Bonjour, voici la 1ère ebauche pour un voyage dans l'ouest des USA. l'itinéraire que je vais vous présenter dure 25 jours. sachant que notre voyage durera 35 jours environs et qu'au debut et a la fin de mon itinéraire nous resterons 3 jours a chaque fois a los angeles pour etre avec des amies de los angeles, il me rete eventuellement 3/4 jours pr rajouter des étapes ou en prolonger.
J1: los angeles ( nuit a los angeles)
J2: LA - Santa Barbara - San Luis Obispo - San Siméon - Big Sur (nuit sur Carmel)
J3: Carmel - Monterey - Santa Cruz - San FRancisco ( nuit sur SF)
J4-5: SAN FRANCISCO ( nuit sur SF)
J6: SF - Fresno ( nuit three rivers)
J7: Three rivers - Sequoia NP - King Canyon ( nuit sur Mariposa)
J8: Mariposa - Yosemite ( nuit dans yosemite)
J9: Yosemite par Tiago Pass (nuit a Lee Vining)
J10: Lee Vining - Monolake - bodie -Mammoth (nuit a Olancha)
J11: Olancha - Death Valley ( Nuit a Las Vegas)
J12: Las Vegas ( Nuit a Las Vegas)
J13: Las Vegas - Zion Park (nuit près de Bryce Canyon)
J14: Bryce Canyon ( nuit dans Bryce ou a la sortie)
J15: Bryce Canyon - Capitol Reef - (nuit a Moab)
J16: Moab - Arches NP - Canyonland (nuit a Page)
J17:Page - Glen Canyon - Lac Powell - Rainbow bridge (nuit près de monument valley)
J18: Monument valley ( nuit près de Chinie, canyon de chelly)
J19: Canyon de Chelly - Petrified Forest (Nuit a Williams)
J20: Williams - Grand Canyon ( Nuit sur Williams)
J21: Visite de la route 66 entre Williams et Las Vegas ( nuit a Las Vegas)
J22: Visite entre Las Vegas et Los angeles ( nuit a los angeles)
J23: Los angeles ( Nuit a los angeles)
J24: Los angeles - Joshua tree ( Nuit a san diego)
J25: San Diego ( Nuit A los angeles)
Voici mon itinéraire, donc si vous pouviez me dire s'il est réalisable ainsi que les changement a apporté comme prolonger des étapes en rajouter ou enlever certaine étapes car identiques a d'autre.
J'attend avec impatiente vos commentaires et suggestions afin d'améliorer mon pojet
si en fonction des étapes vous pouvez me conseiller différentes choses a voir ou a faire cela m'aiderai beaucoup.
Vous en remerciant par avance, j'attend vos réponse avec impatience.
GAETAN
Grosso modo en regardant vite fait, les jours 16, 17, 18 me semble impossible, car tu roules mais tu ne fais rien d'autre. Le Rainbow Bridge c'est six heures minimum A/R, alors dans cette journée je ne vois pas comment tu peux faire.
Moab, Arches, Canyonland et dormir à Page, alors là je ne comprends rien. Tu passes par où si tu retournes sur MV le lendemain?
Tu aimes les zigzags car tu vas au GC le J20, je ne pige vraiment pas ton circuit. Doit y avoir moyen de faire mieux, de gagner du temps pour visiter les sites et faire surtout moins de KM.
En partant de Moab tu peux faire Mesa Verde, lieu incontournable pour avoir un réel aperçu de ses habitations indiennes.
De Mesa Verde tu peux aller sur Canyon de Chelly ou passer par Monument Valley et y rester deux nuits, la première c'est le jour de l'arrivée en soirée, la seconde c'est pour repartir sur Page, faire Antelope Canyon au passage puis retenir les billets de bateaux pour aller sur Rainbow le lendemain.
De Page tu peux rejoindre le Grand Canyon.Du Grand Canyon ==> Las Vegas par une bonne journée de route.
Cette partie de voyage me semble moins perturbée que ce que tu as mis sur ton topic, si ce n'est la descente sur Chelly qui va t'obliger à reprendre une partie de la route pour remonter sur Monument Valley.
Il faut penser à la route pas toujours facile dans cette région, kilométrage limité et pas question de faire autrement car Starsky et Hutch veillent au grain.
Il faut vraiment revoir la copie.
