When my sister from Los Angeles wanted to go on a road trip from California to Colorado, I knew I was going to have to adjust my activities, and my expectations. But I was so excited for a girls weekend in Sedona because it’s one of my favorite southwest destinations. Why? There’s an extensive trail network for hiking and biking, incredible food, and dramatic scenery. Oh, and I love for turquoise jewelry, which I’m usually hunting for a new piece. Not that I need any more jewelry, I just enjoy finding a unique piece at a trading post or consignment store that reminds me of the trip.
With only 36 hours to spend in Sedona, I planned my favorite destinations that were approachable and easy enough for her to enjoy.
DAY ONE
Hiking Cathedral Rock
We arrived in Sedona by late afternoon, just in time for a short hike. Cathedral Rock is one of the iconic landmarks in the Sedona skyline. Situated just south of town, the hike to the base of the Cathedrals was a good place to start and get the lay of the land. There is limited parking, so it’s recommended to get there early or pick a weekday to tackle this trail.
The distance is deceiving. It’s less than a mile to the top, but it’s steep. 650 feet of climbing, or scrambling, involves some good balance. There are cairns to mark the trail, but there’s no distinguishing trail as you meander to the top. My sister isn’t as steady on her feet, so we took our time choosing a line. After about 45 minutes, we reached the top. We were rewarded with sweeping views on either side of Sedona, flanked by huge red rocks that jut into the air.
Downhill was a slow and steady pace as we picked the best line down the steep trail. The red rock is tacky and has a good grip if you trust your shoes. Luckily, I had a carrot to entice her to get down… happy hour margaritas.
Where to eat in Sedona
Prickly pear margaritas are popular twist on a classic cocktail throughout the southwest. This bright pink drink with a punch of pear is the perfect cocktail for a girls weekend in Sedona. We cozied up to the busy bar at The Hudson for their signature drink and to cheers the success of covering a lot of driving miles in a day AND squeezing a hike in.
We headed over to Mole for dinner and were seated at a table on their large outside back patio. Elote, a corn dip mixed with cotija cheese and served with chips. I’ve had elote numerous times, but this dish mixed bone marrow into the elote, which made for a decadent and delicious appetizer.
Of course we had mole for our mains… We shared mole con pollo enchiladas, which were house smoked chicken and oaxaca cheese and smothered in a chocolate mole sauce, which were rich and delicious. It was hard to not pass up lamb adobo, a large, tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb shank covered in ancho mole sauce, also equally amazing. There was no room for dessert, even though churros were calling us… but so was sleep.
DAY 2
Hiking Devil’s Bridge
Our Airbnb provided coffee and a continental breakfast, so we filled up on some caffeine and fresh fruit and headed out to our hike for the day.
When we arrived at the trailhead for the Devil’s Bridge at 8am, the lots were already full and cars were spilling out to parking on the road. There are two routes you could take – the dirt road / jeep trail or the singletrack. We started on the jeep road for a more direct route. It’s about two miles to the Devil’s Bridge at the end of the trail. We walked along the road for over a mile until we turned right onto the trail and it started uphill.
This climb was easier than Cathedral Rock because there were steps built into the hillside for the steeper sections. There was only 350 feet of climbing, although all of that elevation was gained in the last ½ mile of the trail.
Once at the top, the bridge spans 45 feet with views over Sedona. There are some great photos to be had on the bridge, which gets as narrow as 5 feet. If you arrive on a crowded day with a long line for the bridge, look around. There are some other good photo ops on the left hand side if you want to avoid waiting in line.
On the way back we took the singletrack, which meandered through sagebrush and trees. This route added an extra mile to the trip, making our roundtrip distance just over 5 miles total. I highly recommend heading out on this trail early in the day to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Where to get smoothies in Sedona
Looking to refuel after the hike and from the heat, we headed to one of my favorite hippy spots, the Local Juicery. Their smoothies are juices are my favorite, but the menu consists other tasty breakfast treats like toasts, waffles, coffees, and tonics. Everything they make is with organice and superfood focused ingredients.
I was overwhelmed by all the delicious options and opted for a classic acai bowl. The traditional base of fresh fruit was topped with house-made granola and honey. It was refreshing, filling, and exactly what I was craving. My sister chose a gluten-free protein toast topped with beet and sesame hummus, avocado, egg, cashew turmeric crema.
Where to swim in Sedona
The afternoon was hot, especially after hiking several miles. Slide Rock State Park is the perfect place for a cool dip in a beautiful area.. Located on Highway 89A, about 7 miles north of town, Slide Rock State Park has natural rock water slides and swimming areas. It’s an easy walk down to the rocks, but they can be slippery, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Don’t forget drinks, snacks, and towels, but leave the glass behind. It’s a great spot to hang out and splash around.
After a quick change, we headed out to walk around town and check out the shops. A girls weekend in Sedona isn’t complete without checking out some of the local artisans. There are a couple good shopping areas, including the Uptown Sedona Mall Plaza, along Highway 89. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, located just south of town, is picturesque with cobblestone streets and old growth trees. There are lots of small shops and restaurants sprinkled throughout the streets.
The Saltrock Southwest Kitchen, located on the river at the swanky Amara Resort, serves modern southwest fare with a large outdoor seating area and lawn. Oversized board games and a cocktail underneath tea lights on the lawn were the perfect for cocktails. Once seated, we started with fresh ceviche and guacamole for tasty appetizers. Our next course consisted of savory grilled seabass and shortrib tacos and tender chicken adobo. While the menu is limited, all the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fantastic.
Full and tired from a jam-packed girls weekend in Sedona, we turned in early. Tomorrow would be another long day on the road ahead of us.
Looking for other desert destinations that are great girls trips? Check out my road trip through Zion National Park.