Arizona's Magazine With the Great View
Curt Walters is a storied Sedona artist and one of the most notable Grand Canyon painters in the entire world. But throughout his long career, there was one thing he hadn’t done until recently: publish a…
Building The Foundation Like many Sedona homes, this one was designed to capitalize on the views. “They were interested in something unique, something modern. And of course, they wanted to maximize the views,” says Paul Pellicani,…
Jack’s Canyon is easy to reach, quiet (a real rarity these days) and offers up stunning views. The strenuous trail that is just over 13 miles out and back is also one of the more underrated…
PBS star Bob Ross is one of the most iconic artists of all time. The landscape painter is renowned for his show where he would teach others how to draw outdoor scenes in relatively short amounts…
WHERE TO STAY L’AUBERGE DE SEDONA L’Auberge de Sedona beckons with a truly exceptional setting right by Oak Creek. The luxe and quaint Creekside cabins feature a plush bed, windows showcasing great views, a generously sized…
KATHARINE MILANO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Katharine Milano, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who practices psychedelic assisted therapy and metaphysical psychology in Sedona, advises others to really think of self-care as an internal process. “We often look at…
The trail that leads up Bear Mountain – named after the animal it resembles – may only be 2.3 miles one way, but it’s easily one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. The challenge is…
Looking to experience the holidays in another city? Then consider heading down South to Tucson. Southern Arizona’s largest city features holiday parades, an ice skating rink downtown and hotels that host plenty of festive events and…
EXPERIENCING CHRISTMAS IN PRESCOTT If you love the holidays or are searching for a quick getaway to a festive place, you’re in luck. Prescott is only 90 minutes from Sedona and is called Arizona’s Christmas City…
When summer’s high temps are finally in the past, we love to luxuriate in a long hike. The Boynton Canyon Trail is one of our favorite Sedona hikes that’s not too difficult and has plenty to…
West Sedona’s Eagle Dancer Estate is an outstanding property. The home, which features four casitas and one main casa, has plenty of striking features, but the materials are one of the many things about this impressive…
Late sculptor John Henry Waddell and painter Ruth Holland Waddell resided near Sedona for decades and were important members of the local artistic community. In his lifetime, John created over 150 sculptures. One of his works,…
For the first time ever, the City of Sedona, in conjunction with the Sedona Community Library, named two official poet laureates in the spring of 2025. Gary Every will serve a two-year term as Sedona’s poet…
Sedona resident and Dutch native Christel Veraart’s latest album was inspired by one moment during the 2020 pandemic. “The first thing I heard one morning when I woke up, it was a tango,” she says. “That’s…
The Soldier Pass Arches hike meets all the requirements of a downright perfect day hike. Just three miles round trip. Check. A challenging, but not impossible, trail. Check. Gorgeous views and a few fun places to…
THE GRAND CANYON The Grand Canyon is the most iconic spot in all of Arizona, and no other place comes even remotely close. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a…
Malena Peraza lost her mother to dementia and felt lost after her mom was diagnosed. “I was raising two kids, and I had no idea once we discovered that my mom had dementia, I didn’t know…
We’ll never tire of seeing Sedona’s famed red rocks in a different light. And if you’re up for a relatively moderate hike that will take you around the base of Chimney Rock, consider the Chimney Rock…
Tucked away in Carefree – a little less than two hours from Sedona – Civana Wellness Resort & Spa features classic desert scenery. Guests can watch quail roam throughout the property, which is dotted with towering…
The Grand Canyon is a truly epic site that has captivated artists for hundreds of years. The Celebration of Art is an annual event where award-winning artists gather to capture the Canyon’s awe-inspiring beauty. The Grand…
LAKE TAHOE NORTH Lake Tahoe is worth a trip, especially if you’ve never been. The lake’s deep blue waters coupled with the mountains and pine trees is a truly breathtaking site. If you’re looking for a…
Spread across 175 acres, Keepers of the Wild is an animal sanctuary located on Route 66 in Valentine. The nonprofit is a little over 30 minutes from Kingman and has a fascinating history. It was founded…
SEDONA MONTHLY: Where are from originally? JOE BECHARD: I grew up in Boise, Idaho. How did you get interested in winemaking? Well, it’s kind of a long story, but it really goes back to my wife…
When those high summer temperatures linger, we (and most of Arizona, really) often hop in the car and head up to Flagstaff to cool off. The nearby mountain town has plenty to offer in terms of…
William C. White’s career as a musician has taken him to plenty of places. After graduate school, he served as the assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony. He’s worked with community, professional and youth orchestras as…
Hotels open in Northern Arizona fairly frequently, but Clarkdale’s Taawaki Inn is remarkable for several reasons. For starters, the 44-room hotel, which opened about a year ago in Clarkdale, is the first hotel outside of the…
We love a good bakery. Walking into one just makes us feel better – with pleasant aromas wafting in the air coupled with the sight of pastries that look as scrumptious as they taste. Fortunately, the…
Textiles are some of our oldest art forms, and the Verde Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild is keeping this long tradition alive. “The purpose of our guild has been to encourage the interest and education and…
Nancy Lattanzi’s influence is all around Sedona. The art in the roundabouts? She’s the force behind them. As the arts and culture specialist with the City of Sedona, she oversees all the city’s arts and culture…
Attractions Jerome Art Center Whenever we drive into Jerome, we always drop by the Jerome Art Center. Located in the Old Jerome High School (the school closed in 1960), the art center features a variety of…
When those temperatures start to climb, we look for hikes that meet two requirements: short and scenic. West Sedona’s Teacup Trail is one of our favorite brief hikes with top-notch views of one of Sedona’s most…
Like many Sedona homeowners, Luis and Aprille Ibarra first fell in love with their home’s sweeping views of the city’s majestic red rocks and surroundings. “The views. That’s the ultimate showstopper of this home,” says Luis….
