Sedona Favorite Tips by madamx Top 5 Page for this destination

Will the Real Sedona Please Stand Up?

Fondest memory: When we arrived in Sedona, we were not prepared for the crass commercialism, having to dodge timeshare salesmen, and the general attitude of "who cares? the next tourist is coming along". I had been prepared for the fact that Sedona would be touristy, but this place in my mind, was much worse than the Grand Canyon. Maybe because it isn't a National Monument.

For example, upon turning on the tv at our inn, we saw a "information channel". Eager to find out more about the area, we soon discovered the programming was a never-ending loop of commercials for the local Sedona businesses. We splurged on a nice B and B, where we ended up feeling like another number, and where some of the more obviously wealthier clientele just stared at us. That place was a mistake. Already disappointed on our first day there, I wanted to know where are the "real people" of Sedona lived. Our guide to the Hopi Mesas told me that most of them live in Cottonwood, about 1/2 an hour away. "How can normal people afford to live here?" I asked him. "Oh, there's trailer courts here" he answered cheerfully.

All I can say is, be forewarned, and try to get all that you can out of this astonishingly beautiful area. Get to know the REAL Sedona. I recommend staying in or near the village of Oak Creek, where you don't have to fight the traffic nearly as much, and the crowds are somewhat thinner, and where it's less commercial. Get out into the red rocks and explore and hike. Go see the "off the beaten path" sites like the Palatki ruins. Try to absorb as much nature as possible, before the next tourist comes along.

Those Red, Red, Rocks Photography Review

Favorite thing: The red color of the rocks is created from layers of Hematite that "rust" when exposed to water or snow.

You will find that you can get the best color in your photos if you take pictures in the early morning, or late afternoon into evening, othewise, colors tend to look brown or washed out. I found color enhancing software handy for my midday shots.