Je prépare un voyage pour le grand ouest au mois de Mars 2015 avec mon amie. Le timing est serré ^^. Cela sera notre première expérience aux USA.
On partirait le Dimanche 1er Mars pour arriver à San Francisco à 17h26
On repartirait le vendredi 13 (même pas peur) de LA à 16h45
Il existe de nombreux sujets sur le thème grand boucle dans l'ouest Americain, mais mon esprit est assez confus sur les destinations , ce qui est faisable ou pas, le moment de la journée idéal pour tel ou tel site etc etc
Je vais donc vous faire une liste de ce que nous voulons voir en priorité....on est bien conscient qu'il faudra faire des choix et qu'on ne pourra pas tout faire.
J1 San Francisco
J2 San Francisco
J3 San Francisco
J4 San Francisco => Arrivée à LV en soirée
Sequoia Nationnal Park si on ne peut pas passer par yosemite car j'ai lu qu'a cette période les routes sont fermées.
Death valley
J5 LV
J6 départ le matin de vegas pour....
Et c'est a partir de la que je suis un peu perdu...
Grand Canyon
Monument Valley
Horseshoe Bend
Lake Powell
(a voir selon les distance Bryce canyon / Arches nationnal park / Zion nationnal park )
J11 Los Angeles
J12 Los Angeles
J13 Los Angeles => Paris
Nous ne souhaitons pas faire de grande randonnée (pas de plus de 2h A/R) , pas de musées ou de studios.
Voila a partir de la si vous avez des conseils pour organiser nos 13 jours à partir des sites que nous souhaitons visiter en priorité.
J1 Arrivée San Francisco - Nuit SF
J2 San Francisco - Nuit SF
J3 San Francisco - Nuit SF
J4 Vol interne San Francisco => LV - Nuit Las Vegas (regarde sur Southwest par exemple)
J5 Las Vegas - Nuit Las Vegas
J6 Las Vegas - Valley Of Fire - Zion - Nuit Springdale
J7 Zion (le matin) - Page (Lake Powell et Horseshoe Bend)
J8: Page (Lower Antelope Canyon) - Monument Valley - Nuit MV ou Mexican Hat
J9: Monument Valley - Grand CAnyon - Nuit Grand Canyon Village ou Tusayan
J10: Grand Canyon - Route 66 - Los Angeles
J11: LA
J12: LA
J13: retour
Exit Bryce, trop de risque de neige. Arches trop loin...
Tu as déjà réservé les avions ou c'est juste une supposition ?
Parce que à peine 10 jours pleins, c'est peut-être pas la meilleure solution de faire SF + LA 🤪
Sauf si la priorité est aux villes et pas aux parcs.
Nous n'avons pas réservés mais c'était la solution pour répondre à nos attentes de faire LA et SF. Nous sommes bien entendu conscient que cela va demander un peu de route. Au niveau avion le moins cher à l'heure actuelle c'est Paris-LA et LA-Paris
Ce qui me fait peur c'est les laisons SF => LV et grand canyon => LA...Faut trouver de quoi s'occuper en passant. j'aime rouler donc aucun problème pour faire les 10h des 2 trajets. Je pense que la route en elle même est a faire. Ce n'est pas comme ne france se taper de l'autoroute sans rien à voir. Mais je lis vos remarques très attentivement.
Nos priorités effectivement sont les grandes villes (LA-SF-LV) et les parcs (Monuments Valley / le grand Canyon / death valley) en priorité. On y retournera pour passer plus de temps à faire des randonnées et autres.
J'ai regardé attentivement votre proposition et au niveau des trajets cela me semble correct. Il n'y a que 2 grosses transitions :
SF => Vegas
et Grand Canyon => LA
J'ai regardé l'avion entre SF et LV et j'ai trouvé a 51€ /personne....1h30 + les douanes au lieu de 10h00 de voiture c'est très intéressant. Après même si la route est longue ca permet de passer par death valley...
Pour SF faut t'il louer une voiture pour visiter ou on peut le faire facilement a pied et en prenant les transports en communs ?
J'ai regardé attentivement votre proposition et au niveau des trajets cela me semble correct. Il n'y a que 2 grosses transitions :
SF => Vegas
et Grand Canyon => LA
J'ai regardé l'avion entre SF et LV et j'ai trouvé a 51€ /personne....1h30 + les douanes au lieu de 10h00 de voiture c'est très intéressant. Après même si la route est longue ca permet de passer par death valley...
Pour SF faut t'il louer une voiture pour visiter ou on peut le faire facilement a pied et en prenant les transports en communs ?
Merci à tous pour vos infos
Bonjour Aurelien,
Avec le peu de temps dont vous disposez, attention, vous allez passer beaucoup de temps sur les routes.
Yosemite n'est pas completement ferme, la Valley reste toujours ouverte. Les chutes d'eau seront au plus fort.
Vous pouvez depuis Yosemite aller a Vegas en contournant par le Sud et en passant par Bakersfield. Vous traverserez ainsi le Mojave Desert. Maintenant, depuis Vegas au Grand Canyon, nous parlons de la South Rim car le Nord sera ferme. Vous pouvez, avec le temps dont vous disposez aller jusqu'a Monument Valley et peut-etre vous arreter a Antelope Canyon. Attention s'il a plu (Beaucoup) dans les 24 heures precedentes le Canyon peut-etre ferme, Les Navajos en decident. A Monument Valley aussi s'il a plu, le parcours peut devenir difficile, et avec une voiture de location, soyez prudent, les COs de location n'autirisent pas le Off Road, hors des routes goudronnees.
Pour votre sejour a San Francisco, louer une voiture, sinon vous perdrez beaucoup de temps pour vos visites. La circulation y est facile, et le parking pas trop complique.