Arizona wine has made strides in recent years, and there’s even a documentary about a handful of the state’s winemakers. “Vintage Arizona: The Heart of Winemaking” landed on streaming services in early 2025. “We revealed that…
Ann Marinic, owner and founder of CARE Esthetics Sedona, wants women to feel naturally confident in their own skin and founded her holistic med spa in Sedona to help further that mission. “I want to encourage…
West Sedona’s Long Canyon is somewhat of a mirage in Sedona. The trail is long, mostly level and takes you through Sedona’s backcountry. As its moniker implies, this trail is long – about 4.25 miles one…
Spending a day outside at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood enjoying local wine, the scenery and live music is our idea of a perfect spring afternoon. On May 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the spring…
The Baldwin Trail is one of our favorite hidden gems. For one thing, it’s relatively tucked away in the Village of Oak Creek so you can enjoy a fairly secluded hike. For the entire hour we…
The Sedona Yoga Festival is one of the city’s longest standing festivals and made its debut in 2013. In its decade-plus existence, the festival has won awards and even garnered international attention. Sedona and yoga are…
Performing Arts Groups/Artists Sedona Symphony For more than two decades, The Sedona Symphony (formerly the Verde Valley Sinfonietta) has hosted a plethora of world class live orchestral music. Arizona Philharmonic Founded in 2018, Arizona Philharmonic (AZ…
TOUR OPERATORS A Day in the West A Day in the West offers Jeep tours including one that ends at Camp Verde’s Alcantara Vineyards. Alcantara Adventures Camp Verde’s Alcantara Vineyards offers Jeep, horseback, e-bike and winery…
Sedona is hiking mecca with over 200 hiking trails to pick from, but a few trails manage to truly shine. One great example is the 3.3-mile-long Airport Loop Trail. There’s so much to love about this…
Where to Hike Cliffrose Trail The trailhead for the Cliffrose Trail is located just off Mingus Avenue, making it easy to access. This hike is just over one mile long. Expect to take in sweeping views…
Many locals don’t know about this, but there’s a wolf sanctuary that’s just outside of Sedona. Located in Rimrock on roughly three acres, the Sedona Wolf Sanctuary is home to six wolves. The sanctuary has been…
Friends of the Verde River is a Cottonwood-based nonprofit that strives to protect one of the area’s most precious natural resources: the Verde River. The organization has many different programs, but one of the newer offerings…
When the owner of a West Sedona home wanted to remodel her then-new purchase, she enlisted Sedona’s Design Group Architects (now the company is called Design Group Studio) to manage the remodel. The home was taken…
Despite its name, Dry Creek is anything but dry. Depending on how much rainfall we’ve received, it’s completely impassable in some locations. The key to hiking this trail is finding that ideal time when there’s enough…
Arizona residents looking to go skiing on a mountain in the Grand Canyon State really have just two options. Sunrise Park Resort is one of them. Located in Greer, Sunrise Park Resort is the largest ski…
The Sedona International Film Festival is one of Sedona’s most celebrated events. The city’s scenery coupled with its passion for the arts make it an ideal place for a film festival to thrive. Roughly 10,000 people…
AYLA SARNOFF Ayla Sarnoff, the owner and founder of Clarity of Heart Yoga and the Therapeutic Yoga Method, advises people to move to counteract the effects of sitting nearly all day. “One of the main things…
The Fine Art Museum of Sedona has made a major step in its ultimate goal of building a fine arts museum in town. The museum has its very first brick and mortar space. Its first exhibit…
Named after Dale Girdner, who herded cattle in the area in the 1920s, the Girdner Trail connects Yavapai College and the former Sedona Cultural Park with Dry Creek Road via 4.75 miles of interesting and diverse…
Domestic violence is tragically all too common. As many as one in four women and one in seven men have experienced some kind of domestic violence. But there is hope. Locally, the Verde Valley Sanctuary has…
Anyone who’s ever had a mentor can tell you about the importance of having one. Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters is a local offshoot of a national organization that finds adults to mentor young people ages…
