Déjà, vous arrivez sur le sol américain en J0 ? A quel aéroport ?
Ensuite vous voulez trop, beaucoup trop en faire... Malheureusement, il va falloir sacrifier beaucoup de choses, les lieux les plus éloignés des aéroports de départ et d'arrivée.
Universal Studios demande à lui seul une journée entière, sans pass coupe-files (qui est plus cher)
J2: visiter LA + plus la route, c'est trop chargé.
2 jours à SF c'est correct.
J6: nuit côté Ouest: El Portal ou Curry Village.
J9: visiter Death Valley en matinée
Il manque un jour complet à Vegas
J15 est lui aussi chargé. Monument Valley se visite de préférence en fin d'après-midi pour la luminosité.
Je ne sais pas si les vols sont réservés mais à la vue du circuit et pour gagner du temps il faudrait une arrivée à San Francisco et un retour de Los Angeles.
Hello oui ton programme est trop rapide , et ton jour 1 est infaisable. Si l'arrivée se fait ce jour là , rien que passer la douane récupérer le véhicule puis traverser LA ça prend du temps.
De plus faire la côte le meilleur sens est de SF à LA , au lieu de Cambria vous pouvez stopper à Morro bay qui est très beau. Je prendrais un jour de plus pour faire la côte car rien que le coin de Monterey/Carmel mérite une demi journée. Point Lobos il faut y rester au moins 2 heures pour en profiter faire deux petites randonnées. La côte entre SF et Monterey on a envie de s'arrêter tous les mètres , ça prend du temps.
Il ne faut pas prévoir plus de 3 heures de routes entre deux points car il faut prévoir les temps de visite . En plus il y a des changements d'heure à gérer entre les parcs décalage de plus ou moins 1 heure.
Il faudrait revoir la fin du parcoure après Las Vegas ça me semble trop speed
Bonne préparation
Bonjour Dimitri
Je pense que vous allez faire beaucoup de route et limiter vos visites.
Peut etre vous devriez envisager de ne pas faire LA. Vous y perdrez du temps, embouteillages.
Si vous commencez par San Francisco et terminer a Vegas ou revenir a SF, vous gagnerez plusieurs jours pour vos visites des Parks. Je pense que ce sont les Parks qui sont le but de votre visite😏
Je suis qu'avec les autres internautes nous pouvons vous aider a plannifier votre voyage.
Pour la partie de San Francisco, je suis pret a vous donner des infos.
Amities
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Tout d'abord un grand merci pour vos réponse. Je suis désolé c'est la première fois que j'organise un tel voyage c'est pour cela que j'essaie de m'y prendre à l'avance. Vos conseils me sont très utiles.
Notre idéal de circuit aurait été celui la (circuit ci dessous) mais étant donné le temps que l'on a entre 15 et 20 jours on aura pas le temps de tout faire c'est une certitude, puis nous ne voulons pas "bâcler" le circuit, nous voulons prendre notre temps afin de bien visiter quitte à supprimer des étapes.
Qu'en pensez-vous ?
· Jour 1 – L'arrivé à L.A
· Jour 2 – Los Angeles et Universal studio
· Jour 3 – Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu et Santa Barbara
· Jour 4 – Highway 1, Big Sur, point lobos
· Jour 5 – Monterey, Silicon Valley, SF
· Jour 6 – San Francisco
· Jour 7 – San Francisco/Yosemite
· Jour 8 – Yosemite
· Jour 9 – Mono Lake, Bodie, Death Valley
· Jour 10 – Death Valley, Las Vegas
· Jour 11 – Las Vegas
· Jour 12 – Zion
· Jour 13 – Zion, Red Canyon, Mossy Cave, Bryce
· Jour 14 – Bryce NP
· Jour 15 – Kodachrome Basin, Grosvenor Arch, Scenic Byway 12
· Jour 16 – Capitol Reef
· Jour 17 – Arches
· Jour 18 – Arches
· Jour 19 – Canyonland (Island in the sky), Dead Horse point
· Jour 20 – Gooseneck, Valley of the Gods et Monument Valley
· Jour 21 – Monument Valley
· Jour 22 – Navajo National Monument, Page
· Jour 23 – Lees Ferry, Cathedral wash, Horseshoe Bend
· Jour 24 – Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell
· Jour 25 – Grand Canyon
· Jour 26 – Grand Canyon, Route 66
· Jour 27 – TwentyNine palms, Los Angeles
Toujours un peu trop rapide, afin de profiter au mieux, je vous conseillerai de supprimer les jours de 15 à 19 et de les redistribuer 2 jours à San Francisco, 1 nuit à Death Valley etc ...
