Often called “Red Rock Country” Sedona, Arizona is surrounded by red-rock monoliths that have been made famous by both Hollywood and tourists alike.

The city of Sedona was once a rural ranching community located far off the beaten path, but its unsurpassed natural beauty became known through the motion picture industry.

Thanks to the magic of movies, Sedona’s massive red-rock formations have been seen in old westerns, and have served as distant planet settings. And today, commercials and television shows are still filmed in the unsettled areas surrounding the city.

Sedona is located in Arizona’s high desert under the rim of the Colorado Plateau. It is blessed with a mild climate filled with sunshine, which helps to attract more than four-million tourists from around the world to the area each year.

It is said that Sedona got its name after Theodore Carl “T. C.” Schnebly and his wife, Sedona, moved to town. The few families living there had convinced T.C. to establish a post office in his large home, which already had become the community’s hotel.

Once established as a post office, the area needed a name so T.C. asked the government to name the post office Schnebly Station or Red Rock Crossing. He was told these names were too long, so he submitted his wife’s name instead. And so it was that Sedona got its name.

Visitors and residents delight in the area’s natural year-round beauty, which is conducive to many types of outdoors activities such as hiking and biking. But Sedona also has art galleries, live shows and a number of annual festivals.

While it’s possible to see some of Sedona’s famous red rocks while walking down Main Street, to really get a good look at the world-famous Red Rock Country, you’ll want to drive the scenic byways.

A scenic drive will showcase the area’s crimson peaks and cliffs, vegetation and desert wildlife. You’ll see ancient ruins, pristine canyons, Sedona vortex sites and even the Grand Canyon.

Or why not try one of the area’s guided jeep tours, air tours, or even a hot-air balloon ride! Not only will you be amazed at the sights, but you’ll also learn a lot about Red Rock Country.

Sedona is a four seasons playground with something for everyone -complete with a backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world!

Julia Bryan handles communications and public relations for DeNure Tours in Lindsay, Ont.