apres avoir chercher et lu les divers avis sur le site, j'ai élaboré (pas facile...) un circuit de 15 jours dans l'ouest américain.
Je sais que le sujet a été abordé à plusieurs reprises mais j'aimerai connaitre vos avis sur le circuit que j'ai concocté, si des modifications peuvent etre apportées, changer certaines choses, enfin tout ce que vous jugerez utile, je suis preneur !!!
Donc pour situer le contexte :
nous partons à 2 aldultes et un bébé de 20 mois du 9 au 24 avril 2010.
arrivé le 10/04 à san francisco
11/04 : SF
12/04 : SF
13/04 : SF - Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
14/04 : San Luis Obispo - Los Angeles
15/04 : LA
16/04 : LA
17/04 : LA - Las Vegas (en avion) puis direction Flagstaff via Peach Springs
18/04 : Flagstaff - Grand Canyon
19/04 : GC - Page
20/04 : Page - Bryce Canyon
21/04 : Bryce Canyon - Saint Georges via Zion
22/04 : Saint Georges - Las Vegas
23/04 : LV
24/04 : LV - Paris
A noter que comme nous aller faire le trajet en voiture avec un bébé, j'ai essayer de limiter les temps de parcours à 4h de voiture env par jour.
Ton circuit est pas mal, mais je ne comprend pas trop le 17/04 : il faudra aller à l'aéroport, rendre ta voiture, s'enregistrer, attendre, le vol, débarquer, récupérer les bagages, louer une voiture, et direction Flagstaff. Las Vegas > Flagstaff : au moins 4 heures de route...
Bref, tu auras plus viste fait de faire directement LA > Flagstaff en voiture, quitte à faire des pauses régulièrement...
D'accord avec les autres, et même pourquoi passer par Flagstaff
St Georges au retour offre aucun intéret autre qu'une église mormon blanche
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
En effet, il serai peut etre plus judicieux de zapper l'avion.
Que pensez vous de faire à la place LA - LV en voiture donc, nuit a LV et le lendemain faire directement LV - GC?
Niveau temps de parcours ca le ferai?
L'étape à st georges etait plus logistique que touristique dans la mesure ou va faire la route avec notre fille. Sinon je rajoute 1 nuit à Bryce et je zappe st george pour rallier directement LV
arrivé le 10/04 à san francisco
11/04 : SF
12/04 : SF
13/04 : SF - Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
14/04 : San Luis Obispo - Los Angeles
15/04 : LA
16/04 : LA
17/04 : LA - Las Vegas
18/04 : LV- Grand Canyon
19/04 : GC - Page
20/04 : Page - Bryce Canyon
21/04 : Bryce Canyon
22/04 : Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas
23/04 : LV
24/04 : LV - Paris
Remonter à Las Vegas entre LA et GC ajoute des kilométres , peut-être faire étape sur la 40/93 vers Kingman ou Seligman ou Williams selon le timing
Bryce en avril , des "chances" de voir la route fermée vers le haut du park pour cause d'enneigement, il ne fera pas chaud (+ 2000 m d'altitude) , un jour plein sur place si rando OUI (bébé de 20 mois ?) sinon pourquoi ne pas ajouter une étape à Monument Valley entre GC et Page.
11/04 : SF
12/04 : SF
13/04 : SF - Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
Tu passes par la California 1 comme il se doit pour profiter du paysage superbe de Big Sur, c'est une étape très, trop longue, il y a beaucoup de kms et la route est petite sinueuse et donc lente. En tant que chauffeur tu perds pas mal de plaisir visuel en te concentrant sur la route. Et à ce rythme, guère de temps pour s'arrêter prendre un bol d'air. Dommage.
14/04 : San Luis Obispo - Los Angeles
15/04 : LA
16/04 : LA
17/04 : LA - Las Vegas
Quitte à rouler ce jour là, autant filer à GC direct, ainsi, le lendemain, tu fait GC à la journée et ma remarque suivante tombe de fait.
