There is an old saying,

"God created the Grand Canyon, but he lives in Sedona."

One trip to Sedona and you know it has to be true.

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Stop By And Visit Elote Cafe In Sedona Arizona



If you have ever been to Sedona and were lucky enough eat at Elote Cafe, then you know that these long lines can be expected. But, the good news is that it is well worth the wait.
 
They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner but they are not open on Sunday or Monday so make sure you plan to visit Elote Cafe on another day.
 
When we were there last, the table next to us were locals from Prescott. They drive all that way so that should tell you how good their food really is.
 
Fresh ingredients are used for every entree which is made from scratch. Everything from the appetizers to the mojitos to our main dish was out of this world. This is by far, the best restaurant in Sedona. It is a must do when in Sedona.
 
We had Forrest as our waiter and he is just an amazing guy who will make your experience at Elote, that much better. He is so accommodating, professional and very knowledgeable of every entree'.
 
Here is a video so you can meet  Chef Jeff Smedstad, owner who creates all the magical meals at Elote Cafe.



Here is their website if you want to take a look at their menu.   http://www.elotecafe.com/sedona-chef.html

Discover Tlaquepaque Winter/Spring 2014 Magazine Online

Keep up on what is going on in Sedona's most famous shopping enclave while you are away. Discover Tlaquepaque's quarterly magazine is available online  and it's free!
 
If you haven't been to Sedona yet, then you are about to be introduced to  Sedona's coolest, historic shopping, yet eclectic shopping experience.
 
For those of you who have walked the  meandering paths of Tlaquepaque then you know what a wonderful, magical place it really is.
 
Grab a nice cup of coffee, put your feet up and sit back and  enjoy!                      
 

Sedona Oak Creek Canyon Fire by Slide Rock State Park

Here is a video about the fires in Oak Creek Canyon.  Please be careful out there and stay safe.

Today's (5-22-2014) update the fire has burned 4,000+ acres.

Sedona & Jerome Full HD Video

This great video was made by BluZasta for a handicapped friend of his and luckily, we are all able to jump in the car with him and go on this tour with him. It's raw and authentic but you will really enjoy this video of not only Sedona, Arizona but also the quirky little mountain town of  Jerome, Arizona.  The video is shot in HD and is almost 1 hr long. Enjoy! 
 
 

Annual and Vacation Rentals in Sedona, Arizona

We have had many people contact us regarding places to find both annual rentals and vacation rentals in Sedona, Arizona and the surrounding areas so I thought we would post a few places that you could check out first.
 
Locally for long term annual Sedona rentals I would take a look at these two companies; 
 
 
 
Both of them are local and would know the area well. If you are considering relocating or retiring in Sedona, Arizona, then renting might be a good option for you.
 
Putting your things in storage back home and renting a home for 6 months or a year would be a good way for you to get your feet wet before taking the plunge and moving your household goods and buying a home in Sedona.
 
Also, some of you have expressed interest in renting a home as a vacation rental. The two above property management companies might be able to help you with that as well but my "go to" place to find vacation rentals is;
 
 
You will be able browse the ads that are directly from the owner and compare prices and look at the interior/exterior pictures as well as look at their calendar.
 
Contact information should be listed for each owner.
 
Whether you are coming for vacation or planning a testing the waters and renting long term, you will not be disappointed with any of these sites. I have personally used all the sites myself and easily would like to recommend them to you.
 
Enjoy!

Want to Retire in Sedona, Arizona But Have A Limited Budget?






