Je vous soumets cette ébauche d'itinéraire:merci pour vos avis
J1 Arrivée à Las Végas +nuit
J2 Grand Canyon par Kingsman +nuit à Kanab
J3 Lake Powel (est ce nécessaire?) +nuit à Kanab
J4 Bryce Canyon+nuit à Kanab?ou à cedar city?ou à Caliente (Nevada)?
J5 Bodie nuit à Lee Vining
J6 Curry village (Yosemite)
J7 yosemite
J8 yosemite
J9 Sequoia nationnal park +nuit à ?
J20 direction la cote vers big sur , Monterey
J21 , J22 , J23 , J24 San francisco
???problème nous comptons partir 3 semaines dont 3 jours pour finir à New york!!!
Merci pour votre attention
J2: nuit à Grand Canyon Village ou Tusayan, Kanab trop loin de la South Rim ! Pour profiter du Grand CAnyon il faut loger sur place.
J3: nuit Page ou Kanab, tout dépend ce que tu fais dans le coin. Lake Powell pas indispensable si tu ne fais pas un tour en bateau. Mais dans le coin: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Toadstool Hoodoos, White Rocks, Yellow Rock, Buckskin Gulch... De quoi y passer plusieurs jours.
J4: il faut loger près de Bryce, soir à Tropic ou Bryce Canyon City
J5: longue journée de route
Je trouve bizarre que tu speedes vraiment beaucoup les premiers jours puis que tu passes 3 jours entiers à Yosemite. Tu as prévu des randonnées à la journée ?
J9: nuit à Three Rivers ou directement dans le parc
Je vous soumets cette ébauche d'itinéraire:merci pour vos avis
J1 Arrivée à Las Végas +nuit
J2 Grand Canyon par Kingsman +nuit à Kanab
J3 Lake Powel (est ce nécessaire?) +nuit à Kanab
J4 Bryce Canyon+nuit à Kanab?ou à cedar city?ou à Caliente (Nevada)?
J5 Bodie nuit à Lee Vining
J6 Curry village (Yosemite)
J7 yosemite
J8 yosemite
J9 Sequoia nationnal park +nuit à ?
J20 direction la cote vers big sur , Monterey
J21 , J22 , J23 , J24 San francisco
???problème nous comptons partir 3 semaines dont 3 jours pour finir à New york!!!
Merci pour votre attention
Bonjour Christine,
Il me semble que vous allez faire beaucoup d'allers et retours de puis Kanab😕
Jde pense que vous devriez ouvrir une carte de la region et voir les distances.
Il est preferable de construire un itineraire d'un point a l'autre (Vu que vous n'avez pas des mois et des mois a y consacrer) et de faire des haltes pour dormir. Pour San Francisco, bravo, ma ville preferee😏😏
Vous rendez-vous compte de la distance qu'il y a entre Kingman et Kanab?
Bon voyage
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.
salut
Tu sembles être un fin connaisseur de l'ouest...
En effet j'ai zappé entre J9 et J20
Tant mieux il nous reste donc plein de jours!
Grand canyon ?est ce qu'on peut y randonner en plein mois d’août?Sinon doit on annuler sans regretter?
On ne fera pas de bateau a Lake Powel..on annule donc
Yosemite, c'est quand même pour faire une rando.
J11 la cote avec monterey, big sur, spots pour surfer(quelques endroits , si tu en connais merci)
8 derniers jours à San francisco et New york
Merci pour les "retouches"
Bonjour
Merci pour l’intérêt que tu portes à notre itinéraire
En effet , les distances ont été calculées avec google , nous n'avons pas de carte...
Pour nos aller-retour à Kanab , la raison est que l'on souhaite éviter les foules dans les villes aux abords des parcs:mais peut être, n'est ce pas faisable?
Merci de me donner ton avis.
On ne fera pas de bateau a Lake Powel..on annule donc
salut christine
Comme te l'a dit Thibaut, il y a pas mal de chose à faire au Lake Powell. La ville sur ce lac est Page et il y a qq "immanquables" cités par Thibaut : Antelope Canyon et Horseshoe Bend qui sont tout près (Toadstool Hoodoos : bof). Enfin, j'ai trouvé très sympa de se baigner dans le Lake Powell en fin d'après midi (surtout au mois d'août), au retour tu peux profiter du coucher de soleil magnifique sur le lac depuis la Lake Shore Drive par exemple
Grand Canyon, tu peux marcher le long de la corniche, c'est même conseillé pour ne pas faire que les points de vue où il y a du monde !
Et tu peux faire un bout de descente via le South Kaibab Trail jusqu'à Cedar Ridge et partant tôt le matin, tu seras remonté avant midi. Cela permet d'apprécier l'immensité du Grand Canyon.
La région du Lake Powell comporte de nombreux sites d'exception.
Rahhh Toadstool Hoodoos top ! Très dépaysant au contraire de la Côte Pacifique par exemple
salut thibaud, comparé à la côte pacifique, sans doute, mais faire 80kms AR pour voir 3 hoodoos (1 grand et 2 tout petits, le reste a disparu ! ) quand on a vu Antelope Canyon et Horseshoe Bend la veille, je suis resté sur ma faim ! 🤪
Bonjour
Merci pour l’intérêt que tu portes à notre itinéraire
En effet , les distances ont été calculées avec google , nous n'avons pas de carte...
Pour nos aller-retour à Kanab , la raison est que l'on souhaite éviter les foules dans les villes aux abords des parcs:mais peut être, n'est ce pas faisable?
Merci de me donner ton avis.
Bonjour de nouveau Christine.
les villes aux abords des Parks!😕 La ville la plus proche du Grand Canyon, Williams, il n'y a jamais foule, meme en ete.
Kanab est une toute petite ville, qui se compose surtout de motels et quelques restaurants.
Puisque vous n'avez encore rien retenu, regardez en temps reel ce que vous pourriez faire (Sans Courrir) mais un parcours de point a point est le plus facile compte tenu du temps dont vous disposez.
Les Parks sont immenses, et quand il y a beaucoup de touristes vous n'avez pas l'impression d'etre entasse.
Personnelement j'evite les Parks l'ete, trop de monde a mon gout.
A votre service
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.
Tu as la possibilité d'éviter les parcs parce que tu habites à San Francisco et que tu peux choisir la saison!
Ce n'est pas notre cas
Sur 15 jours de voyage aurais tu la gentillesse de me dire ce que tu privilégierais ?
Merci
Tu as la possibilité d'éviter les parcs parce que tu habites à San Francisco et que tu peux choisir la saison!
Ce n'est pas notre cas
Sur 15 jours de voyage aurais tu la gentillesse de me dire ce que tu privilégierais ?
Merci
Bonsoir Christine,
En 15 jours de voyage voici ce que je ferai: Une journee toute entiere a Bryce Canyon avec descente dans le Canyon et la randonnee sur le Peek-A-Boo Trail. Il y a toujours moins de monde sur ce Trail que sur les autres parties du Canyon.
Une journee entiere a Monument Valley, il est possible de se promener dans le Park sans trop s'eloigner du Trail.
Une journee entiere au Grand Canyon en faisant une partie de la descente, premier stop 2 a 3 heures aller et retour, deuxieme stop, 3 a 4 heures aller et retour, cela en marchant bien mais sans courrir.
Une journee entiere a Yosemite, pour en voir une petite partie.
Si vous comptez vos jours d'arrivee et de depart comme perdu pour les visites, vous voyez qu'avec vos temps de parcours vos 15 jours seront bien utilises.
Faites moins de sites, mais faites les bien, et comme je dis a tous, vous reviendrez😏😏
Si nous sommes a SF lors de votre passage, nous serons heureux de vous aider dans vos visites
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.
"Toadstool Hoodoos : bof"
"voir 3 hoodoos (1 grand et 2 tout petits"
Je pense, comme Thibaud, que tu n'as pas tout vu: après le hoodoo principal (celui que tout le monde photographie) as-tu continué la balade plus loin en contournant la falaise vers la gauche? Il y a là bcp d'autres hoodoos (dont certains tout blancs, chapeautés d'un rocher brun) et une belle vue sur la plaine et les badlands multicolores.
Et puis, comme on n'arrête pas de le dire, ce site révèle surtout de splendides couleurs en toute fin de journée (qd le soleil décline) . En plein temps de midi, les couleurs de ces hoodoos sont nettement moins magiques.
Et avantage inestimable: à Toadstool hoodoos, il n'y a personne. On y est loin de la foule tjs présente à Antelope (même le Lower devient envahi)😕 , et pareil pour Horseshoe Bend (il y a 5 ans, il n'y avait pratiquement personne, mais depuis que le parking a été aménagé, les cars s'y arrêtent et déversent des flots de touristes😕)
Pas loin de Toadstool hoodoos, il y a un autre site facile (qui , comme Toadstool hoodoos, ne demande pas non plus bcp d'effort): les magnifiques badlands multicolores de Old Paria (à voir bien évidemment au sunset aussi)
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
A moins d'y prévoir une balade avec les Navajos, Monument Valley ne demande pas d'y rester 1 journée entière.
