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

El Portal’s Recommendations for Sedona Restaurants

While Sedona is known around the world for its stunning natural beauty, the city has also earned a reputation for its vibrant culinary scene, which features a diverse array of locally owned restaurants that cater to every palate and price point. Over the years, numerous top chefs and restaurateurs have settled in Sedona, where they channel their creativity into dishes that celebrate both regional and international flavors.

At El Portal Sedona Hotel, we love helping our guests plan an itinerary tailored to their interests. Here are a few of our favorite Sedona restaurants:

• Elote Café. This award-winning restaurant features a menu that combines the timeless recipes of southern Mexico with the bold flavors of the American Southwest. Mouthwatering dishes incorporate seasonal, locally grown ingredients, and the cocktail menu boasts the finest tequilas and mezcal. Due to its popularity, dine-in is by reservation only and tables tend to book six weeks in advance, so be sure to call early to save your spot!
• Gerardo’s Pizzeria. With a menu focused on fresh pasta and outstanding pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven, this family-owned restaurant offers both traditional and modern Italian recipes with ingredients sourced from responsible producers. Gerardo’s features a pet-friendly patio.
• René’s. Located just steps from El Portal in Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, René’s has been acclaimed as Sedona’s most romantic restaurant. Led by the esteemed Chef Mercer Mohr, this award-winning restaurant offers elegant dishes that blend locally sourced ingredients with the rich, diverse flavors of the French Mediterranean. Ideal for special occasions or when you’re in the mood for an upscale experience, Rene’s also features a pet-friendly patio.
• Shorebird. This coastal-style eatery presents a modern take on classic Americana flavors with influences from traditional seafood and steakhouses. With menu offerings ranging from shareable plates to raw bar items to wood-fired meats, Shorebird is perfect for a delicious laid-back meal—pets are welcome on the patio, too!
• The Hudson. Located at the Hillside Shopping Plaza, this local hangout offers an inviting ambience, daily happy hours, and seasonal American fare with unique twists on comfort food. With its spectacular views of the red rocks, the Hudson’s patio has drawn local and national attention!

In addition to these and many other wonderful restaurants and cafés, Sedona offers a selection of local craft breweries, as well as wine bars/tasting rooms that feature fine wines from the Verde Valley and beyond.

No matter your dining preferences, you are sure to find a restaurant in Sedona that offers the perfect menu and ambience. To book your stay at our pet-friendly, luxury boutique hotel in the heart of it all, call El Portal today at 800.313.0017!