 mi north of the town in Oak Creek Canyon. Most of the cottages have a full kitchen and/or kitchenette. There are two cute ol' wooley resident goats on the property that graze the grass. Also, a beautiful, bountiful breakfast is served included in the price. There are also many nice hotels located along Hwy 89A driving out towards west Sedona.
Good luck on your find. Enjoy beautiful Sedona!
Francie

Sedona...June in Sedona is a good month, since I have lived in both Scottsdale and Sedona I can say the mornings and evenings are cooler than Scottsdale to sit out in.
Evenings in Sedona give you starry nights no city lights plenty to see and do with a 4 year old..Slide rock for a swim, jeep tours, Out of Africa wild life park is close by.
The air is cleaner than Scootsdale and more relaxing.
Try the Hilton in the Viilage of Oak Creek for value, or rent a time share there at Sunterra giving you space to spread out and having a kitchen is nice when traveling with young children plus the pool. the views are some of the best. Some of the B&B's take children too.

Early June, yes. Late June- I did a week in Sedona the last few days of June and 1st few days of July and it was brutally hot. I won't do it again. Sometimes you get lucky and it isn't so hot, but late June can be very hot. We were only able to hike a few hikes in the rocks and we had to get out early a.m. and get out of the sun by 11 am til 4:30 - 5 pm. I would not trust weather.com averages on this one- it can be frigging hot as hell in Sedona at end of June.

August, never for me. Too hot. And I love Sedona and go about twice a year, but not August.

Definitely look at the Hilton btwn the Village of Oak CreeK and Sedona (easy access to Sedona, and the Village of Oak Creek has nice, quiet, easy going restaurants). It has an indoor pool so you can use it mid-afternoon without having mounds of sunscreen on the child and bright hot sun.