Pour 25 jours, c'est dommage de passer aussi vite partout;
ça manque de rigueur et de logique..
J2: ça va trop vite et tu montes trop au nord pour une premiere nuit
J4 et 5: tu ne restes pas assez de temps a SF
J10 mamoth Lake ou Olancha???? ce n'est pas tout a fait au même endroit
J15 si tu visites Capitol reed, tu ne dors pas a Moab... ou alors si tu dors a Moab tu ne visites pas Capitol Reef...🤪
J16 bonne chance au niveau du timing😐
J17 idem (avant tout tu devrais te renseigner du temps que dure la petite sortie sur le lac pour aller a rainbow bridge😛)
J18:là tu casses TON rythme
J19: tu le reprends😮😮 ça va trop vite
en résumé... tu n'as pas trop tenu compte des distances réelles, des vrais temps de route, et des temps de visite..
Tu as alignés les points géographiques de manière assez logique... mais tout va beaucoup trop vite, ce qui entraine donc certaines impossibilités techniques pour faire les visites🙂
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
Merci pour ta réponse en sachant que c'est une 1ère ébauche et que je connais pas les USA c'est logique qu'il y a des disfonctionnement, donc je tient compte de tes conseils afin d'améliorer cela. si jamais pour les jours15 a 20 tu a une idée de parcours hésité pas a me le proposer, car sur se ke tu me donne tu me dit d'aller juqu'a mesa verde mais ducoup il n'y a plus Arches NP, Canyonland et pétrified forest donc si tu pouvas développer ton idée de trajet pour ses 5 jours en m'envoyant un itinéraire pour ses jours la, si celui ci dure 1 ou 2 jours de plus c pas grave.
merci encore de ta réponse et a bientot.
GAETAN
Merci Fabienne pour ta réponse.
Dc toi pour le J2 tu me conseillerais de m'arretter ou? en sachant que le J3 je souhaiterais arriver pas trop tard sur SF
autrement pr le J10 je comptais partir de lee vining pour visiter bodie et monolake, ensuite rouler et aller visiter un peu mammoth puis reprendre la route pour aller dormir sur olancha, cela est possible ou pas réalisable. Si c'est pas réalisable ou je doit dormir et ds se K la j'ai le temps le lendemain de visiter death valley et aller dormir sur las vegas?
sinon entre le J15 et J20 tu me conseillerais quoi comme itinéraire en sachant que j'aimerais visiter( capitol reef, arches NP Canyonland, page, rainbow bridge, monument valley canyon de chelly petrified forest et le grd canyon.
Dans l'attente de ta réponse je te remercie d'avance pour tes précieux conseils.
GAETAN
Comment qu'il n'y a plus Arches et Canoynland? Et le passage à Moab, c'est quoi? Il faut trois jours sur Moab en venant de Capitol Reef pour faire ces magnifiques parcs autour de Moab.
Tu devrais acheter une carte et bien regarder les lieux que tu veux visiter, cela va t'aider pour le montage de ce voyage.
Ok peut tu me consacrer 5 min de ton tps stp en me détaillant l'itineraire ke tu voi entre j15 et J20 car comme tu me le di je n'ai pas de carte et je voi pas bien dans kel sens tu me conseille de faire l'itinéraire dc si tu pouvais me le détailler jour après jour merci bcp d'avance.
sinon en se ki concerne la carte qu'elle carte acheter et ou l'acheter, merci bcp pr tes réponse.
GAETAN
Bonjour,
Si tu n'as pas de carte il est inutile de te proposer n'importe quel circuit.
Une carte est la 1° condition d'établir un circuit et certainement aux USA !!!
Regarde pour un Michelin "Ouest USA" ou un RandMcNally dans les librairies😉
Pour trouver une bonne carte de l'ouest avec au minimum du détail, tu vas dans les magasins Majuscule, sans faire de pub, je ne sais pas s'il y en a un à Rennes, mais autrement dans toute bonne librairie tu dois trouver.
Pour le sens, tu passes par LV puis Zion et Bryce. Donc tu continues la 12 qui te mène sur Capitol Reef avec au passage de magnifiques stops à faire. Ensuite tu roules sur Moab où tu pourras visiter Arches et Canyonland. Après direction le sud sur Mesa Verde (Cortez) puis Chelly, mais étant donné que tu auras vu Mesa Verde, je ne sais pas si cela vaut le détour.