I have had many people write and ask about retiring in Sedona, Arizona but thought it was out of their reach.
Well, don't cross out that idea just yet. You might want to consider taking a look at Sunset Village in Sedona, Arizona. It sits right in the heart of Sedona and is only minutes to the Sedona Airport.
Before I go any further, I just want you to know, I do not work for Sunset Village, nor were we paid by them for advertising.  This is just the information we have been able to gather for you.
This wonderful, affordable 55+ Manufactured Home Park is home to 194 homes. The entire community covers 32 acres and features a community center, heated pool, fitness center with  treadmills,etc. and beautiful Sedona views. When the pool is open, they offer water aerobic classes on M-W-F.
Also, they just completed a major renovation  of almost $100,000 to redo all the roads. So the community is not only beautiful and well maintained, but has brand new roads!
Sunset Village does not allow any subleasing which is great. That way they can control who lives in the community. You won't have to worry about your neighbor moving out and some shady characters moving in. The management can protect it's community better by doing it this way.
They do allow cats. You are allowed 2 cats or one dog.  Dogs are welcomed as long as they are no bigger than a Cocker Spaniel.
Also, it is age restricted at 55 but if a spouse or a care giver is 41 or over, they are allowed to live there too. The owner of the home has to be 55 yrs old.
The lot fees are $495.(trash included)  I asked about utilities,etc. and Gene, the assistant manager told me that all the utilities,etc. and the lot rent ended up costing approximately $774 a month total. (that includes the lot rent). So, even if you are on a fixed income, Sedona Village makes living in  Sedona, Arizona affordable for you.
Gene was such a nice guy and was so helpful. He answered all my questions and wasn't trying to rush me off the phone.
Feel free to give him a call if you have any other questions I didn't give you the answers for.

You can see in the map below where Sunset Village is located in Sedona.
Sunset Village is located at 205 South Sunset Dr. Sedona, Arizona 86336
Phone: 928-282-4593



Here is a link to a few homes in Sedona Village that are for sale.

Sedona, Arizona Selected As One Of The Top 20 Towns In The US



Smithsonian Magazine has selected Sedona Arizona as one of the top 20 small towns in the US. It came in a respectable 8th place, which I would beg to differ on that ranking but still it made the cut!
 
For some reason, the first thing they mentioned the psychics and healers first and even mention talked about one "healer" who has his patients lay down under his piano while  he plays.....Hmmm? 
 
Eventually the  article did go on to talk about the one thing we all love about Sedona and that is the beautiful scenery with all the amazing red rock formations, buttes, mesas, canyons, caves, spires, and the amazing art, hiking, shopping and great dining.
 
You can check out the article here and see who were the other towns that also were selected:
 

Hiking In Sedona Arizona With Mr Sedona~ Full Hike To Broken Arrow

I found this informative video of the full hike with Mr. Sedona on the Broken Arrow hike. The hike is great and Mr. Sedona always shares all of his knowledge but the women who was filming it is a bit annoying.
 
I would have preferred if she focused the camera on the views more than on Mr. Sedona climbing and asking interview questions about him instead of asking about the trail or about Sedona.
 
At any rate, it is great to be able to sit back and enjoy a Sedona hike!
 

Sedona, Arizona Offers Amazing Hiking For All

With all of the awesome Sedona Arizona activities there are to choose from, hiking might just be the one that people enjoy the most. Sedona, Arizona has 103 hiking trails to choose from. All of which promise to offer views that will take your breath away. Spires, buttes, caves, canyons, mesa's and  streams await you. Hike through the same historical paths that the Indians and pioneers walked on in days gone by. Whether you  want to take a leisurely stroll or  are up for an extreme rigorous adventure, Sedona, Arizona hikes offer something for everyone.

Here is the hiking guide written by editor Of Arizona Highways

Arizona Highways Hiking Guide

Extreme Fun in Sedona, Arizona ~Rent A Tom Car

 
 
 
 
 
If you are planning a trip to Sedona, Arizona and you are a more of a thrills like of person, then I have found the perfect thing for you to check out.
 
Have you ever heard of a "Tom Car"? Well, Mark Ranges from Sedona Off-Road Center calls them a "golf cart on steroids". These things are a blast.
 
Sure you can go on a hummer tour or a jeep tour, but these crazy Tom Car's you actually are behind the wheel.
 
