A mon arrivée de Paris à SLC (14h), je passe 1 nuit sur place et pars ensuite sur Torrey pour (1nuit) via l'I15 et l'UT 24 (soit environ 3h45 de route). Le lendemain, je quitte Torrey pour rejoindre Bryce Canyon (2 nuits).
Je compte partir tôt de SLC pour profiter de Capitol Reef (nous louons un véhicule SUV pour 2 personnes).
1/ Ainsi, Que peut-on voir sur Salt lake City durant quelques heures? dans la ville ou ses environs proches? Y a t-il des incontournables à voir en si peu de temps, sans courir car nous aurons fait le le trajet en avion peu de temps après?
(nous souhaitons surtout nous balader et non faire des visites de musées ou autres..)
2/ Dès notre arrivée sur Torrey, nous souhaitons faire Capitol Reef en commençant par:
- Panorama Point menant à Gooseneck Overlook et Sunset Point
- Fruita Oasis sur l'UT 24 (école, ferme mormonne..)
- Scenic Drive du parc (13 km) en partant du Visitor center afin de nous rendre au départ des randonnées:
1/ Cohab Canyon trail (km? durée?)
2/ Cassidy Arch (km? durée?)
3/ Frying Pan Trail (km? durée?)
Sur des guides ou sites ou forums, les durées et distances des trails différent.
Ex: Cohab canyon: 2h ou 3h30 A/R? 6 ou 7 km A/R?
Cassidy Arch: 1h30 ou 2h30 A/R?
Frying Pan trail (3-4 ou 5H? ) 5km A/R ou 8,5 km A/R?
Ainsi, il est difficile pour nous de savoir quelles randos faire d'autant que le Frying Pan Trail semble sublime!!!!! (et pourtant on n'en parle pas beaucoup, !) Elle peut notamment être combinée avec Cohab canyon et cassidy arch...
Quelqu'un les a a t-il faites? vaut-il mieux ne faire que le CoHab Canyon trail et cassidy arch?
Quant au Hickman Bridge, les avis divergent beaucoup: est-ce indispensable de le faire?
y a t-il d'autres randos pas trop longues à faire ou routes à emprunter?
Le lendemain, nous empruntons la Scenic Byway 12 jusqu'à Bryce canyon, route réputée comme étant une des plus belles. A quelle heure faut-il quitter Torrey pour profiter au mieux de la luminosité et des couleurs des paysages?
J'ai lu sur des précédents messages que deux choix étaient conseillés:
1er choix: départ Torrey, UT 24, piste de Notom road, Burr trail (jusque Long canyon: 2h A/R), puis Stricke Valley Overlook (point de vue sur waterpocket Fold), Boulder, Scenic 12 pendant 2h environ jusqu'à Bryce.
2ème choix: départ de Torrey, UT 24, Scenic 12 jusqu'à Boulder, A/R sur Burr Trail (jusque long canyon: 2h A/R), reprendre Scenic 12 jusqu'à Escalante, Devils Garden, (2h A/R environ) puis retour sur Scenic 12 jusque Bryce.
Donc, c'est un choix entre Devil's Garden et Valley overlook.
Selon vous lequel doit-on condamner? J'ai vu aussi que:
"Après Torrey, rejoindre Boulder pour faire la 1ère partie de Burr Trail ( goudronnée sans souci ) . Tu fais l'AR du Long Canyon en moins de 2h00. Superbe scenic road !
A Escalante, autant faire là aussi la 1ère partie de Hole In The Rock juste pour Devils's Garden . Bon ce sera pas la bonne heure mais c'est vraiment sympa et accessible en voiture aussi. ( Encore 2h00 AR )
Ensuite tu t'arrêtes tous les 200m sur la 12 car c'est que du bonheur tout le temps . Tu peux inclure certains trucs pour arriver à Kodachrome vers 17h00 et profiter des couleurs. Faut compter 2h00 quand même pour faire les différents endroits et une petite balade d'1h00 ... Mais vraiment autant y aller à la bonne heure ce serait dommage."
