Planning Your Trip to Sedona & a Grand Canyon Day Trip

A simple step-by-step guide to the perfect Northern Arizona getaway

Getting to Sedona

• Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Most common and best option
  • Wide range of flights and rental cars
• Drive from Phoenix to Sedona
  • ~2 hours scenic drive
  • Beautiful red rock approach on Highway 179
• Alternative airports:
  • Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (50 miles north)
  • Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas – ~4 hour drive)

Where to Stay in Sedona

• Stay at El Portal Sedona Hotel
• Historic 1900s adobe-style boutique hotel
• Only 12 unique rooms — book early
• Walk to:
  • Oak Creek
  • Shops & galleries
  • Restaurants
• Central location = one of the best in Sedona

Explore Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

• Visit Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
• Just steps from your room
• Features:
  • 40+ shops & galleries
  • Restaurants & wine tasting
  • Beautiful Spanish-style courtyards
• A must-see Sedona experience

Day Trip to the Grand Canyon (Easy & Worth It)

• Distance: ~100 miles from Sedona
• Perfect one-day trip

Suggested Plan:

• Leave Sedona by 8:00 AM
• Drive to the East Entrance (recommended)
• Explore scenic viewpoints along Desert View Drive
• Return to Sedona by dinner

Tips:

• Ask your hotel staff for the best route
• Bring water, snacks, and a camera
• Most visitors only need one full day

Best Sedona Hiking Trails (Top 10)

Sedona has 100+ trails — here are 10 favorites:

• Cathedral Rock (iconic views)
• Devil’s Bridge (largest natural arch)
• Bell Rock Pathway (easy & scenic)
• Airport Mesa Loop (sunset favorite)
• Soldier Pass Trail (Seven Sacred Pools & cave)
• Boynton Canyon (vortex energy site)
• West Fork Trail (shaded canyon hike)
• Fay Canyon (easy & family-friendly)
• Doe Mountain (flat-top panoramic views)
• Broken Arrow Trail (red rock adventure)

Take a Scenic Drive to Jerome & Cottonwood

• Drive 45 minutes west on Highway 89A

Stops:

• Jerome
  • Historic mining town
  • Shops, art galleries, incredible views
• Cottonwood
  • Great for lunch or dinner
  • Wine tasting rooms
  • Relaxed, local vibe

Dining & Travel Tips

• Sedona offers some of the best dining in Arizona
• Options for every budget
• Dress is casual everywhere

Important tips:

• Restaurants typically close early (8:00–8:30 PM)
• Make dinner reservations in advance
• Sedona lifestyle = early mornings, early evenings

Final Thought

• Sedona is not just a destination — it’s a place to slow down, recharge, and reconnect
• Combine it with a Grand Canyon day trip, and you have one of the most memorable experiences in the American Southwest

The Story of the Two Muchas

From antiques and ballpoint pens to Swatch watches or even running shoes, the art of collecting is not just about acquiring items; it’s about the stories these items carry. Every true collector has one thing in common: each piece in their collection comes with its own unique narratives about the item itself and how it was discovered.

This is our story of the two Muchas.

Part I

First, who is Alfons Maria Mucha? Known internationally as Alphonse Mucha, he was a Czech painter, illustrator, and graphic artist who made his mark during the Art Nouveau period in Paris. He gained fame for his decorative theatrical posters, particularly those featuring the renowned actress, Sarah Bernhardt.

For years, my wife, Connie, and I explored the antique shops of Pasadena almost every Sunday. We built beautiful friendships with the dealers and relished discovering new treasures. One Sunday in the 1980s, we visited a charming little shop called “Blackwelder’s,” known for its early 1900s fabrics and Art Nouveau furnishings. The store was a delightful step back in time, with tapestries depicting English hunting scenes and ornate brass candelabras. That day, I noticed two large paintings in green hand-carved frames showcasing what appeared to be Slavic women. They stood out from the usual décor and caught my eye.

I asked Dale, one of the shop’s owners, about the paintings, remarking, “They have a Mucha look to them.”

His response was a delightful surprise: “Good call! They are, in fact, by Alfons Maria Mucha!”

My excitement bubbled over. “Wow! How on earth did you come by them?”

I shared with Dale how I had discovered Mucha during a trip to New York in the 1970s. While wandering through a trendy area called SoHo, I came across a striking silkscreened Sarah Bernhardt poster beside an exquisite Tiffany lamp. Both pieces left an indelible mark on my memory, igniting my passion for Mucha’s work and the Art Nouveau movement.

Dale continued, “We’re selling these paintings for a dear friend who wants a quick sale. The price is well below market value but must be paid in cash and is non-negotiable.”

