Je suis en train d'organiser notre voyage de noces et nous avons choisi un road trip Californie et parcs.
Nous avons prix des billets d'avions du 18/07 au 08/08 arrivée et départ Las Vegas.
J'ai essayé de lire un maximum d'info sur ce forum et j'ai fait un brouillon de parcours, et je vous serais reconnaissante si vous pouviez me donner vos avis. C'est faisable? On rate des choses importantes?
On a volontairement sauté Los Angeles car il nous faudrait trop de temps pour la visiter.
Concernant les parcs on est fun de photos et de nature mais il est vrai on est pas des randonneurs alors ça sera quelques balades légères ou en voiture.
Si vous avez des suggestions de resto particulièrement bons on est à l'écoute:-)
18/07 arrivée à Las Vegas 22h30 nuit sur place
19/07 départ pour Zion park et arrivée en soirée près du Bryce Canyon
20/07 Journée Bryce Canyon, visite de Horseshoebend et nuit à Page
21/07 Antylope Canyon lake Powell et nuit à Monument !valley
22/07 visite de Monument Valley et nuit à Gran Canyon
23/07 visite de gran canyon et nuit sur place
24/07 Visite de Sedona et route vers scottsdale
25/07 depart pour San Diego
26/07 San Diego
27/07 San Diego
28/07 San Diego
29/07 Santa Barbara
30/07 Monterey
31/07 San Francisco
01/08 San Francisco
02/08 San Francisco
03/08 San Francisco
04/08 San Francisco nuit près de Yosemite park
05/08 yosemite park et Bodie nuit à la death valley
06/08 death valley et nuit à las vegas
07/08 Las vegas
08/08 retour :-(
Concernant les parcs on est fun de photos et de nature mais il est vrai on est pas des randonneurs alors ça sera quelques balades légères ou en voiture.
Aïe, ça se voit du coup car vous les escamotez bien pour la plupart (mis à part Monument Valley et Grand Canyon peut être).
Et du coup, vous faites la part belle aux villes mais je ne suis pas sûr du tout que San Diego mérite 3 jours sur un parcours de 3 semaines et pour une première sur le sol américain 🤪
Je pense qu'il faille vraiment que vous remodeliez la partie parcs car c'est justement ça qui est le plus beau dans ce coin des USA et donc ça serait dommage de s'en priver. Et ce même si vous ne randonnez pas ou peu. Il y en a pour tous les niveaux et de nombreux points de vue époustouflants (accessibles en voiture) sont disséminés dans les parcs.
D'autres idées d'itinéraires sur cette page si ça vous intéresse : http://jeveuxcamperauxusa.blogspot.fr/2011/07/organisation-du-voyage.html
Bonsoir Fede,
San Diego est une belle ville, mais de la venir de si loin pour y passer 3 jours en venant de Scottsdale AZ, me semble que vous allez faire beaucoup de route. De la remonter a SF, comment, le long de la cote par le pacific Coast Hwy?
Cela prend du temps.
Peut-etre supprimer le passage a San Diego et reporter ce temps dans les Parks ou il me sempble nous ne consacrer pas beaucoup de temps!😕
Simples suggestions😎
Pour vos visites de SF, je suis pret a vous fournir des infos😎
Cordialement
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 plussoie tout ce qui a été déjà dit ... San Diego 4 nuits sur un premier voyage aux USA ... 🤪
18/07 arrivée à Las Vegas 22h30 nuit sur place
19/07 Vegas - Valley Of Fire SP - Zion - Nuit Springdale
20/07 Springdale - Bryce Canyon - Nuit Tropic ou Bryce City
21/07 Bryce (Navajo Loop) - Page (Toadstool Hoodoos, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell)
22/07 Page (Lower Antelope) - Goosenecks SP - Scenic Dr de Monument Valley - Nuit Mexican Hat
23/07 Mexican Hat - Desert View Dr - Grand Canyon - Nuit GC Village ou Tusayan
24/07 GC Village - Sedona - Nuit Sedona
25/07 Sedona
26/07 Sedona - Apache Trail (Tonto NM - Lost Dutchman SP) - Nuit Scottsdale
27/07 Scottsdale - Joshua Tree NP - Nuit Yucca Valley
28/07 Yucca Valley - Santa Barbara
29/07 SB - Monterey
30/07 Monterey - SF
31/07 SF
01/08 San Francisco
02/08 San Francisco
03/08 SF - Yosemite - Nuit El Portal ou Curry Village
04/08 Yosemite - Tioga Rd - Bodie - Nuit Lee Vining
05/08 Lee Vining - Mono Lake ( South Tufas au sunrise) - Alabama Hills - Death Valley - Nuit Furnace ou Stovepipe Wells
06/08 death valley - Las Vegas
07/08 Las vegas
08/08 retour :-(
Merci pour vos messages, vous avez sûrement besoin concernant les parcs je vais essayer de retravailler cette partie suivant vos conseils. Par contre c'est le rêve de mon copain d'aller jusqu'à san Diego, voilà pourquoi j'avais mis autant de jours, je peux sûrement réduire le séjour mais je ne peux pas l'enlever surtout pour notre voyage de noces, c'est la seule chose qu'il m'a demandé!
Vous pensez que il y a moyen de l'inclure dans l'itinéraire proposé ? Peut-être juste une nuit sur place?
Effectivement pour San Francisco je suis preneuse de conseils concernant resto, visite à absolument pas rater
Car j'ai l'impression qu'il faudrait beaucoup plus de jours pour tout voir!!
A la place de Joshua Tree / Yucca Valley 😉, par contre j'y mettrais quand même deux nuits du coup ... Donc enlever un jour à SF (ailleurs c'est compressé au maximum)
Voici a mon avis comment vous devriez plannifier vos visites dans San Francisco.
Pour vous donner une idee, la ville fait environ 12X12 Kms.
Si vous demarrez avec le Cable Car depuis Market et Powell, prenez la ligne qui passe sur Hyde Street qui vous permettra de voir Lombard Street dans sa partie tortueuse. Vous pouvez faire un arret en haut de Hyde et prendre le Cable suivant qui vous mene en bas de la cote a Fisherman’s Wharf. ( trappe a touristes) Mon opinion. Apres avoir vu Pier 39, vous pouvez monter a Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill.
De Telegraph Hill il est facile de rejoindre Chinatown, la partie la plus interessante etant Grant Street. De la vous etes presque a Union Square ou se situent tous les grands magasins. Cela devrait prendre plusieurs heures.
Cette premiere partie peut se faire sans voiture.
Une autre partie de votre visite, Mission District avec les Muraux sur Balmy entre 24th et 25th Street et sur Clarion et Mission entre la 17th et 18thth Street.
Ensuite direction Castro et la maison bleue sur la 18th Street.
Ces deux parties parties peuvent se faire sans voiture, bien que je suggere de le faire.
Pour Twin Peaks, a pied vous en avez au moins depuis Haight Street pour 30 a 45 minutes pour l’aller et il faut redescendre. Voiture pour le moins necessaire !
Vous visitez en meme temps, Haight Ashbury District et le GGP, Japanese gardens, The Hall of Flowers.
Quelque part vous devrez inclure Alamo Square et The Painted Ladies qui sont sur Steiner Street entre Grove et Hays Streets.
Le GGB, Golden Gate Bridge, allez y tot le matin surtout s’il y a du soleil. L’endroit est envahi de touristes, LOL, apres 9 heures du matin.
Depuis le GGB Il faut aller a Sausalito, Marin City voir les House Boats, et Muir Woods lorsque vous serez de l’autre cote du GGB. Pour Muir Woods , arrivez tot le matin, avant 9 heures surtout si c’est un samedi ou un Dimanche, le parking se rempli tres tres vite. Pour aller aux House Boats, lorsque vous etes a Sausalito, continuez sur Bridgeway pendant 3 ou 4 Kms. Tournez a droite juste avant d’arriver au Freeway, autoroute. Il y a plusieurs groupes de House Boats. Au retour. Juste avant de traverser le GGB tournez a droite et montez dans les Headlands pour une vue sur la ville. Puis apres avoir retraverse le GGB, visitez le Presidio. Si cela a un interet pour vous, visitez The Disney Museum dans le Presidio, acces facile et parking facile.
Je pense sincerement que vous avez amplement le temps de faire toutes ces visites. The bus Hop-on Hop-off, je ne le recommande pas, mais c’est a vous de choisir. Vous serez limite dans les choix que vous pourrez faire.
En voiture, San Francisco n’est pas une ville difficile pour y circuler et le parking pas tres difficile lui aussi.
En 3 jours ces visites se font facilement.
Le GGB ce soir 12 Mars
Je ne sais pas pourquoi la photo est dans le mauvais sens😕
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.
C'est genial, pleins de bons conseils et la photo fait rêver, j'ai trop hâte d'y être!!
Juste une question, du coup tu conseil de prendre l'hôtel dans quel coin? On fera sûrement usage de la voiture mais on voudrait pas être trop excentrés le soir car on voudrait tester quelques restos sympas pas attrape touristes!
Bonjour,
Pourquoi San Diego plutôt que Los Angeles ?
Je ne connais pas vos goûts, donc je donne mon propre avis mais j'aurais fait directement Grand-Canyon - Los Angeles en enlevant un jour à San Francisco pour l'ajouter entre Las Vegas et Page.
J'avoue que je ne connais pas San Diego, mais pour un premier voyage je trouve dommage de passer devant Los Angeles sans y rester.
Tu n'est jamais à l'abri d'une quelconque homonymie ou d'un problème que tu ignores à l'avance.
Rassure toi, comme je te l'ai dit c'est extrêmement rare, mais il est impératif de faire l'ESTA avant les billets.
Beaucoup font le contraire et n'ont pas de soucis!
Allez, tout va bien se passer !
Si le chemin est difficile, le difficile est le chemin.
Bonsoir Fede,
Si vous conservez votre vehicule, loger sur Lombard est le meilleur choix.
Pour les restaurants, il y en plusieurs qui sont tres accessible depuis Lombard, soit a pied soit en bus si vous ne voulez pas vous servir de 😄votre vehicule😄
Pour eviter les Trappes a touristes, pas de Fisherman's Wharf.
Vous en avez sur Chestnut, Fillmore, Polk, Hyde.
Cordialement
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.
Concernant les parcs on est fun de photos et de nature mais il est vrai on est pas des randonneurs alors ça sera quelques balades légères ou en voiture.
Si vous avez des suggestions de resto particulièrement bons on est à l'écoute
Votre circuit n'est pas centré sur les parcs, alors que vous dites y être intéressé ...
Bryce : prévoir une randonnée qui descend dans l’amphithéâtre = la meilleur façon de profiter de ce parc exceptionnel.
Sedona : si c'est votre premier voyage dans l'ouest des USA, je pense qu'il y a d'autres destinations plus "scenic".
San Diego : 3 jours c'est beaucoup (trop ?)
L'idée de base de mon raisonnement était de trouver un juste compromis entre mon copain qui avait une préférence pour la route pacifique et moi qui aimerais quand même voir des parcs, en calculant qu'on avait San Francisco et san Diego et las Vegas comme grandes villes.. Du coup en trois semaines je m'étais dit que c'était un juste milieu une semaine parc une semaine villes et une semaine côté pacifique (à peu près) mais comme je disais j'essaye de revoir le parcours..
Alors je commence à retravailler mon parcours, et en suivant un peu les indications qu'on ma gentiment donné j'ai pansé à cet itineraire:
18/07 arrivée à Las Vegas 22h30 nuit sur place
19/07 Valley Of Fire SP - Zion nuit à Bryce canyon
20/07 Journée Bryce Canyon, Page (Toadstool Hoodoos, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell) nuit à Page
21/07 Lower Antelope Canyon, - Goosenecks SP - Scenic Dr de Monument Valley - Nuit Mexican Hat
22/07 Mexican Hat - Desert View Dr - Grand Canyon - Nuit GC Village ou Tusayan
23/07 visite de gran canyon - Sedona - Nuit Sedona
24/07 Visite de Sedona Apache Trail (Tonto NM - Lost Dutchman SP) - Nuit Scottsdale
25/07 depart pour San Diego
26/07 San Diego
27/07 San Diego
28/07 Santa Barbara
29/07 Monterey
30/07 San Francisco
31/07 San Francisco
01/08 San Francisco
02/08 San Francisco
03/08 San Francisco nuit près de Yosemite park
04/08 Yosemite - Tioga Rd - Bodie - Nuit Lee Vining
05/08 Lee Vining - Mono Lake ( South Tufas au sunrise) - Alabama Hills - Death Valley - Nuit Furnace ou Stovepipe Wells
06/08 death valley et nuit à las vegas
07/08 Las vegas
08/08 retour :-(
Qu'en pensez-vous?
Est-ce que la partie des parcs est trop chargé?
Merci beaucoup et bon weekend à tous
Pas de problème dans cet itinéraire, il est largement faisable. Il laisse la part belle aux villes et à la Côte Pacifique et moins au reste, mais vous le savez déjà 😉
Merci d'avance à tous pour vos precedents avis, ça m'a beaucoup aidé !! Je suis en pleine organization !!
J'ai eu mon Esta, donc tout va bien côté papiers !
Je reviens vers vous pour une petite question liée à mon parcours.
Entre San Diego et San Francisco j'avais prévu une nuit à Santa Barbara et 1 nuit à Monterey.
En lisant et en me documentant j'ai l'impression que plusieurs personnes/sites conseillent de visiter santa barbara mais de dormir plutot à Morro Bay car un peu plus authentique.. votre avis là dessus?
Ma crainte est que San Diego-Morro Bay en une journée tout en passant par Santa Barbara (pour la mission et en continuant via la route Saint Ynez) ça fasse un peu bcp... mais je me trompe peut-être.
Je suis en train de préparer un circuit en californie et dans les parcs de l'ouest pour octobre 2019, nous serons 4, les parents 61 et 58 ans et les jeunes: un…
Je fais appel aujourd'ui à vous pour me "filer un coup de pouce" pour notre prochain périple américain en septembre 2017. Nous partons pour 3 bonnes semaines…
Je sais qu'il y a déjà plein de sujets de ce type mais j'ai besoin d'aide malgré tout... Nous sommes un couple de 39 ans sans enfant, habitués aux voyages mais…
Il s'agit du Pinnacles NP au sud de san francisco!environ 120 kms, le 19 septembre 2019, nous avons loué la voiture chez Alamo via Carigami et Sunnycars!un…
je m'explique, les USA ont toujours été un rêve, inaccessible jusqu'à présent. J'échange ma maison et je me dis que, peut-être la Californie serait à portée de…
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.
Merci de me conseiller pour la réservation pour la plus belle vue faut il réserver une chambre dans l'hôtel ou choisir une cabane ?
Prendre le petit déjeuner ou pas ?
Que pensez vous du 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?