En résumé:
J1: Paris-SLC (arrivée à 14h): Que faire à SLC (1 nuit)
J2: SLC-Torrey (3h45 de route): Que faire à Capitol Reef parmi les 3 randos précitées, les points de vue et la Scenic drive ? (rappel:nous aurons un véhicule SUV)
J3: Scenic Byway 12 (Torrey-Bryce); Combien de telmps faut-il consacrere à cette route, aux arerts et à quelques balades et aller retour en voiture? Pouvez-vous me donner les étapes et arrets s'il vous plaît?
Merci beaucoup. pour info, je pars le 4 juin de paris.
Bonne journée
Sylvie
Si tu veux te balader autour de Salt Lake City tu peux faire un saut sur Antelope Island (voir quelques photos sur mon carnet 2010).
Pour Capitol Reef:
Cohab Canyon: nous avons fait ce canyon mais pas jusqu'au bout, le temps se gâtant franchement. Balade pas mal avec ces rochers "gruyères". Personne sur le trail. De toute façon, tu peux rebrousser chemin quand tu veux.
Hickman Bridge: pas mal aussi, et l'avantage d'être très courte. Après les superbes Arches des environs de Moab (même si, ici, il s'agit d'un "bridge") c'est peut être redondant. Mais le trail est nullement compliqué donc si tu n'as pas beaucoup de temps, c'est facilement faisable.
A part la zone de SLC que je ne connais pas, j'ai mis récemment en ligne sur notre site internet la plupart des endroits que tu cites.
Quant au Hickman Bridge, les avis divergent beaucoup: est-ce indispensable de le faire?
Nous avons bien aimé ; c'est court donc ne te prendra pas trop de temps.
Contrairement à d'autres, la SB12 ne m'a pas trop laissé de souvenirs inoubliables, en tout cas pas la portion Torrey Boulder. Ce que tu peux faire, après s'être renseigné auprès des rangers à Fruita sur la faisabilité, c'est :
Torrey ==> Fruita ==> Nottom Road ==> Burr trail Road ==> arrêt pour Strike Valley Overlook ==> Long Canyon puis Boulder ==> SB12 vers Escalante
Avec un départ de tès bonne heure, je pense que tu peux aussi faire Devil's Garden.
Pour avoir fait tout ce trajet sauf les switchbacks (mais nous avons vu une voiture ordinaire le faire), c'est faisable avec n'importe quelle voiture à condition qu'il n'y ait pas eu d'orages les jours précédents (d'où la demande aux rangers).
Merci, je vais regarder de près ton carnet 2010 concernant antelope Island.
Quant à cohab canyon trail, je vais réfléchir et essayer d'en savoir plus. avis à celles et ceux qui l'ont fait entièrement pour connaître leurs commentaires.
J'attends surtout de savoir ce que ceux qui les ont fait pensent du Frying Pan Trail et de Cassidy arch (cette arche me semble très belle et le Fryng pan trail, au vu de certaines photos, apparaît comme étant un sentier de crête avec des vues panoramqiues sur le canyon....)
Contrairement à d'autres, la SB12 ne m'a pas trop laissé de souvenirs inoubliables, -->> c'est ce que j'avais mis moi aussi en commentaires, mais peut etre que je n'etais pas assez receptif à ce moment là
Torrey ==> Fruita ==> Nottom Road ==> Burr trail Road ==> arrêt pour Strike Valley Overlook ==> Long Canyon puis Boulder ==> SB12 vers Escalante -->> des 3 options qui s'offrent à moi pour cet été (avec cathedral valley et scenic drive) c'est celle qui tient la corde pour le moment; je compte y ajouter lower calf creef pour finir la journee
Merci encore pour tes réponses et je vais dès ce soir consulter avec attention ton site concernant les endroits que je cite.
J'avoure que nous hésitons beaucoup concernant le Hickman Bridge, même si la rando est courte et facile. Cela peut être utile de lever le pied pour se préserver afin d'entreprendre les futures randos sur Bryce où nous passons deux nuits et privilégier une rando moins connue sur capotol reef mais offrant de plus belles vues.
Je voudrais pouvoir faire la scenic drive, les points de vue cités, fruita et une ou deux belles randos.
