Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Day 1: Friday - Scottsdale - Arrival in Scottsdale 3. Day 2: Saturday - Brunch in Scottsdale and Drive to Sedona - Exploring Old Town and Brunch at Farm & Craft - Drive to Tlaquepaque and The Chai Spot - Checking into Amara Resort Spa - Evening in Sedona Downtown and Dinner at Cucina Rustica 4. Day 3: Sunday- Devil's Bridge Hike - Early Start for Devil's Bridge - The Hike to Devil's Bridge - Lunch at The Cress on Oak Creek and Relaxation - Alternative Plans: Page Springs Vineyard and Christmas Eve Dinner 5. Day 4: Monday - Last Moments in Sedona - Breakfast at The View Coffee Cafe - Return Journey to LA --- Introduction Two years back, we visited Sedona while celebrating my birthday in Scottsdale. The short trip left us wanting more, so after two years, we finally made plans to return. Our four-day adventure, spanning from Friday to Monday, was filled with breathtaking views, culinary delights, and a memorable hike to Devil's Bridge. Day 1: Friday - Scottsdale Our journey started with a late arrival in Scottsdale, where we enjoyed a drink at a local bar and called it a night. PS: Traveling in a Tesla, it's essential to pay attention to the charging alerts from the Tesla monitor, otherwise you might end up in a ruckus, like we did. After Indio, the first charging station is in Ehrenberg, AZ. So, Go prepared, LOL! Day 2: Saturday - Brunch in Scottsdale and Drive to Sedona The following morning, we explored the Old Town for a bit and enjoyed a delightful brunch at Farm & Craft. Afterward, we began our journey on a scenic drive to Tlaquepaque, experiencing the beauty of the landscape even in the rain. Our first top in Tlaquepaque was The Chai Spot, an authentic chai spot, a must visit. However, be patient, as it gets busy, and you might have to wait for 30 mins to get a cup of tea. We then checked into our hotel, Amara Resort Spa, a beautiful property with a creek in the backyard. We grabbed a drink at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen, a restaurant within the hotel. While it was raining a bit, the sun suddenly emerged, creating a heavenly scene by the creek. Little ducks floated by, basking in the sunlight; it was one of the best views I've ever seen. The advantage was that the sun sets late, around 5:30 PM, allowing ample time to explore. We headed to downtown Sedona, which felt like a dreamy, cozy town on that Christmas weekend. The rain had accentuated the beauty of the mountains, making it a truly picturesque sight. For dinner, we opted for Cucina Rustica, an upscale Italian restaurant in the area. The food was fantastic—rated it 10/10—with live music and a diverse wine menu that we thoroughly enjoyed. Day 3: Sunday - Devil's Bridge Hike The next morning, we began at 6 and arrived at Devil's Bridge parking by 7. Parking there later can be challenging, so to avoid trouble, it's best to wake up early and secure your spot. Parking is free. We commenced our hike at 7:10, navigating through rocky stairs amidst a foggy jungle. Although various websites mention different distances, it was definitely close to 6 miles of a round trip. The path gradually inclined uphill, growing steeper as we advanced. While the upward climb offered beautiful scenery, Devil's Bridge remained a distance away. The final stretch of the hike involved a challenging 400-foot climb.Arriving at the destination was quite something, a beautiful sandstone bridge, unlike its name, its truly heavenly. Later, we returned to our room, relaxed for a bit, and headed to The Cress on Oak Creek for lunch. The afternoon passed slowly, allowing us to appreciate the views of the creek. Originally planning a pink jeep tour, it was fully booked with limited availability due to Christmas Eve, and we were also a little tired from the hike. So instead, we visited Page Springs Winery instead, discovering some good wine, and they don’t sell it outside Arizona and that they're open 365 days a year. We then enjoyed a Christmas Eve dinner at the Amara Resort before calling it a night! Day 4: Monday - Last Moments in Sedona
The following morning, we stopped by The View Coffee Cafe, akin to a Starbucks but offering fantastic views, before driving back home! Hope you enjoyed reading the article, follow me on IG for more content @kirankkaur
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