J'espère ne pas faire de doublon, mais je n'ai pas trouvé de réponses à mes questions dans les posts existants.
Je pars en californie du 19 juillet au 5 août avec mon copain. On passera les 10 premiers jours à San Diego, puis le reste en remontant en voiture à L.A. et jusqu'à San Francisco. Je connais SD et SF mais pas/peu los angeles, ni la route de LA à SF. Ca se fait en 1 jour non stop. Mais j'aimerais prendre le temps de visiter les différentes villes en chemin pendant 2 à 4 jours. Il y a une route qui longe la côte, ça doit être magnifique. J'aimerais aussi voir les villes de rêve comme santa monica, santa barbara, Beverly Hills, Santa Cruz, Palm Springs, etc...
J'aimerais voir de beaux paysages, faire de jolies photos et voir des choses drôles sans passer par des tours operators ou autres (villas de stars, lieux de tournages, plages typiquement californiennes, etc...) M'amuser quoi! Il me restera SD et SF pour la culture:)
Donc, que me recommandez vous ? Choses à voir, à faire, lieux par lesquels passer??
Je vous remercie d'avance! En échange je suis incollable sur san diego si vous avez besoin d'idées:)
Je te conseille vivement de passer 2-3 jours à visiter la côte entre LA et SF, en prenant la CA1 avec en particulier : Hearst Castle Big Sur Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP Monterey Carmel
Il y a plein de points de vue superbes sur cette route.
Je laisse aux autres forumeurs te dire quoi visiter à LA et dans les environs (je ne suis pas un grand fan de cette ville bien que les RHCP soit originaires de la cité des anges 🙂).
que nous conseilles tu comme point de chute en LA et SF pour passer une nuit?
car on essaie de faire notre iitineraire et on aimerai s arrêter à mi chemin entre ces deux villes mais dans un coin sympa ;)😎
sky
Tout dépend de votre programme. Si vous visitez beaucoup la première journée, Morro Bay peut êtr une option. Sinon, le mieux à mon avis, c'est autour de Pfeiffer Big Sur Sp : de là, tu peux visiter Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey...
perso cet été je fais L.A to SF via la route "one", celle quui longe la cote.
J'ai prévu 2 stop entre LA et SF, un vers santa barbara et l'autre ds le coin de carmel / monterey.
par contre si certain qui ont deja connu cette experience peuvent nous indiquer qq hotels bon rapport qalité / prix car les 2 villes que j'ai cité sont très touristique et assez chere qd mm.
Pour le moment, j'ai prévu lors de mes 2 etapes de m'arreter dans des motel 6, j'ai pas encore reserver mais vu le prix des motel 6 comparé aux autres hotels.....
Après ce n'est pas comparable certes et tout dépend de ce que l'on recherche 😉
Sinon, Solvang est une petite ville typiquement danoise assez originale avec ses moulins à vents qui mérite d'y faire un passage mais sans devoir s'y éterniser pour autant.
Je sais que c'est pas un hotel "petit budget", mais pour notre étape a monterey, on a reservé a cet hotel qui semble fort sympathique si on se base aux photos
http://www.thesanctuarybeachresort.com/
Superbe hôtel, madseb ! Et la situation a l'air exceptionnelle : juste au bord de l'océan 😎
Merci pour l'adresse, je viens de l'ajouter à mes favoris... On ne sait jamais, peut-être qu'un jour je repasserai par là.
Bonjour,
Nous avons pris la route "1" entre San Francisco et Los Angeles et ça vaut vraiment le coup. Partis de San Francisco, nous nous sommes arrêtés manger à Monterey puis sommes descendus à Carmel (très jolie petite ville). Nous avons continué ensuite jusqu à San Luis Obispo pour y passer la nuit (au Peach Tree Inn, sympatique petit hôtel, très bon accueil, chambre correcte, 97$la nuit, lit king size, pt dèj inclus). Sur la route, il y a de très nombreux stops avec des "view points" d ou tu pourras faire de très belles photos. Le lendemain, nous avons repris la route jusqu à LA.
Nous partons également vers le 12 juillet avec notre fils à San Francisco et allons descendre jusqu'à L.A. par la 1.
Nous connaissons déjà cette route et je déconseille de la faire en 1 journée car il y a plein de choses sympas à voir, bien évidemment
Monterrey, Carmel, Big Sur, le chateau de Randolf Hearst (dans le genre délire..).
Pendant qu'on y est, allez faire un tour au Madonna Inn (109 chambres toutes d'un thême différent) à San Luis Obispo http://www.madonnainn.com/tour/index.asp. Peut être pas pour y dormir car les prix sont assez élevés mais pour faire une visite
d'un gros délire où beaucoup de gens de tous âges viennent passer leur "honeymoon"..
Sinon la côte rocheuse est magnifique, vous verrez des phoques se prélasser et si vous vous arrétez, des mouettes et des écureuils viendront quémander une friandise !!
Il y a aussi Cayucos, petite ville dont la rue principale ressemble etrangement à celles des Western avec saloon.... et qui possede une belle plage avec des charmants motels à prix abordables.
À L.A, je recommande pour le fun, d'aller aux Studios Universal http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/park_overview.html, et bien sûr, faire un tour en bus et se promener sur Hollywood Bd, Sunset bd..rues mythiques.. J'ai un petit faible pour Melrose Avenue, rue commercante avec des boutiques assez déjantées.. Par contre, je ne peux recommander d'hôtels dans le centre à prix abordables et si vous avez des tuyaux, n'hésitez pas.😉
Lorsque tu fais quelque chose, sache que tu auras contre toi ceux qui voulaient faire la même chose, ceux qui voulaient faire le contraire et l'immense majorité de ceux qui ne voulaient rien faire. CONFUCIUS
J'avais fait également la route de Los Angeles à San Francisco en visitant toute la côte sur la Pacific Coast Highway.
Je doute que tu puisses le faire en une journée. Si tu veux rejoindre SF le plus rapidement possible, il faut prendre la I-5 North principalement et tu toucheras SF en 5h30 ou 6h. C'est le plus rapide mais le moins intéressant côté visite...
Alors si tu maintiens de longer la côte :
Mes coups de coeur perso : Santa Barbara, Carmel, Monterey
Hearst Castle est à voir aussi (dans le genre luxe à outrance à l'américaine, tu seras servie)
Sinon, je te conseille vivement de faire la "17 mile drive" à partir de Carmel pour rejoindre Monterey. Comme son nom l'indique c'est une route qui fait 17 mile, divers stops sont proposés. Tu te ballades en pleine nature, puis longeant des villas démentes, des plages de sable blanc, des sites avec des vues imprenables, etc... Tu en sauras plus à http://www.pebblebeach.com/page.asp?id=1241
Il faut payer genre 8$ par voiture si mes souvenirs sont bons mais ça vaut le détour, et it's so romantic !!
Sinon concernant Los Angeles, il y a Santa Monica : Third Street Promenade (surtout le soir où tu peux trouver diverses animations, des saltimbanques, etc), The Pier (avec sa grande roue), Venice Beach, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades à visiter.
De Third Street Promenade, si tu remontes la rue "Wilshire Boulevard", tu rejoindras Beverly Hills et tomberas à coup sûr sur la fameuse "Rodeo Drive"
Il y a le sunset boulevard et le Chineese Theater aussi, Brentwood (quartiers chics où sont logés pas mal de stars)
Côté shopping, à Beverly Hills, j'aime beaucoup un mall qui s'appelle "The Grove at LA", ce mall est en plein air (ce qui diffère de tous les mall enfermés dans du béton), avec une fontaine sympa, des restaus sympas, un petit train, encore une fois ça peut-être romantique..
Si tu veux faire des économies côté shopping, fais un détour sur la route te menant à Santa Barbara à "Camarillo Premium Outlets" (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=20) où sont concentrés au même endroit 120 magasins de grandes marques qui vendent leurs articles à des prix défiants toute concurrence.. Mais comme tu es incollable sur San Diego, tu dois certainement connaître les Premium Outlets puisqu'il y en a un aussi là-bas.
Côté hôtels à LA, je te déconseille de te loger à Santa Monica (hors de prix) encore moins à Beverly Hills ...
J'avais écrit une réponse à cactus31 sur son post "Hôtel près de l'aéroport à Los Angeles" (http://voyageforum.com/voyage/etats-unis_hotel_pres_aeroport_los_angeles_D1748655/), au sujet d'un site où tu peux trouver des hôtels vraiment pas chers. Je les ai expérimentés sur LAX airport et sur Anaheim uniquement pour l'instant.
Pour les autres villes le long de la côte, je ne peux t'aider car j'avais été à l'aventure et n'avais pas réservé d'hôtel.. Aussi, je prenais ce qu'il y avait de disponible, et c'était pas souvent les moins chers malheureusement...
Un conseil : ne fais pas la route de nuit pour rejoindre SF surtout après Monterey, il y a une tonne de virages biscornus, de falaises, des coins paumés.. J'avais flippé car si je tombais en panne le soir, en plus je n'avais pas pris de téléphone portable... Alors munis-toi d'un téléphone et d'une carte prépayée, on ne sait jamais..
J'ai lu te concernant que tu avais fait le lac Tahoe, nous projetons d'y aller au mois de Juillet, peux tu me dire ce que tu as pensé de cet endroit. Merci beaucoup . 🙂
Et merci pour tes précieux renseignements concernant la route San Francisco-Los Angeles : rien ne vaut l'expérience des autres !!!
Mais de rien, si je peux aider c'est avec grand plaisir.😉🙂
Pour Lake Tahoe, c'était la suite de mon road trip après la côte. Je suis partie de SF en passant par Napa Valley pour faire le wine train (eh oui, j'aime les bons vins...😊) puis direction South Lake Tahoe à la frontière du Nevada.
J'y suis allée en décembre en plein hiver, c'était pour profiter de la neige et j'y suis restée que 2 jours.. Alors malheureusement, je n'ai pas pu visiter tout Lake Tahoe (c'est immense !) car j'ai voulu profiter des stations de ski plutôt, et le soir des casinos...
Mais l'endroit m'avait charmé côté nature et je pense qu'en été, le lac offre des tas de possibilités et de lieux "magiques"..
Un grand merci à vous tous pour ces bons conseils... Je suis pressée d'y être!! Au final, je pense que je vais réserver 3/4 des hôtels à l'avance, tout en laissant un peu de flex pour les surprises. Peut-on "déréserver" les hotels facilement comme en france, où l'on ne fait que des "pré-réservations"? Ou faut-il toujours donner son numéro de CB pour réserver?
Avez-vous des conseils particuliers pour la location de voiture? J'ai 24 ans, et mon copain aura 27. J'imagine que je ferai l'objet d'un surcoût:) Pour l'instant, les sites français proposent 300-400€ pour 2 semaines pour une voiture de base. Je pense que c'est le meilleur qu'on puisse trouver?
Merci pour ta réponse jmoeana !!!
Je me ferai un plaisir de mettre en ligne des photos du Lac Tahoe en été à notre retour, il est vrai que l'endroit à l'air de toute beauté 😎 Je suppose que sous un paysage de neige il en était de même !
La route 1 entre LA et San Francisco sur la cote pacifique est fermée apres Carmel... Je ne sais pas jusqu'a quand mais elle nous a fait faire un detour…
Je pars au mois d'aout a san fransisco et j ai 2 jours (une nuit entre deux) pour faire le trajet en voiture jusqu'à Hollywood... on aimerais bien prendre la…
Auriez-vous un bon plan d'hôtel sympa sur la route 66 svp?? C'est mon dernier hôtel et je ne sais lequel choisir... En fait, nous quittons Los Angeles à J+1…
Re Bonjour Comme j'ai du le dire ds un post precedant, nous faisons le tour du monde toute la petite famille. Avec notre billet d'avion Oneworld pour nous…
J'avais prévu un arrêt à Barstow pour faire l'outlet mais après avoir trouvé de vieux commentaires, j'ai compris que Barstow tombait en désuétude et qu'il…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
