Phoenix/Sedona

[cyinne]

My wife and I have booked a trip to the Arizona area for the first part of February. We have a Vrbo just East if Cottonwood. Given the time of year what are some of the must-do’s in the area. How about places to eat? I have a few things planned out but nothing set in stone in case we need to switch things around. Will be there for 4 days.

TIA

 

[VeloClone]

Halfway between Cottonwood and Sedona is Red Rock State Park. It is a nice diversion for a couple of hours to hike around the park. It is just off of 89A.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

Also heading to Arizona first part of February.

I plan to golf…. A lot.

 

[VeloClone]

Also heading to Arizona first part of February.

I plan to golf…. A lot.

Don't go chasing balls into the desert. We had a very effective visual reminder of this when we went golfing at Cabo del Sol in Cabo. We were heading to the driving range to warm up and there was a dead rattler right on the cart path.

On a side note I am disappointed to learn that what was the Ocean course at Cabo del Sol is now called the Cove Club course and is exclusive to members. The last four holes on that course are right on the ocean and an amazing experience.

 

[TheJackWePack5]

Don't go chasing balls into the desert. We had a very effective visual reminder of this when we went golfing at Cabo del Sol in Cabo. We were heading to the driving range to warm up and there was a dead rattler right on the cart path.

On a side note I am disappointed to learn that what was the Ocean course at Cabo del Sol is now called the Cove Club course and is exclusive to members. The last four holes on that course are right on the ocean and an amazing experience.

They usually do a pretty good job of reminding patrons to be cautious!

 

[DFWClone]

Hot air balloon ride, hiking, golf, the pink jeep tour. The Grand Canyon isn’t too far away, could be a good day trip for ya.

IMO Sedona doesn’t have the best restaurant scene but there’s some solid places to eat for sure.

FYI it gets cold and snows in Sedona. I know it’s not Iowa/Midwest kind of cold but it gets cold & snows in Sedona. Many people think it’s like Phoenix/Scottsdale there, it is not.

 

[Saul_T]

Jerome is just up the hill from Sedona. It's an old mining town that's got a lot of cool stores and restaurants with a great view of the valley. It's also got a ton of tasting rooms as Arizona wine is growing quickly. The frontman of TOOL/A Perfect Circle/Puscifer has his tasting room and winery in Jerome. Keep going to Cottonwood and there are some great restaurants and views along the way.

 

[VeloClone]

Hot air balloon ride, hiking, golf, the pink jeep tour. The Grand Canyon isn’t too far away, could be a good day trip for ya.

IMO Sedona doesn’t have the best restaurant scene but there’s some solid places to eat for sure.

FYI it gets cold and snows in Sedona. I know it’s not Iowa/Midwest kind of cold but it gets cold & snows in Sedona. Many people think it’s like Phoenix/Scottsdale there, it is not.

Right. My daughter loves cacti and was on the lookout for them. Didn't see any of them of note until south of Sedona. That's a pretty good indication that the area gets some decidedly non-Southwestern weather. Whatever that means.

 

[srjclone]

Plenty of awesome stuff to see around there.

We did a Pink Jeep Tour, saw Montezuma Castle National Monument, short jaunt up to Flagstaff or Prescott for more food options etc. But it's beautiful almost everywhere up there so I'm sure you'll find plenty to do/see.

Sedona specific Trails/Things to see:
Cathedral Rock
Devil's Bridge
Airport Mesa
Boynton Canyon (longer hike)

 

[DFWClone]

Forgot to mention. A friendly tip, book your rental car ASAP and confirm your reservation a couple of times. You are visiting Arizona/Phoenix/Sedona during a very busy/touristy time of the year and getting a rental car can create issues. We have had friends fly in and even though they booked a rental car, they weren’t able to get the car.

 

[JW3]

There are some good wineries in northern Arizona
Page Springs
Caduceus - owned by Maynard of Tool
Javelina Leap
Verde Valley Wines

 

[Sevey]

Also heading to Arizona first part of February.