You get to set the pace. Are you a extreme sports kind of guy,  then you can kick it up to your level. If you are a more conservative driver, you can drive along at the speed you feel comfortable with. It is your decision and you can make it as crazy or as serene as you want.
 
Pack up the family, pack your cooler and enjoy seeing the red rocks like you have never seen before.
 
If you want to give Mark a call, you can find him here : http://sedonaoffroadcenter.com/

Looking For Things To Do With Kids In Sedona, Arizona?

We have people email us often asking us what they can do with kids in Sedona, Arizona. Well, there is a lot more than most people can even imagine. Yesterday we featured Slide Rock Park and you can check out another video right here if  you missed it.  It will cost you between $10-$20 per vehicle for a fun filled day at a natural water park. Go as early as you can as the parking lot will fill up quickly.
Slide Rock Park Video

Another great idea is take them biking. There are trails for hiking and biking everywhere and if you didn't bring your bikes, don't worry. You can rent them and have a biking adventure that you will never forget.
Is you want to plan out your bike trips, here is a good site that has biking trails in Sedona. There will be trails for the inexperienced as well as the experienced trail riders.
 Mountain Bike Riding Sedona



Also, if you would prefer to take a guided tour with an experienced guide, Hermosa Tours offers a variety of tours to fit your life style and needs. Check them out!

Take Your Kids To Sedona, Arizona's Slide Rock Park



Many people want to plan a trip to Sedona but are worried about what to do to keep their kids occupied. Well, there is a lot to do for kids, especially if your kids love hiking and exploring the canyons and forests. 
 
You can take them for a trip to Oak Creek Canyon to hike, picnic and cool off on a hot day. Oak Creek Canyon is known for Slide Rock  Park and I guarantee every body will have fun spending a day at Slide Rock Park! It's about $10 per vehicle to get in for the day. Where else can you spend  the day with your entire family having a picnic and at a natural water park for $10?
 

Downloadable map of Slide Rock Park

 
 

Sedona, Arizona Red Rock Web Cam

Come back often for the live Sedona Red Rock Web Cam. I keep this on my tool bar so I can checkout the views. If it's black, it is because it is still night in Arizona. Come back during day light and you can see the beautiful red rocks, live.
 
 

Sedona's Painted Javelina's On Parade In Sedona




These colorful Javelina's are celebrating their 9th birthday!
 
 They were first introduced in 2005 as an answer to Chicago's Cows on Parade. They were to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sedona's Art Festival but were also used as a distraction to the road work that was beginning at the time.
Local companies were asked to donate $2,000 and would be able to  decorate the Mom and baby and display them outside their offices or stores.  There are 50 of these delightful little Javelina pairs in Sedona and they have been dedicated as an "Arizona Treasure".
 
Here is some more info on the Javelina's on Parade.
 

Living With Javelina's In Sedona Arizona

Source: Javelina's Cantina


Javelina's are a little mammal that are actually a peccary. They normally come out at night to look around for seeds and berries,etc. eat. They have bad vision but their sense of smell is what guides them.
 
They are a herding animal and stick with their family. I have never noticed them to be aggressive but if cornered, I am sure they would be aggressive for sure.
 
I found this video with great up close pictures. It is good to be able to see them at this close range but you might have to ignore the lady taking the video. She is admittedly talking in a made up language and after while it gets quite annoying. 
 
 



 
Here are a couple other Javelina video's
 
 

 
 
 

Camping And RV's In Sedona, Arizona

Not everyone who visits Sedona, Arizona wants to stay in a hotel, a resort or a bed and breakfast. Some want to get closer to nature and camp.
 
Camping can be pitching a tent or it can mean staying in a luxurious RV but no matter which form of camping is right for you, Sedona and Verde Valley can satisfy everyone.
 
Since hotels and resorts can get a bit pricey at times, camping might be a good option for large families or just frugal campers.
 
I've gathered some links for camping information for you and there is a video by travel experts  Nikki and Jason Wynn who will take you on a tour of the Verde Valley Campgrounds & RV Park.
 

 
 
Additional links: