Je souhaite prendre la fameuse route 1 entre LA et SF lors de mon prochain voyage pour avoir un aperçu de la Californie océanique.
J'aimerais avoir vos témoignages: quel souvenir en gardez-vous?
Les virages ne sont-ils pas lassants, à force? Ne faut-il pas que j'alterne un peu avec la route 101? Y-a-t-il des portions que je peux zapper sans regrets?
Et la grande question: combien de jours me conseillez-vous pour faire cette route?
Je compte m'arrêter à Santa Barbara, Big Sur (bien sûr!), Monterrey, Carmel et faire la 17-mile Drive. Je ne pense pas visiter Hearst Castle ni Solvang.
Si je peux, je me poserais une demi-journée pour visiter l'aquarium de Monterrey, il paraît qu'il est fabuleux.
Bonjour,
Nous en revenons par contre nous avons effectué le parcours SF vers LA en 2 jours avec nuit à San Simeon (ville à côté de Hearst Castle. 1ère journée, arrêt à Monterey et visite du superbe aquarium, avec passage par la 17 miles drives (9 $ le passage), franchement elle est belle mais tu as d'autres passages sur la route 1 largement plus beaux et gratuits. A partir de Monterey jusqu'à Santa Barbara les paysages sont superbes. Sur certaines plages tu rencontres des otaries et au nord de San Simeon tu auras l'occasion d'admirer un groupe d'éléphants de mer (impressionnant, la taille). De Los Angeles jusqu'à Santa Barbara, grandes plages et très belles demeures. Au nord de Santa Barbara jusqu'à San Simeon, tu traverseras des villes qui ont gardé une grande influence hispanique.
De San Francisco à Monterey, nous avons eu le brouillard donc difficile à décrire.
Il faut en effet prendre en considération que dans la partie nord tu trouveras du brouillard jusqu'à environ 9h30 et à partir de 17h30.
En ce qui concerne la route, de LA jusqu'à San luis Obispo tu auras de nombreux passages à plusieurs voies. Sinon la route se fait bien, tu t'arrêteras souvent vu la beauté des paysages.
grand souvenir . à faire absolument .
3 jours sont necessaires pour la faire à fond .
passer à Solvang, cela vaut le coup .
la route n'est pas lassante et il y a moins de virages que dans le lot .
à +
philippe du lot
l'interressant dans ces forums c'est que les avis sont souvent partagés ou contrastés
aillant fait cette route en juin j'ai été déçu par cette route tant décrite
déja (et comme souvent )j'ai quitté SF dans le brouillard et les paysages essemblaient plus au nord de l'écosse
en plus arrivé à big sur humm......je m'attendais à autre chose😕
j'avais tellement lu de bien sur cette région que.....
faut dire aussi qu'a SF je me suis gelé pendant 3 jours
après prismo beach tu peux reprendre l'autoroute car la vue regorge de plateformes pétrolières, pas vraiment le top de mon séjour de 2 semaines.
ps: ne pas oublier de faire le plein à monterrey car les stations services sont rares le long de la cote.
quant a la question combien de jours pour visiter cette partie
tout dépend du nombre de jours de ton séjour et des autres visites que tu as l'intention de faire
nous avons également fait la route en 2 jours, en ne prenant que la 1.
Les virages sont un peu fatigants pour Big Sur, mais le point de vue est très beau, nous avions un grand soleil.
Nous n'avons pas fait l'aquarium de Monterey car nous avons trouvé les prix trop élevés pour l'intérêt qu'il sucitait en nous.
Nous avons dormi le 1er soir à Moro Bay, diner dans un super resto avec vue sur la mer enveloppée de brume, c'est un souvenir gravé en nous cette atmophère.
Nous avons fait une pause à Santa Barbara et Carmel : charmant !
Nous avions prévu de dormir dans la région mais nous avons finalement tracé sur LA.
" Certes, un rêve de beignet, c'est un rêve, pas un beignet. Mais un rêve de voyage, c'est déjà un voyage..."
Merci Cédric. C'est vrai que je vais faire cette route en mai 2008. J'ai prévu 2 jours. Je pense que j'improviserai pour l'étape de la première journée, en fonction de l'endroit où on se trouvera.
Tu as prévu de faire ton voyage à quel moment ?
Hello
J'en garde un magnifique souvenir....ce bout de route est vraiment à faire!
A certains endroits, y'a parfois des paysages qui font penser à la Bretagne...les pélicans en plus!
Have a nice trip and enjoy!
Bien amicalement
Corine
Je suis de l'avis de fphilippe : 3 jours pour la one c'est bien.
Si j'étais toi, je ne prendrais pas du tout la 101. Entre Santa Barbara et Moro Bay, nous avons même pris des petites routes (Lake Cachuma, Santa Ynez, Solvang) qui traversent un beau paysage avec des ranchs.
Pour apprécier au maximum Big Sur, il faut s'arrêter et descendre au bord de l'océan, il y a des plages magnifiques. Le State Park Julia Pfeiffer Burns est une merveille.
A la place des 17 miles Drive, je te suggère plutôt Point Lobos State Reserve (à côté de Carmel), c'est LA nature et perso j'ai trouvé ça bien plus intéressant que d'aller apercevoir les grandes maisons des riches du coin (c'est mon opinion à moi que j'ai 😎)
L'aquarium de Monterey est en effet super (grace surtout aux loutres de mer) mais si tu n'as pas le temps, ce ne sera pas un drame car en France nous en avons d'aussi intéressants.
Tatie
" Voyager est un triple plaisir : l'attente, l'éblouissement et le souvenir " Ilka Chase
Je compte beaucoup sur cet itinéraire pour observer la faune sauvage depuis la côte (loutres de mer, otaries, éléphants de mer...).
Je pense que je ferai la balade en bateau depuis Monterrey pour aller voir les cétacés. Mais je ne sais pas ce qu'on voit à cette période de l'année (baleines, dauphins, orques...?)... Il y a des chances de revenir bredouilles...
Je souhaite prendre la fameuse route 1 entre LA et SF lors de mon prochain voyage pour avoir un aperçu de la Californie océanique.
De mon point de vue, un juste milieu peut être de panacher l'A1 et la 101 si ton temps est limité.
Partir de LAX un jeudi matin. Prendre la 101 jusqu'à San Luis Obisco (SLO), sans perdre de temps, excepté peut-être au Nord de Los Angeles (où il y a des plages pour surfeur le long de l'A1) et 2h à Santa Barbara (mission, warf -mais le nouveau qui remplace l'ancien qui a brulé, est moins typique que le précédent).
Passer la soirée à SLO, où se tient à partir de 18h le jeudi soir un marché paysan extraordinaire, avec beaucoup d'ambiance typique (barbeques, orquestres de tous genres, ...) et des fruits extraordinairement succulents en été. (en dehors de l'été, le marché se tient aussi, mais est beaucoup plus quelconque).
A SLO, il y a aussi une belle mission que l'on peut visiter (ferme assez tôt, sauf messes)
Le lendemain rejoindre Monterey, cette fois impérativement par l'A1 : très belle côte, Big Sur (ne pas trop fantasmer sur Big Sur, ça peut être relativement décevant), forêts de séquoïas. L'arret au Hearst Castle à San Siméon est une option possible, mais pas indispensable du tout (c'est rococo, mais c'est ce qui plait aux américains).
La route tourne beaucoup c'est vrai, mais il ne faut pas exagérer. Elle reste habituellement assez roulante (je l'ai plusieurs faite de nuit à grande vitesse, ce qui je le reconnais, n'est pas très raisonnable). En fait, ce sont les vues sur l'océan qui sont impressionnantes. On aperçoit parfois des baleine en fin d'hiver. Mais attention après une période de pluie, il arrrive que cette route soit fermée pour cause de glissement de terrain). Les différents viaducs de cette portion sont aussi pittoresques.
Avant d'arriver à Monterey, passer 2-3 heures au Point Lobo State Park. Y picniquer éventuellement au milieu des oiseaux ou des phoques.
Passer 1 h ou 2 à Carmel (Mission à ne pas manquer -mais ferme tôt-, plage sympa -pas pour se baigner mais pour y buller ou prendre le soleil-).
Coucher à Monterey.
Visiter le lendemain matin le warf, l'aquarium (cher !!!). L'après-midi faire (l'idéal c'est en vélo -ça se loue, cher- mais c'est très bien aussi en auto) le tour de la presqu'île de Monterey (et la partie mer du "17 mile drive").
Rejoindre ensuite SFO le plus rapidement possible (prendre la 101 au début, puis la 280 au Sud de San Jose), en évitant les heures de bouchon (moins en été) aux heures d'entrée et de sortie de bureau, à san Jose (mais on y peut prendre la voie carpool si on n'est pas seul en auto) et à San Francisco.
On peut s'arreter en route à Gilroy pour faire ses achats (Nike, Gap, Timberlan, ... et des centaines d'autres magasins d'usine) à prix super. Mais éviter le Samedi et le Dimanche. Il y a trop de monde.
De l'Alaska à l'Arizona : contrastes. Voir https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4396533#4396533
Dans la vie, le pire qui pourrait nous arriver serait qu'il ne nous arrive rien !
J'ai fait Santa Barbara -> Los Angeles en Mustang V6 4L cabriolet rouge, cheveux au vent avec 3 potes dans la voiture.
Souvenir inoubliable, mon meilleur souvenir de voyage même. Mais c'est plus pour le symbole que pour les paysages qui, certes, sont très jolis (la côte est très jolie surtout avec une lumière rasante en fin de journée) mais ne méritent pas qu'on prenne la route juste pour ça.
J'ai fait pris la 101 puis la 1 ce qui m'a fait passer par Malibu et Santa Monica.
Si tu dois prendre la route, c'est clair que tu ne le regrettera pas !
Bon voyage.
EDIT : perso je passerais deux jours à Santa Barbara histoire de faire States Street ainsi que la cour de justice sans se presser en alternant avec la plage et les petits restaurants.
a propos de cet itinéraire, y a t'il des endroits sympas pour faire du kayak de mer car moi aussi je vais faire ce trajet debut septembre en 2 jours, et aussi des spots pas trop dangereux pour faire du bodybord.
merci...
la vie est faite pour être vécu, pas d'hésitation, pas de regret, vivre tout à 100%
je suis navrée, je ne me rappelle pas ça remonte à 2 ans, mais je vais essayer de chercher dans mes notes.
le restaurant "brumeux" c'est en fait un délicieux restaurant seafood (mais qui a aussi de la viande évidément) mais qui a une vue superbe sur la bay, son rocher, et qui - quand on y est allés - était entouré de brume ça faisait très "chien des baskerville".
" Certes, un rêve de beignet, c'est un rêve, pas un beignet. Mais un rêve de voyage, c'est déjà un voyage..."
C'est exactement ce que l'on va faire: panacher 1 et 101.
Je suis un gars de la Méditerranée, alors je prendrai le temps qu'il faut pour rencontrer le Pacifique!
J'irai même voir les baleines à Monterrey si je peux.
On projette de partir en californie l'année prochaine et on va faire un trajet Los Angeles - San Francisco. On peut rendre la voiture de location à LA et aller…
Je prévois de faire le trajet Los Angeles - San Francisco, en deux jours. Je crois qu'il y a une route côtière qui permet de voir de magnifiques paysages au…
Je projette de descendre un peu sur la route cotière entre San Francisco et Los Angelès cet été, mais j'ai lu qu'il y avait eu un glissement de terrain…
Je souhaitais faire cet été la highway 1 le long de la côte, depuis Monterey jusqu'à Cambria. Je lis par ci par là, que la route est encore bloquée. Peut-on…
Au départ, j'avais prévu un trajet de San francisco à San simeon SP campground, ce qui faisait environ 5h de route. mais je n'avais rien prévu d'autres de la…
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?