I plan to golf…. A lot.

My wife and I are also going to be in Arizona first 2 weeks of February. Have Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Waste Management Open on our to do list. Make sure to have Cyclone gear on in case we run into fellow Cyclone travelers!

 

[dmclone]

Wren House brewing, Los Favoritos has a good/cheap breakfast burrito, Trevor's liquor has a great selection and you can pull it off the shelf and drink it right there.

 

[livinthedream]

Rent a utv. Awesome and fun, they just give you a map and turn you loose. There are some pretty challenging trails, gets your heart racing. ( Talking Sedona)

 

[TheJackWePack5]

My wife and I are also going to be in Arizona first 2 weeks of February. Have Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Waste Management Open on our to do list. Make sure to have Cyclone gear on in case we run into fellow Cyclone travelers!

That’s on my list to bring along!

We will be there the week before the WMO and I am bummed about that, can’t even play the stadium course the week before.

It’s really tough to decide courses to play, that’s for sure.

 

[shagcarpetjesus]

You won’t see rattlers out this time of year. It gets down into the 40s at night so they are hibernating. You usually don’t start to see them out and about until late March/April.

 

[cyinne]

Also heading to Arizona first part of February.

I plan to golf…. A lot.

I’d love to do a bit of golfing just don’t want to haul our clubs out there. Is there places to rent good clubs for a day?

 

[shagcarpetjesus]

Since you’re staying in Cottonwood, I’d suggest going to Out of Africa Wildlife Park if you are into the animal/zoo thing.

Arizona Wildlife Safari Park | Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Discover the beauty of the wild at Out of Africa Wildlife Park. Our interactive animal encounters and thrilling shows provide a unique experience for visitors of all ages.

outofafricapark.com

They have a zoo section with a variety of animals, but they tend to specialize in large cats (lions, tigers, etc) and have an interesting show where the trainers get into a pen with some of the juvenile cats and teach you about their natural predatory behavior. It’s funny how much the way an ordinary house cat hunts a fuzzy ball down the hall is basically identical to the way a young lion plays.

They also have a safari section of the park where you ride through the desert in large off road vehicles but they have all sorts of roaming African animals in there. Ostriches, wildebeest, impala, but the giraffe are the best. They will come over to the vehicles and stick their heads down into the back so people can feed them.

 

[HFCS]

Hot air balloon ride, hiking, golf, the pink jeep tour. The Grand Canyon isn’t too far away, could be a good day trip for ya.

IMO Sedona doesn’t have the best restaurant scene but there’s some solid places to eat for sure.

FYI it gets cold and snows in Sedona. I know it’s not Iowa/Midwest kind of cold but it gets cold & snows in Sedona. Many people think it’s like Phoenix/Scottsdale there, it is not.

I backpacked Grand Canyon twice last late Nov and late Feb. First time to the bottom and up, second time the whole thing rim to rim to rim.

The climate changes fast a lot of places I hike but nowhere like that. The top was frigid winter temps. A mile down just 15-20 minutes into hiking would be comfortable 40s/50s-ish, the bottom 7-8 miles down the trail was like a Caribbean island with perfect beaches on the emerald green river with 75 degree daytime sun. Unreal. Top was dangerously cold to overnight camp, bottom I needed a sleeping bag at night but hardly any winter clothes.

I don't think the top rim is ever any worse than Iowa winters, but it doesn't take long to hike into warmer weather as long as that first mile isn't icy.

 

[FallOf81]

Jerome is just up the hill from Sedona. It's an old mining town that's got a lot of cool stores and restaurants with a great view of the valley. It's also got a ton of tasting rooms as Arizona wine is growing quickly. The frontman of TOOL/A Perfect Circle/Puscifer has his tasting room and winery in Jerome. Keep going to Cottonwood and there are some great restaurants and views along the way.

I'll second this!