18/04 : LV- Grand Canyon
Ouais, une demie journée sur CG, en te dépéchant tu profites des points de vue, mais il y a pas loin de 50 km de Rim, dommage de pas en profiter et flaner à pieds le long des points les plus beaux.
19/04 : GC - Page
Idem plein de points d'intéret dans le coin, en plus, tu zappes Monument.
20/04 : Page - Bryce Canyon
21/04 : Bryce Canyon
Ben voilà, une journée consacrée à Bryce avec une ballage au coeur du parc, enfin de quoi profiter des lieux
22/04 : Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas
23/04 : LV
24/04 : LV - Paris
Bon, sur le principe, je trouve ton voyage plutôt pas mal pensé car assez rationel dans les étapes (sauf la première). Mais il manque quelque chose qui me semble essentiel, le temps de profiter des lieux.
Un trajet comme celui ci mérite une semaine de plus pour s'intaller et bien appréhender les parcs notamment. Ce rythme que tu prends vas certes t'en donner un aperçu mais guère en profiter. Beaucoup de Km par jour, au risque de revenir avec l'impression d'avoir passer ton temps dans la voiture. Tu adoptes un rythme de tour opérator, et c'est toi qui conduit, .
Si ces 15 jours sont incontournables, pourquoi ne pas te concentrer sur Vegas et alentour (du coup, inclus Monument).
Et revient faire la californie un peu plus tard, là aussi de quoi passer du temps (Yosémite, redwood, Big Sur, etc...)
Zapper Monument Valley serait un gachis!
Il suffit d'enlever une nuitée à LA et ça pourrait donner le circuit suivant:
10, 11, 12/4: SFO
13/4 : SFO- S Luis Obispo
14, 15/4 : LA
16/4: après midi: départ pour LV
17/4: Grand Canyon
18/4: matin: GC; après-midi : Monument Valley (nuitée sur place= MUST)
19/4: départ pour Page; vers midi visite Antelope Canyon(une merveille)
20/4: Bryce
rien à changer pour la fin du parcours
"lorsqu'au crépuscule de ma vie je me retournerai, je dirai: c'est moi qui ai vécu et non un ètre factice créé par mes ennuis et mes regrets"
En tenant compte de vos divers avis et recommandations, j'ai modifié quelques points de mon circuit et j'en suis arrivé à ca :
arrivé le 10/04 à san francisco
11/04 : SF
12/04 : SF
13/04 : SF - Monterey - Big Sur - San Luis Obispo
14/04 : San Luis Obispo - Los Angeles
15/04 : LA
16/04 : LA - LV
17/04 : GC
18/04 : GC - Monument Valley (dommage de rater ca en effet!!!!)
19/04 : MV - Page
20/04 : Page - Bryce Canyon
21/04 : Bryce Canyon
22/04 : Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas
23/04 : LV
24/04 : LV - Paris
J'ai donc zapper une nuit a LA. Trouvez vous cela mieux agencé?
Bien vu sur la journée LA au bénéfice de Monument (a faire au tomber du soleil)
Pour le reste, je reste extrèmement septique sur le trajet SF - San Luis Obispo.
A la journée, c'est bien trop.
Prend au moins une étape sur Monterrey / Carmel qui en plus valent leur journée.
Je reste sur ma position générale, trop de KM, trop vite, appréhende bien les distances, les parcs que tu visites sont à une échelle dont les français ne sont pas habitués
Cela vous parait il bcp sur une journée? Car si je fais un stop a Monterey (ce dont je suis pas contre) il faut que je zappe une nuit ailleurs et le dilemme est de trouver ou? SF? LV?
je pense en effet que la durée doit en principe être approchante à ce que dis Google Map, néanmoins, dans des conditions essentiellement pratiques.
En effet, comme précisé, la route est petite et sinueuse, à tel point qu'elle est interdite aux trucks et au Bus. Donc, en été, suivre la colonie migrante de camping cars est un exervice fatiguant et laborieux.
Et SURTOUT, notamment sur Big Sur, les paysages sont somptueux et incitent aux arrêts fréquents tant pour la photo que pour le plaisir de la contemplation.