Autrement de Mesa Verde tu vas sur Monument Valley avec au passage d'autres beautés à faire.
Puis la route classique sur Page, Grand Canyon et LV.
mais, il va falloir reduire tes 'envies" de visites... tu es trop gourmand....
Alors, je te dirais bien pour une première fois de ne pas aller a Canyon de Chelly et Petrified forest.C'est trop exentré par rapport au reste du parcours.
Tu devrais rester 3 jours a Moab, comme te l'a préconisé Vilca..
Pour ta journée Yosemite- Death Valley... on ne fait pas un petit tour dans le coin...
A Mammoth il n'y a rien a visiter... c'est un village de sports d'hiver...
A Lee vining non plus.
Par contre pour Bodie, il y a une route d'accès assez longue... du fait qu'il y en a une partie non pavée et pas specialement rigolotte avec une berline.
Alors tu zzzzzzzz a Mamoth si tu veux, puis le lendemain matin, tu visites Bodie et tu fais un petit pic nic vers Mono Lake... tu repredns la 395 et tu zzzzzzzzzz a Lone Pine...
et hop, le lendemain Death Valley
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
Donc si je comprend tu me conseille plus d'aller voir mesa verde mais de ne pas aller au canyon de chelly car c'est la meme chose??
et petrified forest vo til le coup de faire un detour
qu'elle st les truc sympa a voir ds ses différents lieux
merci pour tes réponse et je vais me remettre au travail pour pondre un nouveau itinéraires dont je vous ferais part dans quelques jours.
merci
GAETAN
Non ce n'est pas la même chose, deux sites ne peuvent pas être identiques, ils ont chacun leurs intérêts. Mais vu la route qu'il faut faire pour aller de Moab à Chelly puis Monument valley, passer par Mesa Verde qui est The Must de la région est certainement préférable qu'une longue descente sur Chelly et ensuite remonter, tout cela ne se fait pas en une journée mais trois.
Ceci dit, tout est possible quand on passe de dix à douze heures dans la bagnole mais que fais tu des sites que tu ne pourras visiter? C'est tout de même dommage de faire ce trajet et de visiter à la japonaise, je te fais la photo en passant, clic clic et je repars😕.
Dans l'ouest il faut prendre son temps pour découvrir des merveilles, il faut revenir plusieurs fois pour bien appréhender la région, et puis la première fois te permet de voir que les distances, la fatigue du décalage, et les nombreux sites ne se font pas comme ça.
Pour ton J2 et J3, il faut prendre plus de temps... il y a plusieurs trucs que tu peux faire en allant de santa Barbara à SF : je te conseille le Hearst Castle (2ème site visité en Californie) : c'est à côté de la ville de San Siméon. C'est assez sympa dans le genre grande baraque à couper le souffle!
Il ya le "julia pfeiffer burns state park" où tu dois faire un arrêt : pas longtemps mais juste pour voir la cascade tomber dans la mer. Puis un arrêt à Point Lobos (à peu près au niveau de Carmel), c'est superbe. Surtout, prendre la highway 1, la vue est incomparable!
Sinon, tu peux passer vite sur Monterey (à part l'aquarium éventuellement!).
Bref, ce serait dommage d'aller trop vite sur cette partie là car les paysages sont vraiment plus que sympas et tu pourras voir des loutres, lions et éléphants de mer quasiment à coup sur sur les plages!
Je prépare présentement un voyage d'environ 25 jours dans l'ouest américain avec mon conjoint. Nous partirons à la mi-janvier, les dates exactes sont encore à…
Merci de me doner vos avis;J'ai reservé a san francisco 3 nuit a l'hotel majestic pour 144€ les 3 nuits et a yosemite au cyrry village pour 2nuits 135€.…
Voila, je me suis penché sur l itineraire que jaimerai faire aux etats unis peut etre l année prochaine. Est ce que vous pouvez deja me dire si le deroulement…
Comme beaucoup de personnes, je rêve de faire une boucle dans l'ouest dans USA. J'ai regardé les itinéraires possibles et les distances entre les différents…
Nous partons 2 semaines en fevrier avec deux enfants en bas age. Ci dessous ma premiere ébauche d itinéraire. n hésitez pas a me faire part de toutes vos…
salut a tous
je prepare un tour du monde et je recherche des bons plans pour les logements aux etats unis
avez vous des petits prix a me partager svp
merci
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!
