Sedona is a truly magical place in the middle of Arizona. Known for its stunning scenery and iconic red rock walls, friendly people, and unique, artsy, free-spirited vibe, it’s a popular tourist destination for many, but it can also be a perfectly picturesque place to call home if you’re looking for your own sunny slice of the Southwest.
A Look at Sedona's History
Sedona was named after Sedona Arabella Miller Schenbly, who was the wife of Theodore Schenbly, the city’s first postmaster. Its first settler, John Thompson, moved to the Oak Creek Canyon area in 1876, which was at the time well-known for its apple and peach orchards. Most of the early settlers were farmers and ranchers and at the time the first post office was established, there were only 55 residents. Even by the mid-1950s, only 200 people lived in the area. Eventually, after electricity arrived in the 1960s, the area began to develop as a tourist destination and remains so to this day. Even today, however, there are many beautiful natural undeveloped areas, making Sedona a wonderful destination for outdoor recreation and enjoying all of nature’s beauty.
A Few Fun Facts About Sedona
Read more fun facts about Sedona here.
Sedona’s LGBTQ Community
Sedona is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Sedona/Verde Valley is Sedona’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The mission of the Sedona Pride community center is to provide encouragement and support to Sedona’s LGBTQ community, one person at a time. The group seeks to cultivate friendship, provide resources, and build a strong support network for the area’s LGBTQ population.
What's the Weather Like in Sedona?
Those who live in Sedona can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. The area receives 23 inches of rain on average each year, and 11 inches of snow. It also receives plenty of sunshine – 278 days a year on average. Highs in July usually reach around 92ºF, while lows in January usually drop to around 32ºF. Spring and fall are usually mild and pleasant and are wonderful times to enjoy all of the stunning and scenic beauty that Sedona has to offer.
Can’t-Miss Events in Sedona
The Sedona Pride Festival is Sedona’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event that you will definitely want to put on your calendar. This annual celebration set amongst the red rocks supports the LGBTQ community in the entire Verde Valley and includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
The Red Rocks Music Festival is nationally known as being one of the best music festivals in the country, drawing talented artists from around the world, and crowds of thousands. If you love live music, great food, good drinks, and plenty of fun, all set against the scenic backdrop of the beautiful red rocks, it’s definitely one event to put on your calendar.
The Best Neighborhoods in Sedona
Unlike some larger cities that tend to have one specific “gayborhood,” the LGBTQ community in Sedona is sprinkled throughout the city, and truly, anywhere in the city would make a wonderful place to call home. In fact, U.S.A. Today named Sedona one of the most welcoming cities in the United States.
Sedona generally consists of three main neighborhoods, which are separated by the “Y” intersection located at Highways 179 and 89A. Ultimately, all of Sedona is fairly gay-friendly, so finding a home you like will largely be a matter of budget and preference, and an experienced LGBTQ realtor who knows and loves the area will be able to help you find the perfect home to suit your needs.
The median list price of homes currently for sale in Sedona is $509,650.
Arts and Entertainment
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village
Sedona attracts its fair share of visitors interested in spirituality, art, and positive energy – and at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, they can find all three. This beautiful outdoor market features a variety of vendors, shops, galleries, and plenty of options to enjoy all of Sedona’s unique natural beauty.
For those interested in more historic art, there are few options better than a visit to the Palatki Indian Ruins. These ancient ruins are home to a wide variety of stunning Native American pictographs and petroglyphs, sure to inspire everyone who visits.
Parks and Recreation
Slide Rock State Park is one of the only natural waterslides in the world, and it’s located right in Sedona! Carved by the water of Oak Creek, this natural sandstone slide is a must-try experience on a hot Sedona day.
Visitors come to Sedona for its stunning natural beauty, and the good news is that there are countless hiking trails, picnicking spots, and biking paths throughout the town and the area around it. Buying a Red Rock Pass from any of the visitor centers will entitle you to park at any lot in Coconino Forest, and to enjoy so much of the outdoor beauty that the area has to offer.
Sedona Nightlife
Like many Irish pubs, Mooney's is a lively spot that's open late and full of friendly, welcoming crowds. Though not exclusively an LGBTQ bar, this spot is very LGBTQ friendly and is a great place to hang with old friends and meet new ones. Depending upon the day you visit, you may hear live music, join in some karaoke, play a few bar games, or participate in any number of other special events hosted by the pub. Whatever you do, you're sure to have fun here!
Olde Sedona Bar and Grill is a casual, friendly grill and sports bar offering lively karaoke nights, strong drinks, friendly crowds, and a beautiful upstairs patio with stunning red-rock views.
Contact a Sedona Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Sedona, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Sedona, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Sedona gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