Around 3 million people visit Sedona every year, and many of them hike on Sedona’s famed trails. Given that high traffic, it makes total sense that the trails need maintenance. Back in 2013 at a public…
Where To Go Sedona is hiking mecca with more than 200 trails to pick from. The good news for dog owners is that many of those hiking trails are dog friendly. When taking a dog on…
The holidays are mere weeks away, and if you’re searching for an easy jaunt that the whole family do, Cottonwood’s Jail Trail Riverwalk is a perfect hike. Sometimes not everyone is up for – or capable…
Since 1995, members of the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society (NAWS) have gathered nearly every month in Sedona to celebrate the art form of watercolor. Meetings typically consist of a business meeting followed by an artist demonstrating…
To Kin (Desmond) Siu, music has always been about bringing people together. He started playing violin when he was around eight or nine. His elementary school friends were taking lessons and encouraged him to join them….
For the first time in eight years, Arizona has a new state park. Lucky for Northern Arizona residents, it’s in Camp Verde. Meet the Rockin’ River State Park, which opened on Feb. 9. Located on the…
The Kitchen The home’s kitchen received a full remodel. A few factors drove the design of this space: the couple’s love of the great outdoors, simplicity and items that were easy to care for and clean…
The Little Horse Trail is one of our favorite hikes in town for two key reasons – the trail is relatively flat and lets you get up close to Sedona’s famed red rocks. The trail kicks…
Watch a variety of plein air artists interpret Sedona’s breathtaking landscape at the Sedona Plein Air Festival. This marks the twentieth anniversary of the festival and makes this one of the city’s longest-running arts events. Events…
Following a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 39, Jeanine Patten-Coble went on a trip to the beach when she stumbled upon a compound of abandoned homes. “I just literally was physically struck with, ‘Create…
One of Sedona’s longest-running art festivals returns for the second weekend of October. This is the thirty-third year for the Sedona Arts Festival. The festival will see over 100 juried artists displaying their wares outside of…
When we’re searching for an escape that’s not too far from town, we often head to Red Rock State Park. There’s plenty to love about this park. This 286-acre nature preserve located on the southwestern edge…
Michele Sullins is one of Sedona’s major players in the retail and restaurant space. She’s the former owner of Sound Bites Grill and The View Coffee Café, businesses she recently sold. Michele is the current owner…
Educator Richard Sidy (pronounced like “city”) taught for close to 40 years. He started his career in Los Angeles before he and his wife moved to Sedona in 1982. He taught at his own private school,…
Cheryl Barron is a true veteran of the hospitality industry. She started her career in Denver in 1983, where she learned the ins and outs of the hotel business. During her decades in hospitality, she has…
Sipping Arizona wine in the shadow of Sedona’s red rocks at Posse Grounds Park on a late fall day is our idea of a perfect afternoon, and when Sedona WineFest happens on Sept. 28 and 29,…
Rubrix Wines is one of the newest wineries in town and opened its doors in downtown Cottonwood on Jan. 9, 2024. Owner and winemaker at Rubrix Wines, Corey Turnbull, has a long history in the Verde…
The Watters band may be based in Texas, but the band has deep roots in Sedona. Husband and wife team, Daniel and Jenna Watters, were both born and raised in town. They were even on the…
Next time you need a caffeine buzz, consider paying a visit to one of these Sedona coffee shops. Learn more about them below. Enjoy your java. FreeForm Coffee Roasters opened in 2020 and hand roasts all…
Visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Flagstaff in the summer is a great way to cool off and an even better way to check out a historic, scenic monument. We visited this spot last summer…
SANTA CRUZ We kicked off our journey in the coastal city of Santa Cruz. We were charmed by this town’s walkable downtown and historic beach boardwalk. We stayed at the historical West Cliff Inn. The light…
When those scorching summer temperatures arrive, we look for less strenuous hikes to get our nature fix. That’s why we turn to hikes that are short and sweet. And the Schuerman Mountain Trail more than works….