When he revealed the price, I was taken aback—it was high, but reasonable for two original oils. The rarity of this opportunity was not lost on us. We knew that chances like this were few and far between. As I’ve learned, action is essential when the moment presents itself. We agreed: no vacations, no more dining out; let’s do it! We returned to the shop the next day and paid cash for the two Muchas.

Part II

Fast forward to the 1990s. We moved our pet food business from behind our pet shop in Altadena to Irwindale, California. I still liked returning to Altadena to visit old friends and see Steve’s Pet Shop on Lake Street. Deep down, I’m just a small merchant. I enjoyed waiting on customers and got all my best ideas on new pet products by listening to our pet shop customers.

When I could, I would like to get to town early to meet my circle of left-leaning socialist friends at the local coffee shop. In the days before the internet, people talked. There were no phones nearby, and we used newspapers, books, and NPR as our main sources of information. It was an intelligent group, and I missed the daily discussions.

One of my friends, Tom, was the group’s intellectual, a local art painting restorer and a part-time picture hoarder/collector. His expertise and passion for art added a unique dimension to our circle.

“Tom, can you clean my Mucha paintings from the early 20th century?” I asked him. “They are getting a little flakey and need cleaning.”

He looked at me and said, “Green handmade frames with paintings of two Slavic women? Wow.”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Get a cup of coffee and sit down,” Tom replied.

Tom sat at the big round table and told the story of the two Muchas: “As you know, I spend my weekends at garage sales and swap meets looking for paintings. Once in a while, I stumble on good pictures or watercolors. I was walking between dealers selling old LPs at the third Sunday Pasadena College swap meet. It was mostly furniture and car parts. And wouldn’t you know, leaning up against a car were the two Muchas!

“My heart skipped a beat,” Tom continued. “I know those paintings. They were once part of six owned by L.A. Art Museum. Two Slavic women, one wearing a scarf and the other praying, oils on stretched canvas and handmade frames.

“Still shaken, I asked the seller what she was asking for the pictures: $85! Of course, after buying some other pictures, I only had $50 left,” Tom explained. “I asked her to hold them and said I would be right back. I went looking for some friends to gather more cash, but when I returned, only one of the paintings remained. Damn! So, I bought the one painting.”

“Okay, how did you get the other painting?” I asked.

Tom said that months later at the same swap meet, the woman who bought the painting had put it up for sale again, now selling for twice as much. Tom found the money and bought the painting. All of us at the coffee shop table looked at each other, and one of the members asked, “So how did Steve get the two Muchas?”

Tom laughed and said, “Well, that is another story. Years later, my wife and I decided to divorce, and the only essential things we owned were the two Muchas. We sold them for cash through a friend, an art dealer in Pasadena. He then sold them to Steve and Connie.”

“Wow, what a great story!” I said. I returned the paintings to Tom to be cleaned, and he spent months restoring them to their original condition. The two pictures now hang in our Arts-and-Crafts home in Sedona, “The Greenhouse.”

As I said, antique collecting is all about the story, and every object has its own unique tale.

The Story of El Portal and Our East Portrait Wall

Welcome to El Portal Sedona, a boutique hotel that transcends its 12 rooms to become a personal journey through time and artistry. As the owners of El Portal, my wife, Connie Segner, and I, have poured our hearts into this homage to the grand homes of the early 20th century. Our collection of Arts-and-Crafts furnishings, lamps, and carefully curated art is not just a display, but a reflection of our deep passion for history and art.

For me, this passion is a hobby and a lifelong love that began at a young age. When I was about 12 years old, my parents took our family to Pismo Beach, California. Just up the road was the world-famous Hearst Castle, the opulent home of newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, famously depicted in “Citizen Kane.” Hearst, who scoured Europe after World War I, brought back thousands of pieces of art, furniture, and sculptures. The experience of visiting his castle was far more captivating than any museum I had encountered.

At El Portal and our adjacent home, “The Greenhouse,” Connie and I have crafted our version of a turn-of-the-century hotel and gallery, albeit on a smaller scale. We began by collecting essential furniture—pieces to sit on and tables to gather around. Over the years, our collection evolved to include lamps, fine pictures, portraits, and decorative art that resonate with the charm of the Arts-and-Crafts movement.

One of the most cherished treasures at El Portal is our East portrait wall. This unique feature is a tribute to the women who have shaped Sedona’s history. Each portrait is a piece of art and a window into the past, telling a story of grace and strength. Our focus was not on famous artists or expensive works, but rather on capturing the essence of real people through realism.

Visitors often ask why we chose to showcase women on this wall. My response is akin to why anyone collects watches or cars—collecting is a deeply personal endeavor. For us, it’s a way of sharing our stories and passions.

El Portal is more than just a hotel; it serves as a place that celebrates art, history, and community. We warmly invite you to experience this unique blend during your stay. Welcome to our world at El Portal!