I just got back from the most INCREDIBLE bachelorette party that my best gals planned for me! Every detail was absolutely perfect. And since I got about 100 DM’s asking for what we did, I think a Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary is in order.
Bachelorette parties are a fine balance planning-wise. You need some activities planned so there’s at least one or two activities, but not so jam packed that you never have time to relax, hang out, and play it by ear. My besties Sam and Catilin of course got the balance spot on.
I figured I just have to share our perfect Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary (plus a few extra ideas!) in case any of you are planning a trip out there soon.
Quick Stop in Scottsdale
While Sedona does have a small airport, there were no direct flights from San Diego. We also had a number of gals flying in from the East Coast. So we decided to fly into Phoenix, which is a big airport with lots of direct flight options per day. Since Phoenix is about a 2 hour drive from Sedona, and we landed at 9am, we had some time to kill.
First stop on the bachelorette: Pool Day at The Saguaro Hotel.
Pool Day at The Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.
Our trip was in mid-June, unfortunately during a very unseasonal heatwave, so it was HOT. To stay cool while we waited until our 4pm check-in, we decided to head to the Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale and hang by the pool.
This hotel is SO CUTE! Bright colors, mid-century design, and girly vibes galore, this is a perfect first stop on your Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary.
We rented a cabana for the day and it was totally worth it to stay cool for the day. We spent 4-5 hours hanging out, having some festive drinks and tasty eats. Our favorite cocktails were the Tropical Hydration and the frozen watermelon margarita, and we really liked the shredded chicken tacos.
Some tips: if you have a smaller group, just getting day passes may be a more affordable option. But it can be hard to get shade if the pool is crowded, so keep that in mind!
Here’s some pricing info:
Next stop: Sedona
Sedona
After spending a lovely few hours at the pool, we hopped in the big Expedition we rented and drove all eight girls out to Sedona. The drive is about two hours, and traffic can get bad on a Friday, so make a good playlist and be ready for it to be a bit slower than expected.
Where to stay in Sedona
We rented the most incredible AirBnB in Sedona. I truly think getting a house together is key to a successful Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary. A big house together allows for a central meeting place, easy hanging with the whole group, and flexibility as to whether you want to go out for meals, get takeout, or cook at home.
Our AirBnB: Iconic Mid-Century Home
This home far exceeded our expectations. With a main house and a spacious guest house, you could easily fit 12 people here, so it was very comfortable for all eight of us girls. Here are some pictures of this gorgeousness!
If you want all the photos or to book it yourself, this is the full AirBnB listing.
Some things to note: the hosts were very specific about not having big wild parties here. You actually had to be 30 years old to rent it (weird, but I guess that’s their prerogative). Since we are a generally mellow group, that worked just fine for us. But if your plan is pumping house music and running around the backyard like wild women (which is a glorious vibe, by the way), I’d maybe look elsewhere.
Where to Eat in Sedona
Mariposa
This dinner is something I will never forget. Situated overlooking the incredible red rock formations of Sedona, the view here was unreal – even as we arrived at dusk. The vibes at Mariposa are on point. After a long day in the heat, it was just starting to cool off after sunset. Sitting outside on the romantically-lit patio was just divine.
Mariposa is a Latin inspired grill, with a fantastic wine list and great options for every diet type. To put it simply, the food was next level good. The executive chef Lisa Dahl even came out to say hi, which was an absolute treat. Lisa, by the way, is a mega babe and just exudes the serene, artistic, Sedona vibe. LOVE THAT FOR YOU, LISA!
Here are some dishes our group loved: Atun Parfait, Empanadas, Chopped Goddess Salad, Strip Steak, Australian Rack of Lamb, Pollo Rustico, Roasted Cauliflower.
I’d recommend splitting everything between your group so you can try as many options as possible!
Some tips: this restaurant is limited to six person reservations and does book out very far in advance. I’d suggest booking at least six to eight weeks prior to your trip. We had to make two four person reservations, and called to request the tables be near each other (which they kindly accommodated – thank you Irene!).
Lisa Dahl also has several other restaurants in Sedona which I can only imagine are fantastic as well, including Butterfly Burger, Pisa Lisa, Cucina Rustica, and Dahl & DiLuca.
Elote Cafe
Elote Cafe is a Mexican-inspired restaurant that just about everyone was raving about. Unfortunately, they book out 2-3 months in advance (and even farther out for weekends), so we couldn’t grab a table here. But, if you’re planning ahead for your Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary, you definitely need to try this place out!
I will definitely be booking Elote Cafe for my next trip out to Sedona!
