1) Weather (Bring water!!)
The weather in Sedona is one of the most frequently asked questions. In the spring (late March - May), it can be cold and chilly in the morning and evening (30s-40s) and can also be pretty warm during a sunny day (50s-70s). It can snow in March but it usually does not stick on the ground. However, a few times a year in the winder and spring times, there are days when snow would shut down some of the roads especially 89A heading towards Flagstaff.
In the summer (June - September), it gets hot! Yes, it is Arizona. With Sedona being 5000 feet above see level, it is not as hot as Phoenix. But it does get hot and sometimes above 100. Typically, a day time temp averages around 80-90s with a night time temp of 60-70s. Also, from late July to early September is a monsoon season in Arizona. Sedona is no exception to that. There may be a thunderstorm that rolls in especially in the evening and dump a couple inches of rain within a matter of an hour. It does create some of the most beautiful sky with sunset and lightening, however, you do not want to be hiking in it. Watch out for the water level at nearby creeks and water sites. It can get high pretty quick. Sedona is not known for waterfalls. However, after a rain storm, some waterfalls magically appears.
Fall season in Sedona starts in late September and continues until early November (or end of October). The temp starts to get cooler and the leaves starts to change colors in late October. A drive on 89A to and from Flagstaff is one of the prettiest drives in Arizona in the fall and definitely my fav!
During the winter months (late November to early March), it does get cold but not to the point where it is too cold to be outside. The temp are around 20-30s at night and 40-50s during the day. In sunny days, it is warm enough to go outside and hike in a long sleeve t-shirt and shorts (at least to me), especially if you are coming from somewhere colder. It can snow but usually not a lot except for a few days in a winter season. BUT, Arizona is not well equipped for a snow storm. When it does happen, there may be some delays or closures on roads and highways especially at higher elevation.
When you are visiting Sedona, make sure to BRING WATER! Bringing water is a must when you hike. It is so easy to get dehydrated in the dry heat. Also, do not expect to find water on a trail. Make sure to bring water!
Sunscreen is also a must in the summer not an option. Bring your hat or cap if you can.
2) Crowds
Yes. It is crowded. Sedona has become the go to place not only in the state of AZ but also in the entire Southwest. On weekends, a 5 mile drive from Village of Oak Creek to Sedona may take more than an hour or close to 2. It can be very hard to find a parking spot at some of the popular hiking trailheads or in town of Sedona. the busiest time of a year is March. If you are renting a car or finding a place to stay, make sure to plan well ahead. Often times than not, rental cars at the airport sell out. If you are planning on having a dinner at one of the recommended restaurants in Sedona like Mariposa and Hudson, make sure to make a reservation. It is a good idea to make one anyways in Sedona in general.
If you want to avoid crowds, get to a hiking spot EARLY! Early meaning even before sunrise. Some trails do not open til later in the morning such as West Fork and Soldiers Pass. But get there EARLY! I have seen people starting to hike as early as it gets bright enough to see. For food, avoid peak times. Grab early dinner instead of having dinner when everyone does. You could try to go later but most restaurants close by 9-10pm.
Avoid weekends and holidays if that is an option. Things are way easier during weekdays.
3) Parking
You will need a parking pass to park at the most trailheads. You can purchase a day pass and a multi-day pass at a kiosk at a parking site. You can find a sign at each parking lot that tells you whether you need to pay or not. Certain areas such as West Fork and other state parks require additional parking fee. If you have the annual national park pass, you can use that as a parking permit. Just display that on a dashboard. A parking permit can also be purchased at the Visitor Center on 179, gas stations, grocery stores, etc.
Again, go early in the morning to secure your spot because it can get crowded and hard to find a parking later in the day. You may have to drive around to find a spot to park. Roadside parking may be allowed on some roads. Look out for a sign. Please do not park illegally as many roadside parking is located in residential areas. If you cannot fit your car without going over the line, please do not park.
For parking in Uptown Sedona, there are free parking on both sides of the main road (89A) just within a short walking distance. There is parking right on 89A but you need to pay during the day.
