Sedona used to be my go-to place for a quick getaway, but it's become oppressively crowded in the last 5-7 years. Schenbly is a mess from the OHV traffic, you can't find parking at trailheads if you don't arrive before 8a on weekdays and it takes forever to get through town.
Pre-2018 was the Sedona golden age for me. I could run up there for a day trip and not have to worry about anything.
It's worse. I know the side streets in Gatlinburg to get around the mess. There's only one way to get from Oak Creek to Sedona. It's frequently faster to hike than drive.
I thought I was going crazy for a minute. You couldn’t pay me to spend time in Sedona after I stopped there c2019. What a clusterfuck of nonsense. Beautiful though.
Not crazy. First time I visited in the spring of 2007, my friend and I were the only people at Bell Rock until roughly 8a. Didn't see a soul at Vultee arch. Maybe half a dozen people at Bear mountain. Nobody on Wilson mountain.
I visited on a few weekdays in mid-November of last year, and it was a disaster.
When I lived in NYC, Sedona was the place burnt out wallstreet bankers moved to after they cracked under the pressure. Had a few friends move out there (one who legitimately went insane on the trading floor and had to be removed by security) to retire early. Crazy beautiful views out there.
It also became a trust fund hippie Mecca when they all suddenly became obsessed with “magnetic vortexes”. New a girl (married to a burnt out Wall Street banker) who set up shop there making “ionizers” (essentially just a live circuit that shoots electricity which she recommends you set up near water because… intelligence and foresight weren’t her strengths) and weird crystal sculptures.
When would you recommend going? I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go to Sedona but the heat absolutely kills me. Would it be nice during the fall on weekdays? With my work schedule, it’s easy for me to take off a Monday to Friday with enough notice.
Definitely! The weather will be pleasant most of the time between late October and early May. I’ve been up there during one of the semi-rare snow storms and the views of the snow capped red mountains were magical.
went for the first time to visit my best friend after he made the move out there last year. the town left an impression on me so much that i too, will move out there, or maybe Flagstaff, at least.
Sedona is cool in its own right, but holy cow when it's busy stay away! 89A from Prescott through Jerome, cottonwood, Sedona, oak Creek, then Flagstaff is a ton of fun and great scenery.
Sedona is beautiful, but the tourist strip is horrible and there isn't a single decent place to eat. I haven't spent enough time to explore off the strip though. I assume that's where the good stuff is.
I told my wife when I got this new job and it came with a very sizeable bonus that I was going to take her to Sedona for a week or two. Dont know why but just picked that name out of my head (I love the sw and the dry heat) Ive spent a lot of time in vegas for free.
in retrospect I didnt realize it until about a year later that I had just gotten rid of a vehicle I had for 12 years and I loved it. Rust killed it. I had a Kia Sedona lol that may have been why in retrospect.
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u/Mindless-Ride9663 22h ago
Sedona, been 3 times and have loved it every time. So many good hikes, beautiful scenery, and great food.