WEST COAST OF THE USA STAGE 9: SEDONA - PHOENIX

Although we have left the strong stages of our car route along the west coast of the United States, visiting many of those natural parks that appear on the covers of travel magazines, we still have a few days to return the car in San Francisco . And, after visiting the Monument Valley, we stayed one day tranquiletes in Sedona, and we were surprised!

For all those who want to stop by, here we leave the Top 10 things to see and do in Sedona:

Although it is not a well-known place for most of those who plan a route along the west coast of the United States, Sedona has a lot of things to see and do in its surroundings. Here we tell you the top 10:

1. Slide Rock State Park

It is one of the main attractions of Sedona. Visiting this state park is worth it especially in summer, when you can take the opportunity to take a dip or take a tubbing down the falls of the stream. It is in theOak creek canyon, 7 km north of Sedona, and being a state park, is not included in the annual passes like “America the Beautiful”, the entrance price varies depending on the calendar: between $ 20 and $ 30 per vehicle (up to 4 people ) between May and September and $ 10 between October and April.

→ More information on their website

Slide Rock State Park, Arizona

2. Chapel of the Holy Cross

This impressive church rises amid the rocks rocks, defying gravity (and aesthetics). Although its construction was very controversial, we must not deny that it has its point. It is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is free.

→ More information on their website

Chapel of the Holy Cross, Arizona

3. Red Rock State Park

The reason why many Americans approach Sedona to spend a few days is this state park. If you've already visited Monument Vally, Arches, Canyonlands ... it probably won't impress you, but give it a try, it might surprise you. As the name implies, it is an area of ​​mountains of red rock and capricious formations (such as the imposing Cathedral Rock), crossed by multiple paths for all kinds of people. Admission is $ 7 per person.

A good place to enjoy the park and make a quiet break is the Crescent Moon Picnic Site, although spending the day here costs you $ 10 per car (up to 5 people). (More info)

→ More information on their website
→ Park map

Red Rock State Park, Arizona

4. Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village

It is actually a commercial area, but it has been built following the model of a Mexican town, with its cobbled streets, its courtyards, its vines hanging from the roofs and its arches. Here there are many art galleries and artist workshops, so it is a good place to disconnect a little from nature routes.

→ More information on their website

Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, Arizona

5. V-Bar-V Heritage Site

In this place there are a total of 1,032 petroglyphs engraved in rock, which are related to the pre-Columbian culture Without water, and date from the years 1150-1400 of our era. The forms represent, for the most part, animals and humans, although geometric shapes are also found (but nothing about aliens or giant birds, too bad). To enter you will need the Red Rock Pass (from $ 5 per day) or the America the Beautiful.

→ More information on their website

Petroglyphs of V-Bar-V Heritage Site, Arizona

6. Montezuma Castle

If you have not yet opened your mouth in amazement, surely in front of this castle you can not resist anymore. Because it is not just any castle, of those to which we are accustomed in Spain or France, this is an adobe building built on a cliff 30 meters from the ground, in a kind of natural cave. Its construction dates back to the year 1,100 and, although it is named after the last Aztec ruler, it has nothing to do with it. As a curiosity to tell you that it was the third place considered a national monument of the United States, in 1906. It is included in the annual pass of America The Beautiful, and if you do not have it, the price of admission is $ 10 and gives you right to also enter the and Tuzigoot National Monuments.

→ More information on their website

Montezuna Castle, Arizona

7. Honanki Ruins Heritage Site

They are some Indian ruins belonging to the Hopi tribe, which inhabited the place between 1,100 and 1,300. Here they established their homes, from where they went out to hunt, to cultivate small lands and gather fruits, here they worked leather and cooked. In the Hopi language, Honanki means "bear house."

→ More information on their website

Honanki Ruins, Arizona

8. Palatki Heritage Site

Other ruins of the same era. Both these and the previous ones are some of the best preserved ruins of that time in the United States and the largest buildings in this area. To enter this space and the previous one you need the Red Rock Pass (from $ 5 per day) or the America the Beautiful.

→ More information on their website

Palatki Heritage Site, Arizona

9. Sedona Magician Retreat

It is a yoga center and a place to make spiritual retreats. Throughout these years, its operation has been quite controversial and has been the subject of many criticisms, although its principles are as admirable as peace in the universe. Its founder is Ilchi Lee, a Korean who settled in the late twentieth century in Sedona and where he teaches his training methods. In addition to all this, the site is quite cool!

→ More information on their website

Sedona Magician Retreat, Arizona

10. Green Canyon Railroad

It is an old railway that runs along the panoramic route that runs from Clarkdale to Perkinsville for 32 km, passing through beautiful landscapes, bridges and tunnels. A 4-hour round trip but that could be a 100-year trip to the past. The price is not cheap, start at $ 65 and amount to $ 350 if you want to go on the locomotive!

→ More information on their website

Green Canyon Railroad, Arizona

We came from visiting the Monument Valley, north of Sedona, so we passed Flagstaff, crossed Route 66 and continued on Highway 89A to Sedona. It is a small road that crosses a forest, when we passed it was under construction and it took a long time, but in normal conditions this section does not take long.

From Sedona to Phoenix there are two options: continue on 89A to Cottonwood, and from there turn south, or take the 179 that crosses some of the coolest formations in this area.

→ This is the route map

This national park, which is located north of Flagstaff, offers some interesting short walks around an impressive volcanic area. You can cross areas completely filled with fossilized black volcanic lava among extinct volcanoes, something super different from what we have seen at the moment on the entire route! The park is covered by car, is round trip and is included in the America the Beautiful pass. It does not take long to travel and the truth is that we recommend it. More information about the park.

The best short walks are:

• Lava Flow Trail, 1.6km
• The Lenox Crater also 1.6km

Sedona is an interesting town, with good restaurants and coffee shops, quality accommodation at good prices and natural attractions and historical points around it. If you have plenty of time it is not a bad idea to dedicate a day or two, now, if you are in a hurry, you can sleep one night and make an occasional visit in the time you have (or relax in the pool of your accommodation, jiji ).

And what the fuck, just to see some of those huge Arizona cactus!

We booked a night at the GreenTree Inn Sedona, we paid $ 78. It is a very cool motel, with huge rooms and a pool that will make you wonder if you go out to explore the area or stay to throw yourself at the Bartola.

* Some photos of the article were obtained from shutterstock

Video: The West 2019 Part 4: The Long Road to Arizona (April 2024).