Sedona: A Work Trip Turned Weekend Adventure – Red Rocks, Epic Hikes, and Great Finds

Sedona wasn’t originally on my radar until a work trip took me to Phoenix. With Sedona only about 1.5 hours north, it was an easy decision to extend the trip. My friends flew in from Dallas to meet me on Friday, and we hit the road to Sedona. They grabbed a rental car at the airport and started the drive. From stunning trails, new friends, and great food, here’s a breakdown of our Sedona adventure:

Packing List for Sedona

To make the most of your Sedona adventure, here’s a recommended packing list:

• Hiking Gear: Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes (avoid open-toed shoes like Chaco’s), moisture-wicking socks, and a lightweight backpack.

• Clothing: Layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons

• Accessories: Sunglasses, a hat (Tilley if you know, you know), sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.

• Tech Essentials: Phone with offline maps (AllTrails is helpful but not always reliable), a power bank, and a camera for capturing the views.

• Snacks & Hydration: Energy bars, trail mix, electrolyte packets, and plenty of water.

• Miscellaneous: a headlamp for sunset hikes or early starts, and a small first aid kit.

Day 1 Birthing Cave Hike

Birthing Cave Hike

To ease into Sedona’s hiking scene, we started with the Birthing Cave Hike. Located at the Long Canyon Trailhead, this 2-mile trail was a perfect introduction—quick, easy, and offering some great views. It took us about an hour, making it a great way to get started.

To end the day, we stopped by Whole Foods and picked up some pre-seasoned meats, vegetables, and potatoes. Our Airbnb had a grill in the back, so the boys and I kicked back with beers and dinner.

Day 2: Devil's Bridge, Subway Cave and Cathedral Rock

Devil's Bridge

This was the highlight of our Sedona trip. We started early, but parking was already a challenge. If you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend getting there by 8 AM to avoid the rush.

There are multiple ways to get to Devil’s Bridge, depending on where you park. We picked the Mescal Trail, starting at the Mescal Trailhead. If you search "Mescal Car Park" on Google Maps, it’s a decent-sized lot with the trailhead on the other end. The trail itself is primarily flat and rocky, but once you get closer to the bridge, there’s a steep incline with steps.

Once at the bridge, there’s a line of hikers waiting to take the iconic photos on the ledge. Surprisingly, the ledge isn’t as intimidating as it looks. The three of us felt comfortable standing on it and even sitting for photos.

While there, we witnessed a proposal! I was able to grab a few shots and later shared them with the newly engaged couple—such a cool moment to be a part of.

My biggest regret on this trail was wearing Chaco’s. Coming off a work trip, I didn’t have room to pack hiking boots and thought Chaco’s would save space. With the trail being mostly gravel, dust, and small rocks, I quickly felt little rocks between my feet and the sole. After the hike, the guys and I swung by Sedona Outdoors and picked up a new pair of boots. My current pair was already splitting, so I didn’t feel too guilty about the purchase.

Pisa Lisa

We had driven past Pisa Lisa a few times and, after tackling Devil’s Bridge on an empty stomach, we were more than ready for a good meal. We finally stopped in, and it definitely hit the spot.

Between the three of us, we ordered two pizzas, which turned out to be more than enough—plenty of leftovers to take back. The crust was crispy, the toppings were fresh, and after a long hike, this meal felt well-earned. If you’re craving pizza in Sedona, this place is worth a stop.

Subway Cave Hike

This hike wasn’t even on our list until Rohan suggested it. It turned out to be the longest trail we did, although most of it was relatively flat until the steep incline at the end.

To start, head to the Boynton Canyon Trailhead—you can even put “Subway Cave” into Google Maps to find it. There was plentiful street parking even mid-day when we started. A key tip: about 300 feet before Google tells you to turn, look for a tree with a curved branch, referred to as the Alligator Tree—this marks the turn-off for the cave.

Unfortunately, this was one of the few times AllTrails wasn’t much help.

The final stretch to the cave is tough, with a 60-degree incline, so wear good shoes with grip. The effort is worth it—the Subway Cave photos were some of my favorites from the trip. It’s a busy spot with plenty of hikers, so take your time and enjoy the incredible views.

Cathedral Rock at Sunset

If you’ve ever Googled Sedona, you’ve probably seen photos of Cathedral Rock. I read that it’s best to go during sunset, and it did not disappoint.

I underestimated this hike. While it’s a short distance, the incline is steep, and I definitely got a little nervous at times. But I powered through to reach the top, and the sunset view was breathtaking. I rushed ahead of Rohan and Andrew to catch the perfect photo and ended up making a new friend. One thing I love about traveling is meeting new people and following their journeys on Instagram. He was solo tripping Sedona and later joined us for mocktails and dinner.

Heading back down before it got completely dark was a good call—it made navigating the steep incline much easier. This hike is a must-do, but be prepared for a bit of a challenge.

Day 3: Heading Home with Full Bellies

The Chai Spot

While exploring Sedona, we came across The Chai Spot, which serves light Indian snacks along with Kashmiri Chai and Traditional Cardamom Chai. The Kashmiri Chai was thick and buttery—delicious, but a bit heavy for me. The Cardamom Chai was my favorite, though I drank it a little too quickly and burned my mouth. Both are worth trying if you’re in the area. A pleasant surprise—our new friend from Cathedral Rock joined us here.

The Sandwich Spot in Phoenix On our way back to Phoenix, we stopped by The Sandwich Spot, a small mom-and-pop sandwich shop with plenty of options. It was the perfect stop before heading to the airport. The sandwiches were fresh and flavorful—a great way to wrap up the trip. Final Thoughts: Sedona turned out to be a perfect side trip from Phoenix. From iconic hikes like Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock to hidden gems like the Subway Cave, it’s a place full of adventure and breathtaking views. Whether you’re looking for challenging trails, incredible sunsets, or just some great food, Sedona has something for everyone.

Stay tuned for more adventures—this was definitely one for the books!