A quelques détails près, ça fait changer d'hôtel tous les jours. Imagine toi en train de faire et défaire les valises à chaque fois + la route + les visites + les coups de cœur impromptus + les pauses indispensables + les arrêts courses et ravitaillements divers et variés.
Ce n'est pas un problème si ça correspond à votre manière de voyager, mais il faut que ce soit conscientisé et voulu.
D'accord je vais essayer. Si j'oublie des choses à visiter n'hésitez pas à me le dire.
Jour 1 – L'arrivé à L.A (je ne sais pas encore à quelle heure)
· Jour 2 – Los Angeles et Universal studio + visiter un peu L.A si possible (à voir quelles sont les endroits à visiter. + nuit à l'hotel qui est encore à définir)
· Jour 3 – Départ de L.A en début de matinée pour Venice-Santa Monica-Malibu et Santa Barbara (Nuit à Santa Barbara)
· Jour 4 – Départ en matinée pour traverser la Californie par la Highway 1. Peut être un arrêt à San Simeon puis direction le state park julia pfeiffer et pour finir le state park de point lobos et finir par 17 miles drive et nuit à Pacific Grove
· Jour 5 – Le matin départ pour la Silicon Valley, via Cupertino, Poalo Alto puis direction SF (à voir ce qu'il y a à visiter)
· Jour 6 – Visite San Francisco nuit à SF
· Jour 7 – Départ le matin de San Francisco pour le parc de Yosemite nuit à Yosemite
· Jour 8 – visite de Yosemite + Mono Lake
· Jour 9 – Bodie, Death Valley nuit à Death Valley
· Jour 10 – Visite le matin de Death Valley puis direction Las Vegas
· Jour 11 – Visite de Las Vegas nuit à Las Vegas
· Jour 12 – Las Vegas-Zion
· Jour 13 – Zion, Red Canyon, Mossy Cave, Bryce nuit à Bryce
· Jour 14 – Bryce NP
· Jour 15 – Kodachrome Basin, Arch, Scenic Byway 12 direction Capitol reef nuit capitol reef
· Jour 16 – Capitol Reef
· Jour 17 – Canyonland (Island in the sky), Dead Horse point
· Jour 18 – Gooseneck, Valley of the Gods et Monument Valley
· Jour 19 – Monument Valley balade à cheval + nuit à M.V
· Jour 20 – Navajo National Monument, Page
· Jour 21 – Lees Ferry, Cathedral wash, Horseshoe Bend
· Jour 22 – Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell
· Jour 23 – Grand Canyon
· Jour 24 – Grand Canyon, Route 66 (C'est possible de faire Grand Canyon, route 66 et arriver à Los Angeles en 1 jour?)
· Jour 25 – Los Angeles
Que pensez-vous que l'on puisse supprimer afin que l'on puisse rester sur une periode de 15 à 20 jours ?
Après avoir bosser sur notre itinéraire en prenant en compte toutes vos bonnes critiques j'ai apporté quelques modifications et je voulais avoir vos avis.
