It’s the final baby countdown — and the twins will be here before we know it. Before Kevin and I begin our new adventures as dads, I figured we could use a little Zen. And is there anywhere else on Earth as Zen as Sedona? That’s when I began researching a mini getaway from LA with an Arizona babymoon in Sedona.
Checking out the view of the red rocks from the porch of our Airbnb in Sedona.
We originally envisioned our babymoon along the coast of Italy — chowing down on cheese, sipping wine. Or maybe some wild adventures backpacking through southeast Asia? But between coronavirus and our surrogate ready to pop at any moment, it just wasn’t in the cards this year. But an Arizona babymoon in Sedona turned out to be exactly what we needed. Soon enough, our next big adventure will involve trying to get the stroller into the trunk of my car. Hey, it’s a lot harder than it looks!
A Room With a View: Where to Stay During Your Arizona Babymoon in Sedona
We’ve been on an Airbnb kick lately. During a pandemic, it’s one of the best options since you can rent out an entire home — avoiding common areas or packed elevators like you’d find in many hotels. The Hilltop Lounge on Airbnb was the perfect base to explore Sedona. Plus, those views couldn’t be beat.
Bedroom with a view.
It isn’t exactly cheap ($250 a night, excluding taxes and fees), but we justified it with all that money we were saving on an international flight. Our time in Sedona was mostly to relax so finding a comfortable place was at the top of our list. Sedona can get scorching hot during the day, but the mornings are still relatively cool, making breakfast on the front balcony a nice option to start your day.
Top Pick: Most Romantic Restaurant in Sedona
Dinner at Cress on Oak Creek at L’Auberge de Sedona
Cress on Oak Creek is one of the most romantic spots in Sedona. This is fine dining at it’s best, located inside the fancy L’Auberge resort. But what it’s most known for is its tranquil creek side outdoor dining. I mean, this place is basically designed for marriage proposals. Or a backdrop to some romantic comedy. No wonder we love it so much!
Selfie time at the Oak Creek.
The restaurant’s outdoor, creek side dining is best during Sedona’s warmer months (generally March – October). After that, you’ll likely want to eat inside (during non-pandemic times). The chilly weather didn’t even dawn on me when Kevin and I first ate here back in February. Let’s just say, there was no way we’d be eating outdoors unless we had on Long Johns, gloves and a heat lamp at full blast. But with that said, the indoor dining is also a nice option and still ranks as Sedona’s most romantic dining spot.
Top Picks on What to Do in Sedona: Feeling the Inner Zen Before All the Diaper Changing to Come
Hiking in Sedona, home to the famed vortexes of Arizona.
There are countless hikes you can do in Sedona. I recommend downloading the All Trails app on your phone, where you can peruse what hike works best for you. Sedona can get broiling hot in the summer, especially in July when we visited. So we could either wake up at the crack of dawn (umm, pass!) or find a hike that is mostly shaded. I think you can guess which option we chose?
The shaded path along Boynton Canyon Trail.
Kevin and I have done a lot of hiking through Sedona. But Boynton Canyon Trail, 6.1 miles out and back, ranks at the top of our list. It’s easy to get to, just a short drive from downtown Sedona, and is shaded most of the way. Score! In total, it took us about 2.5 hours to complete. The trail even has a parking lot at the very start. There are limited spots, but we had no issue finding one during the afternoon we visited.
Parking lot at Boyton Canyon Trail in Sedona.
From the parking lot, it’s just a short walk to the hike’s trailhead. You’ll know you’ve reached the right spot when you find the trail marker.
Kevin seems concerned after seeing Boyton Canyon Trail shares the same path as Deadmans Pass. But don’t worry, the hike isn’t overly strenuous.
Boynton Canyon is one of Sedona’s more popular trails, since it has developed a reputation for some strong spiritual energy from the nearby vortex. Whether you believe in all this or not, you’ll find some incredible beauty along these trails with its towering buttes, red cliffs and desert flowers. We felt great on this hike, so who knows, maybe it was the vortex energy? Okay, and maybe the 3 cups of coffee that morning helped too!
It’s All In The Cards: Get A Tarot Reading
You’ll find no shortage of shops selling crystals, magical candles, aura readings and of course, our favorite, tarot card readings. Whenever Kevin and I visit Sedona, we always love booking an hour couple’s reading to see what’s in the cards. But we particularly enjoy Sedona Crystal Vortex, located right in the heart of downtown Sedona.
This is our one stop shop for every crystal imaginable — with descriptions that all start to sound the same by offering, “inner calmness, balance and power!” I think we might need a case of these after the twins arrive. If you just want to dip your toe into a tarot reading, the shortest session offered is 20 minutes. We ended up getting 30 minutes each, which costs $60 per person. Advanced reservations are highly recommended if you want to book a specific time. Our tarot reader Judy just loved Kevin, saying his eyes naturally smiled back at her. As for me, well, we didn’t exactly hit it off (especially after she said I had cold eyes!). Clearly, I need some lessons from Tyra Banks on how to better “smize” (smile with the eyes). I blame it on my coronavirus mask. After all, I got voted “best smile” during my senior year of high school. Take that Judge Judy! All in all, it’s a fun activity and what better place to try it out than in Sedona?
Stroll Downtown Sedona and Browse All the Cute Shops
You’ll find plenty of candles for sale in Sedona. One of the many shops in downtown.
Maybe it’s yoga that helps you reach your inner calm? But for me, the ultimate therapy is shopping. Though, I’m much more your casual browser than actual buyer. Sedona’s compact downtown is a great place to window shop even if many of the stores begin to blend together. If you’re looking for a more unique place to spend your afternoon shopping, I recommend checking out Tlaquepaque (quite the mouthful, right?!), a shopping plaza fashioned after a traditional Mexican village.
Art galleries and shopping at Tlaquepaque in Sedona.
Its vine covered stucco walls, cobble-stoned walkways and magnificent arched entryways give you the feeling that Tlaquepaque has been here for centuries (but in reality, has been a landmark in Sedona since the 1970’s). Originally conceived as an artist community, Tlaquepaque has a mixture of dining options and shops that mostly include Southwestern art. And yes, you’ll even find a candle shop here! But you won’t find the typical T-shirt shops like in downtown. While you’re here, make sure you cross the street and visit Creekside Coffee and Bakery. There isn’t a better view in town to sip on your latte while taking in Sedona’s red rocks.
Creekside Coffee and Bakery in Sedona.
There you have it. I can feel my inner Zen already… I guess I just needed an Arizona babymoon in Sedona. I’ll just try to avoid loading that baby carriage in the car for now! Have more time in Arizona and looking for other travel ideas? Check out our perfect 2-day itinerary in Page, Arizona that takes you through the picture-perfect Antelope Canyon. Love quirky travel spots and classic Americana? Follow our great American road trip along Route 66. And be sure to check out all our Arizona coverage on Gourmet Globetrotter.
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