Pour la Scenic Byway 12, connais tu approximativement, le temps qu'il me faudra pour relier Torrey à Bryce en faisant comme tu me l'as conseillé à savoir?:
"Torrey ==> Fruita ==> Nottom Road ==> Burr trail Road ==> arrêt pour Strike Valley Overlook ==> Long Canyon puis Boulder ==> SB12 vers Escalante
"Avec un départ de très bonne heure, je pense que tu peux aussi faire Devil's Garden."
Que veux-tu dire par très bonne heure? Quelles sont les heures idéales pour faire cette route et avoir de belles couleurs .
Je compte me renseigner auprès des rangers sur l'état de la route comme tu me l'as fort justement conseillé.
Capitol Reef est un site dont nous gardons un excellent souvenir, même sans y faire beaucoup de marches. Nous nous étions contentés d'aller au Bridge en une heure environ.
Nous avons bcp apprécié la Scenic Byway 12, en étant partis de Torrey le matin vers 9 heures.
Je vous conseille d'envisager un petit détour par Kodachrome...
Quant à Salt Lake City, nous y sommes restés environ 2 heures, autour de Temple Square.
connais tu approximativement, le temps qu'il me faudra pour relier Torrey à Bryce en faisant comme tu me l'as conseillé
En utilisant Google Maps, tu aurais pu obtenir 😉 :
Torrey => Fruita : 11,7 mi – environ 16 minutes
Fruita => embranchement Nottom : 10,0 mi – environ 14 minutes
Nottom => pied des switchbacks : 32,7 mi – environ 1 heure 52 minutes
switchbacks => parking pour Strike Valley Overlook : 3,1 mi – environ 12 minutes
Strike => SB12 : 27,0 mi – environ 33 minutes
SB12 => Devil's Garden : 34,0 mi – environ 1 heure 15 minutes
Devil's Garden => Bryce : 70,6 mi – environ 2 heures 10 minutes
Que veux-tu dire par très bonne heure? Quelles sont les heures idéales pour faire cette route et avoir de belles couleurs .
Je parlais de bonne heure en voulant dire "tôt" 😉😎😎😎, pas pour les couleurs mais parce que la journée risque d'être chargée 😄.
Effectivement, je n'ai pas pensé à regarder sur google maps pour ces distances là. 😊. Merci beaucoup.
Nous partirons donc tôt pour avoir le temps de tout faire. Il faut que je parvienne à visualiser le parcours que tu me donnes car j'avais en tête celui qui relie directement Torrey à Bryce, sans passer par Fruita (en faisant l'aller retour sur la Burr trail depuis Boulder).
Je vais de ce pas regarder google maps.
Bonne journée
Sylvie
Je confirme ce que dit Madikéra; j'ai fait cet été l'US12 et Capitol Reef, en regrettant de ne pas avoir plus de temps à y passer; la balade jusqu'à Hickman Bridge nous a bien plu, en fin d'après-midi.
Quant à SLC, 2à 3h suffisent à mon avis autour de Temple Square, car à part les Mormons ...cela dit en arrivant de Paris à 14h heure locale, un peu de repos ne sera pas de trop pour bien attaquer la suite
Merci pour ta réponse. Effectivement, je pense que nous ferons juste une petite balade autour de Temple Square et que nous rentrerons à l'hôtel pour nous reposer avant d'entamer notre épopée tant attendue qui s'annonce haletante et palpitante. ...
Finalement, Hickman Bridge semble faire l'unanimité....à voir...
J'ai trouvé sympa cette petite marche jusqu'à Hickman Bridge car à mon niveau !!!
Même si les paysages ne sont pas époustouflants, ils nous ont laissé de beaux souvenirs.
Merci pour vos renseignements concernant la randonnée menant à l'Hickman Bridge. Je garde cette rando en option dans le cas où nous ne pourrions pas faire Cassidy Arch et Sulphur Creek qui me tentent davantage.
Tout est dans le titre: que feriez-vous, en une demi-journée environ (nous serons partis le matin de Canyonlands et dormirons le soir à Torrey)? Merci!
Suite à une erreur de ma part nous allons arriver à 14h à Miami pour une croisière qui part le lendemain à 19h. Je voudrai visiter la ville mais surtout aller…
Nous partons en road trip dans l'Ouest américain, 20 jours en août 2020 avec nos 3 adolescents. C'est notre 1er long voyage et notre 1ere fois aux USA. Nous…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