Il faut surtout y être en fin de journée (3 heures jusqu'au sunset pour faire la scenic drive avec sa voiture) et en début de journée (pour assister au sunrise)
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Bonjour
Au risque de me faire incendier par certains, je dirais que de YOSEMITE, je n'irais pas à SEQUOIA Ntl Pk, et que je rejoindrais SF en passant par CARMEL et MONTEREY.
Pour remplacer SEQUOIA Ntl Park, je ferais la ballade de MARIPOSA GROVES, le matin si possible, en logeant par exemple à OAKHURST
on a bien vu tout ça, mais pas été scotché ... ça arrive (j'ai un peu exagéré en parlant de 3 hoodoos 😊), ! ce qui plaît aux uns laisse les autres indifférents 😉 : les goûts et les couleurs ...!😎
A moins d'y prévoir une balade avec les Navajos, Monument Valley ne demande pas d'y rester 1 journée entière.
Il faut surtout y être en fin de journée (3 heures jusqu'au sunset pour faire la scenic drive avec sa voiture) et en début de journée (pour assister au sunrise)
Parce qu'il est toujours bon d'avoir plusieurs points de vue, je conseillerais plutôt, si on a déjà fait MV la veille, la Valley of Gods, le matin (démarrer de l'entrée Est pour avoir le soleil dans le dos au départ). Là il n'y a vraiment personne 😉
Tu as bien raison de mentionner Valley of the Gods
Si on a une journée entière, il y a bien d'autres sites à voir ds les environs de Monument Valley ... mais perso, je conseille de voir Valley of the Gods avant Monument Valley, pour ne pas qu'il souffre de la comparaison, car les 2 se ressemblent mais Monument Valley est encore plus grandiose... (faut dire que nous avons tjs eu de la chance à MV, ns n'y avons jamais croisé grand monde, contrairement à ce que je lis ds certains carnets🤪)
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Comme toi, mes deux fois à Monument Valley, pas grand monde mais faut dire que c'était en fin d'après-midi, sûrement quand les TO sont déjà sur la route pour rejoindre l'hôtel suivant.
Et comme toi je conseille de faire Valley Of The Gods avant Monument Valley.
Pareil: 2x en fin d'aprèm et pas grand monde🙂 (pourtant chaque fois en plein juillet)
On ne répétera jamais assez l'importance d'être aux bons endroits au bon moment.
Qd on prépare son planning, il est primordial d'en tenir compte (et d'agencer ses visites plutôt que de vouloir tout voir n'importe comment). De ça, dépend souvent les impressions (bonnes ou mitigées) qu'on garde au retour du voyage.
Maintenant, il me semble qu'il y a de plus en plus de touristes ds l'Ouest américain, et qu'il devient vraiment nécessaire de randonner hors des sentiers battus si on veut éviter le monde, ou partir hors juillet/août
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
l hebergement pour les groupes est tellement compliqué qu on les emmene à des heures inadaptées. Tant mieux pour nous, il faut y aller en fin d'aprés midi, même si il y a pas mal d orages en été en fin de journée...
Depuis quelques temps je lis, relis prend des notes sur les forums des EU, surtout l'ouest Américain, avec le projet de partir l'été prochain, au mois d'août.…
J'ai parcouru le forum et je sais que ce sujet a deja été traité plusieurs fois, cependant je souhaite vous soumettre mon itinéraire pour avoir vos conseils.…
Nous (2) partons en voyage cet été dans l'ouest des USA, ce sera notre premier voyage dans cette région et notre premier Road trip (nous avons 24 ans environ).…
Je me lance: nous envisageons un itinéraire Ouest USA sur fin août 2015. J'ai établi un "premier jet", et souhaiterais éventuellement avoir vos avis: J1…
Je suis en train de préparer notre voyage à 4 avec nos 2 enfants de 7 et 9 ans de cet été en Floride du 5 aout au 25 aout avec A/R Nice/Miami. Nous faisons…
salut a tous
je prepare un tour du monde et je recherche des bons plans pour les logements aux etats unis
avez vous des petits prix a me partager svp
merci
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