C'est ne celà que je pense votre trajet un peu gourmand.
Mais je me met à votre place, 15 jours c'est vite passé et l'on a envie d'en maximiser les souvenirs, mais attention à la frustration car vous passez beaucoup de temps en voiture. Et les lieux traversés vous donnent une terrible envie de rester profiter
Je ne pense pas vous rassurer ni vous consoler mais j'ai la chance de partir à chaque fois 4 semaines, la problématique se présente à chaque fois tout pareil.
c'est bien là tout le probleme !! on veut en voir le maximum meme si je suis conscient que ce n'est pas possible en une seule fois. toutefois, j'ai tres envie de faire la cote, sinon il faut que j'integre une nuit supplementaire dans mon voyage histoire de pouvoir souffler.
Il y a des hotels à Big Sur? Car dans ce cas, je pourrai peut etre faire SF - Big Sur et le lendemain Big Sur - LA?
Big Sur n'est pas à proprement parlé une ville, plûtot une région, en fait, passé Monterrey, une fois embarqué à flan de coteau, vous êtes sur un site assez abrupte classé en espace naturel. Les premières zones d'accueil et d'herbegement sont situés vers San Siméon (hearst castle) et surtout Cambria à 50 km de san Luis Obispo donc....
Peut être très localement des opportunités, mais très probablement dans des budgets assez élevés et qui ne se sont donc pas imposés à mes yeux.
"sinon il faut que j'integre une nuit supplementaire dans mon voyage histoire de pouvoir souffler"
c'est vraiment hors jeu pour vous ?
J'avoue que ce serais pas mal. Ca dépend sans doute de votre budget.
Dans le domaine hôtelier, hormis les grande ville la Californie reste assez chère.
Pensez à récupérer le traveler Discount Guide en arrivant (premier visitor center qui se présente où en libre service dans les resto par exemple - format jounaux gratuits)
Bonjour,
Ce que l'on s'aperçoit sur ton autotour c'est qu'une fois retiré le temps passé ente les étapes et on ne roule pas vite aux us il te reste peut de temps à visiter .ZION, il faut au minimun 1 jour . G canyon , Bryce méritent du temps. Pourquoi ne pas supprimer LA .Pourquoi cette étape à st George dans le desert .Springdale à la sortie du parc de Zion est charmant.
sauf changement, le circuit devrait etre comme ca :
10/04 : Arrivée San Franciso
11/04 : San Franciso
12/04 : San Francisco
13/04 : SF > Monterey ou Carmel
14/04 : Monterey ou Carmel - Santa Barbara
15/04 : Santa Barbara - LA
16/04 : LA
17/04 : LA > Kingman (via Barstow) / 519km
18/04 : Kingman > Route 66 > Grand Canyon / 262km
19/04 : Grand Canyon > Monument Valley / 296km
20/04 : Monument Valley > Page / 219km
21/04 : Page > Bryce Canyon / 252km
22/04 : Bryce Canyon > Zion / 160km
23/04 : Zion > Las Vegas / 256km
24/04 : Départ Las Vegas
CA peut encore évoluer, mais pour le moment je pars la dessus.
Tu n'auras pas trop de temps pour les grasses matinées, mais pour le coup ça me semble pas mal optimisé.
As toi de voir pour les Points logements, si tu ne réserves pas, attention aux points durs :
Grand Canyon
Monument Valley
Eventuellement :
Monterrey
Bon, à titre perso, je ne réserve que l'hotel du soir de l'arrivée, je ne suis donc pas forcément le conseiller idéal en la matière.
Ceci étant, cette unique réservation je la met en place dès que mon voyage est en forme.
En fait dès que possible, et dans le cas qui t'intéresse je pense que ce n'est pas plus mal. Dès que les réservations sont ouvertes, et que tu as bouclé ton circuit tu peux partir à la pèche via ce très bon site d'ailleurs avec lequel tu peux prospecter efficacement.
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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).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
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!
