Bonjour,
Nous partirions à 2 pendant une grosse vingtaine de jours dans l'Ouest américain à cheval sur le mois de juin et juillet 2010.
Nous aimerions combiner hotels et campings.
merci de nous conseiller quelques itinéraires possibles en combinant parcs "incontournables", ainsi que san francisco et las vegas... los angeles est elle vraiment incoutournable? en sachant que nous souhaiterions a priori découvrir une partie du Nouveau Mexique : nous avons entendu dire que c'était inoubliable!!
Merci pour vos conseils avisés!!
Avec particulièrement celui-ci qui zappe la Côte et LA , privilégie Moab et ses parcs, et permet de prolonger ds la région de Phoenix
J1 : Vol pour SFO
J2 : SFO
J3 : SFO
J4 : SFO - Yosemite
J5 : Yosemite - Bodie - Lee Vining
J6 : Lee Vining - Death Valley
J7 : Death Valley- Las Vegas
J8 : Las Vegas
J9 : Las Vegas - Valley of Fire (très tôt le matin) et route pour Zion + visite - nuit à Springdale
J10 : Suite de Zion - route vers Bryce : visite et coucher de soleil - nuit à Bryce
J11 : Bryce Canyon- Torrey
J12 : Torrey- Capitol Reef - Moab
J13 : Moab
J14 : Moab
J15 : Moab - Monument Valley
J16 : Monument Valley - Page
J17 : Page - Grand Canyon
J18 : Grand Canyon
J19 : Grand Canyon - Phoenix
J20 et ... : région de Phoenix (Apache Trail, Tucson, Tombstone, Bisbee, Chiricahua... sur plusieurs jours!...)
Maintenant, si en 20 jours, vous voulez voir le Nouveau Mexique (attention à la chaleur en été!!), faites alors en plus du Nouveau Mexique, Petrified Forest et Painted Desert, Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde, + tous les autres parcs cités mais en supprimant SF, Yosemite, Death Valley et la Côte Pacifique qui remontent trop au Nord.
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Perso, j'ai fais le parcours suivant l'an dernier et je ne le regrette pas du tout :
départ LA jusqu'a Las vegas puis avion vers SFO (zappé dad valley et yosemite, choix a faire !)
le détail en étapes ici http://vttescapade.fr/wp/?page_id=593
Il a a des étapes d'une journée ou on peut tout faire et des étapes incontournables ou il faut se poser pour pleinement apprécier
Page et surtout moab ou nous sommes restés 5 jours inoubliables :
le détail sur moab , http://vttescapade.fr/wp/?page_id=668
Si en plus, on est branché Mtb heuu VTT alors c'est le tip top !!!
Gilles
Bonjour Aline et Grego,
Le choix est simple: Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas!
Pas pour y séjourner mais comme point d'accès et d'appui logistique il n'y a rien qui arrive à la cheville de LV dans tout l'Ouest américain.
Vous y trouverez les meilleurs deals de location automobile, un nombre élevé de parcs nationaux dans un rayon de un à deux jours de conduite sur 360 degrés et de nombreux vols NY-LV en discount.
Mon dernier séjour:
arrivée LV, deux jours dans la ville, départ le matin du troisième jour pour l'Utah. Visite dans l'après-midi de Zion, ensuite camping pendant trois jours dans une partie isolée de l'ouest de ce park (traces de mountain lion, vu des crotales etc), départ pour Bryce et camping dans le parc (se lever très tôt pour voir le lever de soleil sur l'horizon), routes 89, 12 pour le nord du Capitol Reef ParK que nous avons descendu ensuite jusqu'à la frontière avec l'Arizona. Sur la route 24 ne pas manquer la ferme organic baba cool Mesa, un oasis de verdure perdu dans le désert du Capitol Reef et on peut y acheter des melons charentais http://www.mesafarmmarket.com/. Pris la I95 (I signifie Interstate) pour Natural Bridges Monument, ensuite la I191 et la 163 pour Monument Valley. Nous y avons passé 4 jours inoubliables au camping. Les couleurs au lever et coucher du soleil sont extraordinaires.
Route 160 et I191 jusqu'à Canyon De Chelly (prononcé de chai) ou nous avons passé trois nuits dans un hogan au camping Spider Rock, maison traditionnelle navajo http://discovernavajo.com/hogan.html.
