by Arizona Office of Tourism Staff

Sedona, Arizona. Nowhere else does nature yield such a balance of vitality and peace, of majesty and charm, of openness and mystery.

Nestled in a rugged canyon surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest, Sedona – located in North Central Arizona – is the host of many luxurious resorts and inns, unique shops, impressive art galleries and fine restaurants.

Sedona’s Natural Beauty

Sedona is home to beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, which provides one of America’s top 10 scenic drives.

The region is often referred to as Red Rock Country, where the red mountains are named after distinct objects, like Coffeepot, Bell Rock, Snoopy and Cathedral Rock.

Sedona’s natural beauty, historic sites, and metaphysical and spiritual hot spots have made it a favorite destination for travelers from around the world.

Dining and Adventure in Sedona

An outdoor wonderland for nature lovers, Sedona has a mild four-season climate, bright clear skies (and starlit nights), more than 100 trails for hiking and biking, land tours, world-class golf, and air adventures in planes, helicopters and balloons. This city is also home to more than 80 fine art galleries and boutiques.

Whether your cuisine of choice is French, Italian, Asian, Mexican, Southwestern or classic American, you’ll be sure to satisfy your cravings in Sedona. Try local culinary delights, including prickly-pear margaritas, tangy cactus fries and an old-fashioned Cowboy-style steak. Your experience will be enhanced with superb service, whether dining indoors, on the patio or creekside.

A Toast to Sedona and the Verde Valley

Want to see some renowned reds? Don’t just look to Sedona’s famous rock formations. Nearby Page Springs and the surrounding Verde Valley are developing a growing reputation for their reds, too – and rosés and whites.

Luckily for connoisseurs the water and soil of this region are prime for producing wine. Savvy grape growers who happened upon the area in the past couple of decades not only took notice; they took advantage of available, fertile acreage where they set about planting the seeds of their dreams.

Now, more than five vineyards and wineries have sprung up along the banks of Oak Creek and the Verde River.

The wine industry has not only been a dream-come-true for winery owners – many have won national and international vintner’s honors – but the local community has also been reaping the rewards with sustainable agricultural entities, increased tourism and the pride of knowing that many up-and-coming cabernets, zinfandels, sangioveses, syrahs, chardonnays, viogniers and sauvignon blancs are coming from our own Verde Valley.

Say “I Do” in Sedona

What pairs perfectly with wine? Romance.

Wine and romance both are based on the senses, and every “happily ever after” begins with a memorable wedding.

Not only does Red Rock Country provide a treasure trove of beautiful and sacred backdrops for tying the knot, the community itself offers a wealth of people who specialize in making fairytale weddings come true.

More than 100 wedding experts are committed to helping couples create the wedding of their dreams in Sedona and can tailor a wedding around virtually any budget.

Find everything you need from wedding planners and officiants, to renowned photographers and videographers, to florists and decorators, to DJs and musicians, to nationally acclaimed caterers and wedding-cake designers, to stunning attire and luxury transportation – all right in Sedona!

And the options are not limited to weddings. Sedona’s spectacular surroundings and services can also create a most memorable engagement, honeymoon, anniversary or milestone celebration.

Planning Your Trip

There are a number of ways to reach this exquisite destination, including flying into Phoenix and taking a short, 90-minute scenic drive on State Route 179, the first and only designated All American Road in Arizona. The nearly 10-mile stretch known as Red Rock Scenic Byway was recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a “destination unto itself.”

Another option is to utilize Sedona’s scenic, full-service mountaintop airport.