Traveling to Sedona
 

My friend has invited some of us to go to Sedona for a week.(timeshare) I hear it is gorgeous there. What is there to do for a week? How does one get there? It would seem you travel to Phoenix, then get to Sedona correct? Is there a van that can transport? they do have an airport but it seems the major airlines do not go directly there? Thanks.

You fly to Phoeniz and rent a car.

I assume you meant Sedona had an airport that didn't get major airlines.

You could search here for Sedona to find out what to do.

Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon?

You will need a car unless you just plan to walk around town for the week.

I went in 2003 and did some hiking, driving around, went to Grand Canyon, went to Montezuma Castle National Monument, went to Jerome.

I would get a guidebook if I were you.
some bars:
http://www.pjsvillagepub.com/ (the prime rib sandwich here was really good)
http://www.thefullmoonsaloon.com/ (the karoke here was really good)

Do you know which timeshare?

I believe you can also fly into Flagstaff and drive down to Sedona. I have been to Sedona many times (used to live in Phoenix) and love it. Stop at the visitor's center when you get in town and they can direct you on hikes that fit your skill level and other activities that fit your interests. Cowboy Club (if it is still there) and Shugrue's were two of our favorite places to eat.

We went to Sedona several years ago-flew into Phoenix and rented a car. It is about an hour and half from the Phoenix airport. We loved Sedona and found plenty to do in our week there. We found a different trail to hike(walk) each day, we took a Pink Jeep tour(Broken Arrow), took the trolley tour,went to Red Rock State Park, went to Jerome one day, one day shopping. You will love it there-I would be happy just sitting and gazing at the red rocks. We also like Shugrue's restaurant and Dahl and Delucca. Hope you have fun.

You can rent a car in Phoenix and drive to Sedona or you can take a van shuttle from the Phoenix Airport to Sedona. I read about the shuttle when I was there recently and it was very reasonably priced. But you will need to rent a car once you are in Sedona, so you should look into where it would be more feasible to rent.

Thanks for the quick replies. Yes we plan to rent a car for sure. Her timeshare doesn't look like it is real close to Sedona. (Bell rock?) something like that--So I am thinking if we should rent a car in Sedona or rent it at airport and ride to Sedona? There will be 5 of us you see---Well hiking is not for me. Not a real deal breaker there, I would love to see the Grand canyon and perhaps a jeep tour would be fine for me. I hope a week isn't to much for. I just returned from New Orleans and loved it there. I love Aruba, and the caribbean islands. I am somewhat of a beach kind of person. We are going October 1st. so I have plenty of time to figure it all out.

The only direct flights into Flagstaff are from Los Angeles. Just fly into Phoenix and rent a car there because you will get to Sedona faster than if you try to connect in PHX to Flagstaff.

My favorite restaurants:
Cowboy Club Silver Saddle Room (adult -- no children's menu)
http://www.cowboyclub.com/silver_about.html

Dahl & DiLuca for great Italian:
http://www.dahlanddiluca.com/1/dd-main.htm

Shugrue's Hillside has quite good food. Ask for patio seating for a great view before / during sunset. They will not guarantee it, but if you get there a bit early you should get patio seating.
http://www.shugrues.com/hsg/

A lot of people rave about Elote Cafe, but we were very much underwhelmed. I thought the food was quite bland.

For things to do:
Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour. Try to do it the first day because you will learn a lot about the area.

Visit Jerome.

Take the Verde Canyon Railroad trip.

Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, even if you are not religious. It is beautiful and moving in its simplicity.

Visit Red Rock Crossing and hike to Cathedral Rock.

From Sedona, day trips to Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monument / Sunset Crater.

Definitely at least a day trip to the Grand Canyon.

It the timeshare is near Bell Rock, it is probably the Premiere Vacation Club at Bell Rock. It is about 5 miles south of the town of Sedona. From there, it will be very convenient to get to Red Rock Crossing and, of course, Bell Rock.

You are better off renting the car right at PHX and driving.

October is a great month to be there. We will actually just be checking out of our timeshare at Los Abrigados on October 1.

Speaking of Los Abrigados, do browse through Tlaquepaqe, which is right next to L.A. Maybe have lunch at Oak Creek Brewery there.

http://www.tlaq.com/

Kudos to MikePinTucson who has summed it up for you real well. To add my 2 cents worth :) - if you have kids, don't miss Slide Rock State Park with its natural water slide that ends in the park's swimming area. If you love art - do take a trip to Jerome; Even if you dont love art - take a drive; If you are into new age stuff - visit the 4 vortex areas in Sedona - Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock and Kachina Woman[by Enchantment Resort] to 'imbibe' the natural,potent energy that mother earth emits; Dont miss the sunset - best place to watch Airport road scenic outlook; If you drive to Flagstaff take 89A to go thru the scenic winding road by Oak Creek; Above all - just chill cos that is what Sedona is all about...communing with mother nature and its beauty. Hope you have a wonderful trip

Thanks for mentioning Slide Rock and Oak Creek Canyon, TDiva.

Also, since you will be in a timeshare, you will want to get groceries and other supplies. If you are at the Premier Vacation Club at Bell Rock, there is an IGA very close.

If you head back south on 179, the road you will come in on from PHX, turn right onto Verde Valley School Road. I believe it is the first traffic circle you come to. On the right hand side, Weber's IGA is in that shopping center.

http://local.yahoo.com/info-20147605...d-store-sedona

Verde Valley School Road is also the road you will take to Red Rock Crossing.

Fly to Phoenix. You can either rent a car/van or take a shuttle to Sedona. Go to Phoenix airport "ground transportation" for that.

A rental car is recommended as you want to spend at least one day at the Grand Canyon.

You need a car for Sedona since you'll be flying into PHX.
It's a 2 hour drive.
Lot's of places to roam about with a car.
You do not want to take a shuttle to Sedona.
We go a couple times a year and can never get enough of it.
Lots of great places to eat.
Just being in Sedona is awe inspiring.

diann24: Here is a link to our trip report. It is old, but could still be helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

We stayed at the same timeshare you will be staying. It is actually a converted motel, not built from the ground timeshare condos. We lucked out and got a room facing the pool, ground floor. Very limited kitchen, which we really never used. The place was fine, but nothing compared to other timeshares we have been to. We used an Interval International certificate for the week, paying $230, so it was OK for the price. But make sure to get a GOOD, POOLSIDE ROOM.

This is a beautiful area, so have a good time.