OK, ocean-front property is admittedly hard to come by in Phoenix, but locals have long known seven secrets for beating the heat.

The first is to head north to Slide Rock, located in gorgeous Sedona.

Slide Rock State Park is a 43-acre historical apple farm located in Oak Creek Canyon. As one of the few homesteads left intact in the canyon today, Slide Rock State Park is a wonderful example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. The site also played a huge role in the development of the tourism industry in Oak Creek Canyon.

WORTH NOTING: During the summer, Slide Rock experiences extremely high visitation. The parking lots typically fill up from late morning through early afternoon, and a you may experience a long wait to enter the park, especially on weekends and holidays. A Parking Lot Full sign is posted at the entrance when the park reaches capacity.

The famous Slide Rock, for which the park is named, is a stretch of slippery creek bottom adjacent to the homestead. Visitors take turns sliding down a slick natural water chute or wading and sunning along the creek.

Coming up September 19 & 20: Apple Festival - "What's Old is New Again"

9 am - 4 pm. A celebration of Oak Creek's agricultural and farming history, the Slide Rock Apple Fest is a 2-day event featuring live music, activities for children and adults, food, arts & crafts, natural exhibitions, educational booths, homesteading demonstrations, and lectures about sustainability. Activities include apple-sorting demonstrations, cornhole and a beer garden, hay maze, face painting, apple-themed activities, history walks, apple recipe contests, and music performances by Red Rock Country Band and Porchlights.

Fees and Tickets: Entrance fee $8 per car load or FREE with complimentary Apple Fest ticket. Volunteers are needed for this event. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Slide Rock State Park.