4) Sunset
Ok. Most people visiting Sedona seem to want to know "the best sunset spot". It depends on whether you are willing to hike out in the dark after the sunset. Most are looking to find a spot where you park your car and watch the sunset. My best sunset spot in Sedona is the Upper Red Rock Loop Road. A drive down the road during sunset is the best way to experience the sunset in Sedona. The road is narrow and curvy so make sure to pay attention to other cars and roads as it is easy to get sidetracked by the magnificent sunset view of Cathedral Rock turning golden. However, you will need to time it right. The recommended time frame is 10-20min before the sunset. If you chose to do so, you can park at one of the 3 pullouts along side the road and watch the sunset. They are not a marked parking lot and just a pullout so mark it in your GPS or map so you won't miss it. Or you can also drive all the way to Secret Slick Rock trailhead parking and see the sunset from there. All these parkings are free at this moment.
5) Animals
Sedona has one of the most beautiful animals. And they could be dangerous. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, javelinas, coyotes, tarantulas, maybe mountain lions, if you are lucky. Most sighted animals are javelinas and coyotes. If you are on a hiking trail or driving around in a residential area, you may find them walking around. You don't see them "everywhere" thought. Javelinas can be aggressive so stay away from them and leave them alone. They will go on their way. Coyotes will usually run away from you. However, if you have a small pet, look out for them. You may see a rattlesnake on a hiking trail. They are usually harmless. If you see them, just go around and you will be fine. And do not stick your foot or hand in a bush where you cannot see everything.
The only animal you do not want to see is a mountain lion. It is extremely rare but they do live in Sedona area. If you do see one, make noises and slowly back away. Do not attack them unless you absolutely have to for a survival.
6) Getting to Sedona
The easiest way to get to Sedona is to drive yourself. If you are flying, you will be flying into Phoenix, or maybe Flagstaff or Las Vegas. From Phoenix, the quickest way is to take I-17 to 179 through Village of Oak Creek. However, you can get off I-17 onto 169 to visit Prescott or 260 to visit Cottonwood and Jerome for s side trip. You can take 89A from Prescott through Jerome and Cottonwood finally to Sedona. It takes a bit longer but it may worth a drive if you are looking to see other areas than just Sedona. Sedona is about 2-2 1/2 hours from Phoenix depending on what part of Phoenix you are driving from.
From Flagstaff, you just take 89A south from the airport towards Sedona and enjoy the drive! If you are driving from Las Vegas, take I-40 to Flagstaff, then, take either 89A south or I-17 to 179.
Another way to get to Sedona is by a shuttle bus. There are a few shuttle bus services between Sedona and Phoenix.
7) Food, hikes, places to stay, things to do.....
This depends on personal preferences so I am not going to get into it much. And there is a lot of information that can be found on the internet.
Here are my personal favs....
Food/Coffee
Indian Gardens Cafe & Market, Hideaway House, Pump House Station, ChocolaTree Organic Eatery, Pisa Lisa, Pizzeria Bocce (in Cottonwood).
Places to Stay
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, TinyCamp, Poco Diablo Resort
Hikes
Secret Slick Rock trail, Hangover trail, Birthing Cave trail. There are just too many to list.....
8) Night Sky
Last but not least, the night skies in Sedona are AMAZIN! Sedona and Village of Oak Creak (and Flagstaff) are all dark sky community. If you are in Sedona, stargazing is a must! You can see so many starts and shooting stars! I will talk a lot more about that later so stay tuned!
Don't forget to check out Sedona Night Skies facebook page!
<Extra Tip>
If you are wondering about cell phone service in Sedona, you should be fine as long as you are close to 2 main freeways, 179 and 89A. However, depending on the carrier, cell service can by spotty. I have ATT and it works fine the most part, however, certain areas I go to often not too far from one of the freeways, I lose service such as Cathedral Rock trailhead. I would download a map on your phone before you go. You don't need a phone service to use GPS on your phone.