Donc le voici :
Jour 0 (le 17/09/2015)
Vol Paris – Los Angeles (départ à 10H30 et arrivée à13H00)
Prise en charge voiture
Installation à l'hôtel
Nuit LA dans le quartier d’Hollywood
Jour 1
Journée entière à Hollywood Universal Studio
Jour 2:
Hollywood sign (le matin)
Hollywood Boulevard
Venice à S. Monica 21 minutes
Magasins à Santa Monica le matin + santa monica pier
Santa Monica à Santa Barbara (1h40)
Nuit à Santa Barbara
Jour 3
Santa Barbara à Monterey (370km, 4h40 Highway 1 :
Monterey bay (très bonne plage) ou Piedras Blanca Colony
Julia Pfeiffer State park
Point Lobos State Reserve
Nuit à Monterey ou morro bay
Jour 4:
Monterey à San Francisco (190km, 2h02)
Traversée du Golden Gate de l’autre côté SAUSALITO
point a Bonita Lighthouse
Nuit SF
Jour 5
Visite San Francisco :
Alcatraz (8h45)
Coit tower
Cable car direction Fisherman's warf
PIER 39
Lombard street
Nuit à SF
Jour 6
Visite San Francisco :
Cable à utiliser pour aller à chinatown
Chinatown
Alamo square (maisons victoriennes)
Union square (centre ville de SF)
Nuit à SF
Jour 7: SF à Yosemite(370km,4h30)
Nuit Portal
Jour 8
Journée découverte de Yosemite
Sentier qui mène aux chutes Yosemite: une marche de 30 minutes
Tioga Road jusqu'à El Capitan et Yosemite Valley
Nuit côté Est après la sortie du parc (Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes)
Nuit Mammoth Lakes
Jour 9
Mammoth Lakes à Death valley(373km, 3h51) :
Etape sur la route Ales Alabama Hills à Lone Pine
Départ de bonne heure pour Death Valley
Dans l'ordre:
Zabriskie Point
Devil Golf course
Bad Water point (-80m sour le niveau de la mer)
Artist Palet
Salt Creek interpretive trail
Nuit Death Valley, Furnace Creek Ranch
Jour 10: Death valley à Las Vegas (200km, 2h15)
Journée Las Vegas:
Le Strip à pied
Les attractions du "Stratosphere"
Le "Venitian Hotel Casino"
Le Grand Huit du "New York-New York"
La plus grande roue du monde et sa vue époustouflante sur la ville
Gratuit le soir:
Fremont Street et le vieux Vegas
Les fontaines du "Bellagio"
L'éruption du "Mirage"
Nuit L V
Jour 11
Las Vegas (voir ci-dessus) à étaller sur 2 jours
Jour 12 Journée un peu chargée ?
Las Vegas à Zion (km 2h35)
07h00 Départ Las Vegas
08h15 Arrivée valley of Fire 3-4h sur place grand max voir quelle randonné faire
12h00 Départ ZION 2h30 + arrêt
15h00 arrivée Zion puis traverser jusqu'au tunnel et overlook canyon trail 1h aller retour
17h00 départ Bryce
18h30 arrivée Bryce + sunset point (coucher du soleil)
Zion à BRYCE (1h21)
Sunset point (coucher du soleil) fin de journée
Nuit à Bryce
Jour 13
Journée à Bryce Tôt le matin 3h-4h la randonné grand max
Sunrise point QUEENS GARDEN et retour par la Navajo loop fin vers11h00 12h00
Après ? Libre
17h00 départ Hanksville ? ou Torrey
Pour être plus prêt de Moab Bryce > Torrey 2h21
Jour 14
Hanksville à MOAB km 1h41Tôt
Torrey > MOAB (env 251 km 2h39)
Prendre la route 12 puis la 24 jusqu'à MOAB ( jour)
1/2 journée pour Canyonlands (secteur Island in the Sky)
Dead Horse Point si timming ok
Nuit à Moab
ARCHES Devils Garden le plus tôt possible voir les secteurs plus faciles : les Windows, Balanced Rock, etc... Et garder Delicate Arch pour la fin d'après-midi.
Nuit à Moab
Moab à Monument Valley env 173km, 2h42
Dead Horse Point à l’aurore si pas vu en J-14
Ensuite 1/2 jour de route jusqu'à MV en passant par Valley of the Gods et Gooseneck et Muley point
John ford point?