Chinle est le centre de la Navajo Nation, pauvre mais intéressant si on prend le temps de regarder et de parler. Ensuite la 264 et visite du Hubbell Trading Post, Tuba City, et nord pour le Grand Canyon, côté sud (Grand Canyon Village). Nous avons loué une chambre sur le bord du canyon, spectaculaire! Il faut s'y prendre longtemps à l'avance... http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/Lodging-Overview-411.html
Je recommende de prendre le bus jusqu'au Hermit Trail Head et de revenir à pied vers le village par le sentier qui borde le précipice. C'est 11km et vous vous en souviendrez le reste de votre vie, vraiment spectaculaire! http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/2009-10WinTranMap.pdf
Survol du Canyon dans un petit Cessna.
Il ne faut pas rester trop longtemps au GC, trop de gros touristes en espadrille et shorts hawaiens avec des caméras autour du cou...
Ensuite I40 et route 93 pour le Hoover Dam. Sur la 93 pas très loin du barrage il y a un sentier qui mène à une source d'eau sulfureuse. Ce sentier passe dans des canyons et longe la rivière Colorado. La source s'appelle GoldStrike Hot Springs http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/LAME/Goldstrike/_Goldstrike.htm
Surtout emmener beaucoup d'eau avec vous...
Retour à LV.
Nous avons voyagé pendant un mois et ma description n'est pas complète, j'ai seulement donné un aperçu du trajet presque circulaire autour de LV. Pour ceux qui n'ont pas 1 mois je conseille le nord de l'Arizona avec Grand Canyon, Monument Valley et Canyon de Chelly et Hoover Dam etc
Indispensable: de l'eau, beaucoup d'eau, du sun block, acheter un pass de l'USNPS http://usparks.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=usparks&cdn=travel&tm=21&gps=289_526_1419_709&f=00&su=p531.50.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//store.usgs.gov/pass vraiment ça vous évitera beaucoup d'attente et bien plus économique.
Bonne Chance
Maoming Lu, Tongren Lu, Julu Lu, I have done'em all and more...
Merci à tous pour ces précisions... suis en pleine réflexion🤪... j'hésite donc entre côté ouest et nouveau mexique...il faut choisir... san francisco me tente quand même...
Quelqu'un pourrait il me conseiller des campings sympas qu'il/elle a fréquenté dans les principaux sites de l'Ouest? (parcs) Pour les grandes villes nous privilégions les hotels...quelques adresses?
De plus, j'ai lu qu'il était impossible de camper dans la death valley en été...est ce vrai? quelqu'un l'a t il fait? et alors les impressions?
Merci pour vos réponses!!😉
Ne prends surtout pas mal ce que je t'écris mais je crois que ça nous aiderait si ta réflexion avançait un petit peu. Je ne sais pas si tu te rends compte que tes questions, c'est comme si tu nous demandais : 'je pars en Europe, vous avez une adresse d'un camping ????' 🤪
Bastinj t'a fourni les itinéraires classiques, souvent suivis lors d'un premier voyage.
Et comme tu dis, la côte et le Nouveau Mexique, il faudrait choisir. Car te lister des hotels et des campings sur 2000 kms, ça risque d'être long. 😛
Donc, avant de te demander si tu peux camper dans Death Valley, prends les choses dans l'ordre et affine ton trajet et les sites que tu veux voir.
Route 160 et I191 jusqu'à Canyon De Chelly (prononcé de chai) ou nous avons passé trois nuits dans un hogan au camping Spider Rock, maison traditionnelle navajo http://discovernavajo.com/hogan.html.
Chinle est le centre de la Navajo Nation, pauvre mais intéressant si on prend le temps de regarder et de parler. Ensuite la 264 et visite du Hubbell Trading Post, Tuba City,
Ton texte m'interpelle car nous sommes passés au Spider Rock campground cet été 2009. Howard est un personnage très attachant (et son chien Boy aussi...), son camping est sommaire (très...) mais l'esprit qui y règne, le calme, la flute indienne, ce sont des moments inoubliables.
