Summer Day Trip Getaways: Sedona

Whether you live in the Valley or are considering a move here, the intense heat of the summer can be a hindrance to enjoying the city from June-August. The great thing about living in Scottsdale or Phoenix is the proximity to higher elevation areas with milder temperatures and plenty of activities, both indoor and outdoor. Sedona, Arizona is one of our favorite day trip getaways, and we will share our reasons why.

A two-hour drive from downtown Phoenix or two and a half hours from Old Town Scottsdale, Sedona offers beautiful rock butte views, pine tree forests and a vibrant culture that visitors love to experience. Aside from the aesthetic beauty of Sedona, there is plenty to do, and with an average temperature that’s 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix, you won’t find yourself exhausted at day’s end.

Whether you’re by yourself, with a spouse or significant other, or bringing the whole family, there are several activities to enjoy during your day trip. Sedona is well known for its hiking trails, and with the cooler temperatures, you won’t feel pressed to finish before the sun gets too intense as you would in the Valley. Some favorite hiking trails in the area are West Fork Trail, Cathedral/Templeton Trail, and Fay Canyon Trail. Full of stunning red rock walls, flowing bodies of water (hard to find those in Phoenix), and beautiful forests, you’ll have a blast exploring these hikes solo or with a group.

For the couples looking for a great day trip destination, Sedona is home to some of the best wineries in all of Arizona. With its higher elevation and rich soil, northern Arizona is the perfect location for vineyards and making some incredible wine. In order to maximize your day trip we recommend taking a wine tasting tour, like those offered by Sedona Wine Adventures. This can save you the time and hassle of figuring out which wineries to visit. This way, a tour guide takes you around to some of the best in northern Arizona, and offers you the opportunity to visit your favorites again on your next day trip!

Unless you have a pressing need to return to Phoenix before it gets dark, we highly recommend staying to catch a view of the amazing night skies Sedona has to offer. The ability to see stars in Sedona is thanks to its designation as a Dark Sky Community, which it earned in 2014. Living in a big city like Phoenix, it’s easy to forget that there are countless stars that shine throughout the evening, and Sedona is a great location to experience those twinkles in the sky. There are options for stargazing tours in Sedona, but you could easily park in a dark area, look up, and enjoy the show.

The next time you’re feeling like the summer heat is too much, give a day trip to Sedona a try. We are certain you’ll love the weather, the scenery, and everything else in this incredible section of Arizona!