FESTIVALS Festivals abound in Flagstaff in the summer and fall. We’ve rounded up what we consider to be some of the most interesting ones. FLAGSTAFF BEER FESTIVAL When: June 22 Where: Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill…
We typically don’t feature books in the magazine, but every once in a while a book comes out that really captures our attention. “Brave The Wild River” is one of those titles. Flagstaff-based science journalist Melissa…
After 42 years of working in education, Sedona resident Connie Tate started a new career as a children’s book author. She fell in love with reading at a young age. “I can still remember that feeling…
It’s safe to say that there isn’t another house quite like furniture designer Glendon Good’s home in all of Sedona, and maybe even in the world. For starters, it’s perched on top of one of Sedona’s…
Cathedral Rock is a storied Sedona hike. For starters, this impressive red rock formation is one of Sedona’s most recognizable sites. Beyond that, the views are truly spectacular. You’re both up close to the red rocks,…
Drinking Arizona wine outside on a spring day in Cottonwood is our idea of a truly heavenly way to spend an afternoon. Luckily that fantasy comes to life every spring at the Verde Valley Wine Festival,…
Anita Marcus Cover star Anita Marcus is the medical aesthetician behind the business LaserGirl Skincare. She grew up in Oregon, moved to Hawaii for three years and ended up in Sedona in 1995. “I have raised…
Sedona hiking trails can be many things: scenic and peaceful being the two best descriptors that often come to mind. But they’re typically not secluded. If you’re searching for real solitude, you’ll have to venture farther…
Heather Feher has worked in arguably some of the world’s best kitchens, but did not grow up in a food-centric home. She didn’t fall in love with food until she moved to New Orleans for art…
Sometimes when you’re out hiking, you’re searching for a real challenge. A hike that tests your physical and mental limits and offers a great payoff. Bear Mountain is one of those hikes that fits that description…
The name of the nonprofit Meals on Wheels says it all. The local chapter of the national organization delivers meals to those in need, mostly senior citizens, who reside in Sedona. “Some of these people have…
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is returning this spring for its tenth year. The festival had, in the words of its founder, Michael Raney, “humble beginnings.” “We did the first one down at Tlaquepaque with no…
The Sedona International Film Festival is celebrating a big milestone in 2024: The festival is turning 30. Get ready for many events that commemorate the festival’s three decades in existence. “We’re trying to really pull out…
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM BLUE ZONES ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING The keys to living a longer life may involve studying what people who live to be 100 or older know about life. The areas where most…
Getting from one destination to another is something we all do a daily basis, but for some individuals, this can be a real challenge. Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition was created to address this crucial need. “Verde…
When the days are short and the temperatures plunge, we like to explore some of Sedona’s shorter trails, and Boynton Canyon Vista checks all the boxes. The trail leads to a saddle between two red rock…
WHERE TO STAY THE WESTIN RESORT & SPA, PUERTO VALLARTA Arriving at The Westin Resort & Spa – one of the properties that hosted us – feels like an event. You’ll spot a cascading waterfall from…
TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS & SHOPPING VILLAGE Located in the heart of Sedona, it’s fitting that Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is the city’s holiday headquarters. For starters, one of Sedona’s shopping and dining hubs gets all decked…
Huckaby Trail is a favorite hike among locals and tourists alike, and it’s not hard to see why. This Oak Creek Canyon trail offers up views of Sedona’s red rocks and lets you cross one of…
Spending time admiring Sedona’s stunning red rocks is always a good idea, and practicing your golf swings in their shadow is a pleasant way to pass the time. If you’re looking to improve your game, golf…
Following the success of its inaugural year, the Verde Valley Pottery Festival is returning for its second year and will be held at a new location at D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards in Cornville. Potter Ben Roti founded…
If you’re looking to shake up your fitness routine, consider exercising up in Flagstaff’s ponderosa pine forest. Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course offers three different courses high up in the tree tops that visitors can tackle. Guests…
Thunder Mountain Trail is a gem of a hike that meanders along the base of its namesake, also known as Capitol Butte or Grey Mountain. These trails in West Sedona are some of our favorites, especially…
Every fall, the Sedona Arts Festival brings over 100 juried artists to the baseball fields of the Sedona Red Rock Jr. Sr. High School. This is one of Sedona’s longest running events (at 32 years and…