Scenic Drive à MV
Nuit MV ou kayenta ville à coté 27 minutes Mexican hat par exemple
Jour 17;MV à Page (199km, 2h)
Le barrage Glen Canyon et le lac Powell
Lone rock et le point de vue sur le lac
Horseshoe bend
Nuit a Page
Jour 18: Page à Grand Canyon (211km, 2h30)
Lower Antelope Canyon 20$/ pers + 6$ parking 1 h
Nuit au Grand Canyon village sinon Tusayan
Si possible nuit à Kingman (2h30)
Jour 19: Kingman > Los Angeles 4h40
Grand Canyon ou Kingman
Williams route 66 (petit dejeuné)
Seligman
Oatman
Bagdad Café
Barstow nuit à Barstow ou Nuit à L.A
Jour 20 Le 07/10/15
Los Angeles à Retour à paris (départ à 15h30 et arrivée à 11h20)
Pour le jour 12, comme pour l'ensemble de votre voyage d'ailleurs, je trouve que vs minutez trop votre voyage.
Par exemple 7h départ LV... si vs êtes dans un "grand" hôtel, les formalités de check out peuvent durer très longtemps, avec les queues.
ZION : la traversée du tunnel occasionne de nombreux bouchons.Et il y a souvent de nombreux touristes, avec des RV qui n'avancent pas...
Ceci dit, j'ai sans doute été trop fort en disant que ce jour 12 est impossible. Vs pouvez gagner du temps en restant moins à VoF.
Bonsoir Dimitri,
Je voudrai pouvoir vous donner quelques infos pour vos visites de SF, mais je ne sais pas ou vous allez loger.
Avez-vous deja decide?
The Light House a Point Bonita n'est ouverte que les Samedis et Dimanches apres midi.
Vous pouvez vous en approcher, l'entre devant le tunnel est fermee les autres jours.😕
Comment comptez-vous vous deplacer dans SF? Buses, voiture?😄
Lorsque vous serez a Sausalito, allez jusqu'aux House Boats a Marin City, 10 minutes depuis Sausalito.
Pour quelques photos de San Francisco, voyez notre blog en bas de page. Dans les semaines qui viennent nous mettrons encore de nombreuses photos.
Amities
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Bonjour Jean-Pierre,
La petite route qui descend depuis le point de vue est une descente a 18%.
Il n'y a que 2 ou 3 endroits poue s'arreter, mais quel point de vue.😎😏
Le plus interessant est de la remonter en courant😕
Il est possible aussi de visiter tous les anciens bunkers
Amities
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Merci pour vos réponses, pour Zion nous allons essayer d'en faire au moins 2 car 3 randonnés j'ai peur de ne pas avoir le temps...
Du fait du jour qu'on a oublié, nous pouvons dormir à Zion (jour 12) et partir pour Bryce le lendemain.
En Jour 13
A Bryce, la randonné QUEENS GARDEN + Navajo loop est suffisante ou y a t'il d'autres randonnés à faire et de ce faite nous pouvons dormir à Bryce.
Et jour 14 partir pour MOAB. Mais ces modifications ne changent pas le fait qu'il reste une journée à affecter, j'ai juste modifié les lieux où nous allons dormir...
Comment puis-je affecter au mieux ce jour ?
Pour rappel avant modif :
Jour 12 :
Las vegas > Zion
07h00 Depart de Las vegas
08h15 Arrivé à Valley of Fire 3-4 heures
12h00 Départ Zion
15h00 Arrivé à Zion voir quelle randonnées nous pouvons faire
17h00 Départ à Bryce
18h30 + 1h00 décalage arrivé à Bryce
Jour 13 :
Bryce la randonné QUEENS GARDEN + la Navajo loop
Bryce > Torrey 2h21
Nuit à Torrey
Jour 14 :
Torrey > MOAB (env 251 km 2h39)
Prendre la route 12 puis la 24 jusqu'à MOAB ( jour)
1/2 journée pour Canyonlands (secteur Island in the Sky)
Mesa Arch
Dead Horse Point si timming ok
Jour 15 :
Moab les ARCHES
oBalanced Rock
oThe Windows
oDouble Arch
oBroken Arch
oSkyline Arch
+ Delicate Arch
Bonjour Dimitri,
A Bryce Canyon il y a aussi le Peek-A-Boo Trail, clairement marque plus long que les autres et le Under The Rim trail, mais celui-ci demande encore plus de temps surtout si vous voulez le faire completement.
Un pamphlet vous sera remis lors de votre entree dans le Park.
Cordialement
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
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Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
