
Demo trip · dates locked · option 01
Red rock cathedrals, golden light, juniper-scented evenings

option 01
Red rock cathedrals, golden light, juniper-scented evenings
Sedona in mid-October is peak: highs around 78, red rock glowing in late light, cottonwoods starting to turn. Cathedral Rock at sunrise is one of the best family hikes in the Southwest. All lodging has hot tubs. 70-min flight LAX to PHX, 2-hour drive.
L'Auberge de Sedona
$899/night · sleeps 4
Cathedral Rock trail, Devil's Bridge hike, Slide Rock State Park
Oct 10 – 12
“We haven’t had a real weekend together since the kids started school. This needs to happen.”
Marcus, Reyes family
“Hot tub is non-negotiable. I don’t care about the hike.”
Sarah, Chen family
“The kids are going to lose it at Slide Rock. Let’s do this.”
Jordan, Park family
Cost estimate
Per household
Otto
Three options. Sedona — best fit.
Sedona in mid-October is peak: highs around 78, red rock glowing in late light, cottonwoods starting to turn. Cathedral Rock at sunrise is one of the best family hikes in the Southwest. All lodging has hot tubs. 70-min flight LAX to PHX, 2-hour drive.
Why not the others?
Joshua Tree~$1,550/family
Joshua Tree is 2.5 hours from LA, no flights. October temps drop to comfortable hiking. World-class stargazing. Less kid infrastructure than Sedona.
Moab~$1,450/family
Moab gives you Arches and Canyonlands — two national parks in one trip. October is the sweet spot. Colorado River float is family-friendly. Heaviest logistics of the three.
Day 1
morning · transit
Travel day
Head to the destination
afternoon · arrival
Check in at L'Auberge de Sedona
evening · dining
Elote Cafe
Mexican-inspired · kid-friendly
Day 2
morning · activity
Cathedral Rock trail
~120 min
afternoon · dining
Mariposa
Latin American · kid-friendly
afternoon · activity
Devil's Bridge hike
~150 min
Day 3
morning · activity
Slide Rock State Park
~120 min
morning · departure
Check out of L'Auberge de Sedona
Otto waiting on Reyes family to vote on lodging
Chen family locked dates: Oct 17-19
Solver found Oct 17-19 works for all three
Jordan joined the trip
Marcus joined the trip
Otto drafted 3 options — Sedona, Joshua Tree, Moab
Sarah kicked off the trip

option 02
Alien boulders, star-blanket skies, desert quiet
Joshua Tree is 2.5 hours from LA, no flights. October temps drop to comfortable hiking. World-class stargazing. Less kid infrastructure than Sedona.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree
$399/night · sleeps 4
Skull Rock trail, Cholla Cactus Garden, Stargazing
Oct 10 – 12

option 03
Canyon country grandeur, river mornings, red dust on everything
Moab gives you Arches and Canyonlands — two national parks in one trip. October is the sweet spot. Colorado River float is family-friendly. Heaviest logistics of the three.
Hoodoo Moab
$219/night · sleeps 4
Delicate Arch viewpoint, Dead Horse Point, Colorado River rafting
Oct 10 – 12