Local Juicery
Between my friend Ali (@alibonar) and I, we got so many recommendations from our Instagram communities for this place. After a long, hot hike, this is the perfect spot for a healthy, refreshing smoothie, salad, or coffee. Don’t sleep on those gluten free waffles either!
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian
We ordered Picazzo’s Healthy Italian for takeout on Friday and it was great! I wouldn’t say it was my all time favorite gluten free pizza, but it was tasty, affordable, and the salads were delicious. The gals said the regular, gluten-filled pizza was very good. If you want a night in for silly games and some cocktails (so no one has to be a driver), I’d definitely check out Picazzo for some pizzas and salads for your group.
Hikes
I love staying active, even when on vacation. A good sweat just brightens my whole mood and sets a good vibe for the rest of the day. So, we knew without a doubt that hiking would definitely be a part of our Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary. Our group started every day with a big hike. After a few cocktails, nothing wakes you up the next morning like a cold shower first thing followed by a nice, hot hike.
Cathedral Rock
The Cathedral Rock Hike in Sedona was by far everyone’s favorite hike that we did! It offers unbelievable views of the naturally occurring rock formations, all in the heart of red rock country. Due to the incredible scenery and short distance, this is an extremely popular hike and can get crowded. There is also very limited parking, so you definitely want to get here early (think 6am early) or be prepared to wait a while until a spot in one of the two small parking lots open up.
The trip to the top of Cathedral Rock is definitely a scramble – prepare for some stepp rock climbing and I’d suggest having both hands free. All in, the hike is only about 1.5 miles long, but it’ll get your heart pumping with 740 feet of elevation gain. There are helpful rock cairns along the route that help keep you on trail as well.
We were drawn to this hike because it’s acclaimed as one of the best vortex hikes in the area. I swear you could feel the energy up there – it was magical and powerful and just brought all the good vibes. Here’s a great article if you want to learn more about energy vortexes in Sedona.
Cathedral Rock Hike – more info on Alltrails.
Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s Bridge Trail is another fantastic hike in Sedona. Before a long day of silly fun times (and a few cocktails), this was a great way to kick off our day with a good workout and incredible views. We parked on the road, which made it about a 5 mile round trip hike for our group.
You will definitely want to get here early, to beat both the crowds and the heat. It gets very crowded up at the top to take photos on the epic red rock bridge. There was a line of probably 70 people waiting to take photos. We skipped that, and instead took a photo in front of it and it was just as gorgeous!
Pack lots of water – at least one BIG water bottle per person. It’s dusty and dry, and if you’re going anytime between May and October, likely pretty toasty too.
Devils Bridge Trail info on Alltrails
Other Activities
Pink Jeep Tours
If you want to see some epic views without walking dozens of miles, check out the Pink Jeep Tours! Sedona’s famous red-rock landscape offers adventure at every turn, and you have the chance to get up close and personal on these off-road tours. Pink Jeep Tours has everything from rugged off road adventures to scenic wine tours, so there’s really something for everyone.
We opted to hike and stay out of the midday heat, so didn’t end up taking the tour. Additionally, I can get a little motion-sickness, so it wasn’t the right option for us. But you should definitely check it out for your group!
On your way to the airport
Lons at Hermosa Inn
Last stop on our Sedona Bachelorette was a brunch at Lons at the Hermosa Inn. This hotel is all the adobe vibes your heart could desire. Studded with lush floral gardens and big trees, the patio at Lons was the perfect spot for a brunch in Phoenix before our flights. Sitting outside was HOT (won’t lie to you), but so much prettier for a gal’s brunch. If you’re going anytime later than early June, you’ll want to get here early or sit inside. Unless you’re built for 110 degree heat, then you do your thing honey.
The food here was SO good! And the gals all got some very festive, colorful drinks!
Some of the favorite orders: Monkey Bread, Palo Cristie Omelette (sub goat cheese), Superfood Bowl, Sonoran Chopped Salad with Chicken.
And that’s a wrap!
I’m still floating on the high that was my bachelorette weekend! I really can’t take credit for any of these finds, all credit goes to my amazing maid of honor, Samantha, and hilarious bridesmaid, Caitlin, for doing the work to make our weekend fantastic.
And remember, as long as you’re with a group of good girlfriends, you’ll have a great time. The details matter a lot less than enjoying your time with some rad ladies.
Hope this Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary makes your weekend one to remember!
Other Travel Itineraries
If you like this, you should definitely check out my blogs about our California Road Trip Honeymoon and my Edna Valley Guide.