Ton avis m'intéresse sur le Hubbell et sur la route qui y démarre vers TubaCity à travers la réserve Hopi. cette zone est sur mon prochain trip (08/2011...) en venant de Chelly (bien sûr) et en remontant vers Navajo NM et MV.
Ton avis m'intéresse sur le Hubbell et sur la route qui y démarre vers TubaCity à travers la réserve Hopi. cette zone est sur mon prochain trip (08/2011...) en venant de Chelly (bien sûr) et en remontant vers Navajo NM et MV.
Bonjour,
J'ai emprunté cette route en 2007. Le Hubbel trading post n'est rien d'autre qu'un relais, ancien, qui a le mérite de vendre aujourd'hui encore des produits "artisanaux". Tu peux visiter les écuries et la ferme alentour. en 1 h, le tour est fait.
a Gallup, tu peux passer du temps dans les Pawn afin d'acheter si tu le souhaite d'authentiques bijoux Navajo. La plupart des des bijoux "Navajo made" sont créés ici à Gallup.
Dans l'ordre tu feras
Chinle - Window rock avec son Navajo Nation Museum - Hubbel trading post - Gallup
L'idéal serait de faire la visite de Chelly nord le matin, revenir vers Chinle, prendre la 191 S vers Window rock et la 264 vers Gallup.
Bonne journée.
J'ai 1h15 (45miles) depuis le Spider rock campground, puis:
il y a 60miles (1h30) depuis le carrefour 191/264 jusque Gallup...et sur la route, le Navajo Nation Museum à Window Rock m'intéresse (m'en dire plus SVP !), donc avec les 2 arrêts (Hubbell+Museum)= 2h30.
Puis visite de Gallup (Quoi ?) et boutiques (1h00).
Puis retour vers la réserve Hopi (campground à SecondMesa) à 120 miles (3h00).
ça me remplit bien la journée.
Merci à toi, cordialement Jean.
Chelly sera (encore) visité la veille (archive: voir mon jour 12 le 15/08 sur le blog).
PS je vais re-regarder ton blog !
PS il me semble que le festival intertribal a lieu à Gallup en août, je m'informe.
le Navajo Nation Museum à Window Rock m'intéresse (m'en dire plus SVP !)
Window rock porte son nom parce qu'il y a un trou rond dans la falaise à l'entrée sud de la ville. Le Musée est juste là. Des salles de conférence, des expos, une aire de pique nique. Il s'agit du en quelque sorte d'un haut lieu culturel Navajo.
http://www.navajonationmuseum.org/
Nous y avions passé 2-3 heures. Le reste de la ville est comme souvent déprimant à souhait.
Puis visite de Gallup (Quoi ?) et boutiques (1h00).
Compte un peu plus de temps quand même. Tu es sur l'historique Route 66.
PS il me semble que le festival intertribal a lieu à Gallup en août, je m'informe.
Oui en août effectivement. Il avait lieu lors de mon passage il y a 2 ans. Je ne suis pas fan et rien n'était fait pour attirer le touriste lambda. Le festival avait lieu à l'écart de la ville sur un (ou des) terrains de sport 😮😮. en ville Rien ne laissait entendre qu'un évènement se déroulait à Gallup. Etonnant. 😕.
Chelly sera (encore) visité la veille (archive: voir mon jour 12 le 15/08 sur le blog).
Tu avais visité la rive Sud du canyon le matin. La visite l'après-midi te donnera une bien meilleure lumière... 😛.
La rive sud l'après midi
La rive nor le matin.
C'est le Grand principe à cet endroit.
ça va être très difficile de faire SF (ou une autre ville de la Côte) - New Mexico en 3 semaines !
Là je rejoins Foggio, le mieux étant d'arriver à LV et de partir vers les grands parcs jusqu'au NM.
Mais il est vrai que tu devrais au moins rédiger une première ébauche de circuit en 21 jours (ou plus) au départ d'une ville et avec des étapes qui t'intéressent. Car tt est beau, tt est visitable, tt fait envie... mais il faut faire des choix !
"la sagesse est d'avoir des rêves suffisamment grands pour ne pas les perdre de vue lorsqu'on les poursuit" (Oscar Wilde).
"ne pas rêver sa vie, mais vivre ses rêves"
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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!