Si cela vous interesse je peux vous aider dans votre visite de la ville et de ses environs.
Amities
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Je voyage à moto dans l’ouest américain depuis trois ans et j’ai visité les régions ciblées dont la Californie en octobre dernier. Et j’y retourne encore en 2015 par un chemin différent.
Les endroits que vous mentionnez se relient très bien dans une grande boucle. Et même en empruntant plusieurs routes parmi les plus belles à parcourir aux USA. En deux semaines de périple, c’est faisable sans faire trop de compromis.
Mais des questions s’imposent :
- Quelle distance vous attendez vous à parcourir dans une journée normale ?
- Et quels sont les endroits qui sont pour vous des incontournables pour ce voyage ?
J’en suis à plusieurs longs voyages à moto aux USA. Et je fais toujours la même erreur de minimiser le temps de parcourir des étapes car tout semble proche sur une carte. Et une carte ne mentionne jamais les limites de vitesse, les réparations de routes sur le trajet, le traffic, etc…. Et une carte ne mentionne surtout pas que vous vous arrêterez partout pour admirer la scène, prendre des photos, respirer l’air, être euphorique dans les grands espaces et n’écouter que le bruit du vent.
Alors oui, vous devez tenir compte des heures d’ensoleillement en mars et oui vous devez savoir que dans l’ouest américain, les paysages sont d’une telle beauté que vous devez vous attendre à stopper tout le temps.
Vous allez recevoir des conseils multiples de gens qui vivent dans la région et d’autres qui s’y rendent régulièrement. Je ne serai pas de valeur ajoutée à cet effet. Mais je vais prendre définitivement position sur ceci, peu importe ce que d’autres en pensent, j’ai assez roulé là-bas pour en être convaincu :
- En deux semaines, il est très difficile de combiner la visite de grandes villes et de plusieurs Parcs nationaux ; ceux qui le font savent qu’on doit y retourner à plusieurs reprises pour se satisfaire qu’on a rien manqué (moi d’ailleurs et j’y retourne à nouveau en 2015);
- L’ouest américain, c’est la montagne, le désert et la mer dans toute leur quintessence; mixer le tout en un voyage de deux semaines oblige des compromis à moins de ne parcourir qu’en éclaireur et on en revient insatisfait.
- Un voyage de deux semaines en Californie impose quelques jours à San Francisco et sa région (Napa, Sonoma), un peu de littoral au nord mais surtout la no 1 jusqu’à Los Angeles, le Parc Yosemite, le Lac Tahoe. Pour les sequoias, si on y tient, il faut faire un choix entre Yosemite (Mariposa Grove) ou le Parc des Sequoias si on veut économiser du temps.
- Un voyage de deux semaines dans les Parcs nationaux du plateau du Colorado (Valley of Fire, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonland, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell un peu de route 66 et j’en passe, ça se fait à partir de Vegas avec retour à Vegas. Faire un voyage de ce genre et couper par exemple un endroit comme Arches est à mon sens criminel. À moins d’être certain d’y retourner. Vous n’avez qu’à examiner les innombrables photos de ce Parc sur le net, les multiples scènes de reportage qui y ont été tournées pour vous en convaincre.
Si par hasard, vous décidiez d’y investir trois semaines au lieu de de deux, alors là mes commentaires seront totalement différents. Je suis nord américain et voyage en moto. J’ai le loisir de me rendre facilement dans l’ouest américain par diverses routes, en plusieurs saisons et à bien moindre budget que les européens mais surtout à répétition. Et je peux même y faire transporter la moto à frais raisonnable pour faire plus de temps (ce que j’ai fait à une reprise). Je ne sais pas ce qu’est une réservation en dehors de saison touristique à l’exception de quelques endroits bien distincts.
Mais en conclusion, si j’étais européen en visite dans ce coin, en tenant pour compte les frais de transport, location de véhicule, la longue planification et les choix terribles à faire pour ne pas être déçu de manquer quelque chose, soyez informés que deux semaines ne vous permettra que de vous obliger à vous en tenir à une région en particulier et à y retourner pour les autres. Si ce voyage sera votre premier et dernier, c’est trois semaines au strict minimum et encore…
Bonjour
La route entre SF et LV n'a pas beaucoup d'intérêt. La solution de l'avion entre SFO et LV serait la meilleure, (vs n'aurez pas de douane à LV).
Pour SF, une voiture n'est pas indispensable, mais elle vs permettra de gagner du temps su vos viites hors centre ville
Un bien beau projet...vous pouvez aussi envisager de louer un vélo à San Francisco pour faire la traversé du Golden Gate...😉
enfin c'est une idée, nous l'avons fait et c'est particulièrement énorme!!!🙂
Amicalement
La vie c'est comme une boite de chocolat....on ne sait jamais sur quoi on va tomber....
2010-2013 A la Découverte de L'Europe
2014 Traversée des USA, Départ Tour du Monde 16 Janvier 2016
Notre blog sur http://autourdumonde.no-ip.org/blog
Bonjour Andre,
Je pense que le courier que vous m'avez adresse etait destine a un autre internaute.
Etant moi-meme un Nord Americain, je suis d'accord avec vous.
beaucoup de touristes qui viennent aux USA ne se rendent pas compte de l'etendue du pays et du temps qui est necessaire pour aller d'un point a un autre.
Comme je l'ai dit en si peu de temps, beaucoup de temps sera passe sur les routes, et a mon avis, il est preferable de faire moins de visite et de les faire en profondeur.
Personnelement je ne voyage pas en moto, et je comprends qu'il different de voyager en moto.
Bonne journee
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
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Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
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?
