Also a solo female traveler, thinking Sedona.

[Anonymous]

4 nights beginning or mid- December. I like hiking, spa, food, shopping (in no particular order). Would much appreciate recommendations on where to stay and things to do. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Cold but pretty. Enchantment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cold but pretty. Enchantment.

OP here. Thank you! I was looking at it as well.

[Anonymous]

I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

OP here: Thank you! I will be flying into PHX. Do you recommend I get a rental and drive there?

[Anonymous]

Yes, you'll need a rental car in Sedona.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

NP. What kind of solo hiking did you do? Were there others on the trail? This sounds lovely but I’m a little nervous about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

NP. What kind of solo hiking did you do? Were there others on the trail? This sounds lovely but I’m a little nervous about it.

There's not a dangerous person lurking around every corner on a hiking trail, and the trails themselves are fairly easy and not dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you'll need a rental car in Sedona.

DP. FWIW I researched a car free vacation in Sedona and it is possible. You have to take a shuttle from the airport and pick a hotel near hiking trails/walkable. There is also a trolley tour. I’d probably do some hikes with a guide/driver as well (because I’m a bit nervous to hike alone).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you'll need a rental car in Sedona.

+1 I also really like Arabella.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

NP. What kind of solo hiking did you do? Were there others on the trail? This sounds lovely but I’m a little nervous about it.

There's not a dangerous person lurking around every corner on a hiking trail, and the trails themselves are fairly easy and not dangerous.

I’m less nervous about people than getting lost etc. For those of us used to “hiking” in Rock Creek Park it’s a reasonable question…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

OP here: Thank you! I will be flying into PHX. Do you recommend I get a rental and drive there?

lol, yes you need a rental car. It's Arizona. They don't do public transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

NP. What kind of solo hiking did you do? Were there others on the trail? This sounds lovely but I’m a little nervous about it.

There's not a dangerous person lurking around every corner on a hiking trail, and the trails themselves are fairly easy and not dangerous.

This. Sedona is fairly safe to hike alone even as a woman. The danger is just hiking alone and being able to contact someone in case of emergency. I live in Phoenix and hike alone a lot and I feel comfortable alone in Sedona.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Sedona, went there twice solo in the past year including mid December last year. I am not interested in spas or really expensive hotels so no Enchantment for me. Arabella was fine - excellent location. Also like the residence inn.

Weather was excellent - got early start on the trails… needed hat, jacket and gloves but by 10 am, all that was off. So just make sure to layer.

I’ve done tons of hikes in Sedona, including the most popular ones.

Shopping imo was disappointing but I’m not into expensive fine art or healing crystals.

NP. What kind of solo hiking did you do? Were there others on the trail? This sounds lovely but I’m a little nervous about it.

There's not a dangerous person lurking around every corner on a hiking trail, and the trails themselves are fairly easy and not dangerous.

This. Sedona is fairly safe to hike alone even as a woman. The danger is just hiking alone and being able to contact someone in case of emergency. I live in Phoenix and hike alone a lot and I feel comfortable alone in Sedona.

OP: any particular trail recommendations?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP from 17:59.

I've hiked everywhere solo in Sedona. Even in the off-season (december), there were always people around. That said, I use AllTrails to make sure I stay on the trail Because sometimes it isn't clear.

Definitely do some research on the hiking shuttle bus because you'll need it to reach the popular trailheads

I recommend these hikes --
Devils Bridge: Very popular, but it's for a reason. You will have to stand in line at the top to get that iconic photo of you on the bridge, but everyone friendly and no one is going to sneak off with your camera and phone when you have them take a photo of you.

Cathedral Rock: VERY popular. But there is scrambling on the trail and about half the people end up turning around at that point. I almost did, as I hate rock scrambling. But give it a shot; if you make it up to the top, it's worth it and it's so much easier on the way down.

Seven Sacred Pools/Brins Mesa: A longer loop hike, make sure to do it clockwise. A sketchy stretch of road to the trailhead though, with large chunks of upheaved pavement chunks and gigantic potholes. I was glad I was driving a 4x4 but technically you don't need it.

Doe Mountain: Quick hike to the top of a mesa with stunning views.

Bear Mountain: Definitely a challenge with some rock scrambling, which I hate. I'm glad I did it but probably wouldn't do it again.

Subway Cave: LOVED it. Flat pretty much the whole way out there, you need to watch for the turnoff to the cave as it's not an official trail. Rock scrambling required to get up.

Little Horse/Chicken Point: Takes you to a spot where the pink jeep tours all go. Pretty cool, easy enough hike.