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).
Nous louons notre voiture à San Diego (tarif intéressant) et nous la rendons à Los Angeles.
Voici l'itinéraire prévu :
J1 Arrivée à Los angeles
J2 Los Angeles
J3 Los Angeles
J4 Los Angeles
J5 Los Angeles
J6 Los Angeles
J7 Los Angeles
J8 Los Angeles
J9 San Diego : Prise de la voiture
J10 San Diego
J11 San Diego
J12 San Diego
J13 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
J14 Joshua Tree National
J15 Phoenix
J16 Phoenix
J17 Flagstaff
J18 Grand Canyon
J19 Monument valley
J20 Monument valley
J21 Page
J22 Page
J23 Bryce Canyon
J24 Bryce Canyon
J25 Zion
J26 Zion
J27 Las vegas
J28 Las vegas
J29 Las vegas
J30 Death Valley
J31 Sequoia
J32 Sequoia
J33 Sequoia
J34 yosemite
J35 yosemite
J36 yosemite
J37 yosemite
J38 yosemite
J39 Nord de SF ?
J40 San Francisco
J41 San Francisco
J42 San Francisco
J43 San Francisco
J44 San Jose
J45 Carmel-by-the-sea ou Monterey
J46 Santa Barbara
J47 Los Angeles : restitution de la voiture
J48 Los Angeles
J49 Los Angeles
J50 Los Angeles
J51 Los Angeles
J52 Los Angeles
J53 Vol retour
Ces lieux correspondent aux endroits où nous dormons. Je suis en train de regarder plus en détails les activités de chaque site. Nous allons choisir Airbnb ou hôtel pour les villes et camping pour la "campagne" et les parcs.
Avez-vous des remarques ou des conseils à nous donner ?
Merci
Un jour de trop à Monument Valley (une nuit suffisante) à reporter ailleurs. Par exemple à Page si vous avez un 4*4, beaucoup de choses à voir. Ou à Moab (Arches et Canyonlands) en y passant 4 ou 5 jours (enlever du temps prévu à Sequoia, Yosemite et Los Angeles). Je pense que sur un tel circuit, il serait dommage de ne pas aller dans une des régions du Southwest les plus belles 😉 ...
Après Moab: Goblin Valley - Little Wild Horse Canyon - Capitol Reef (une à 2 nuits) - Route 12 (possibilité de loger à Escalante si 4*4 pour explorer les environs) - Bryce Canyon
Étant donné que ce sera notre premier road trip, nous ne voulons pas avoir trop d'ambition et vouloir "tout voir" mais plutôt prendre notre temps (on sera des touristes après tout :))
Néanmoins, je prends note de vos conseils, notamment pour l'Apache Trail qui a l'air très sympathique :)
Concernant la voiture à LA, cela risque d'être génant mais nous espérons louer des vélos près de Santa Monica pour visiter le front de mer. Il y a peut-être moyen de rendre la voiture 1 ou 2 jours plus tard pour en profiter à LA...
J'ai choisi volontairement de passer 2 nuits à chaque endroit pour éviter de rouler tous les jours et pouvoir se poser un jour sur deux, mais on va peut-être se rendre compte que ce n'est pas une bonne idée.
Je vais encore réfléchir au planning, nous devons réserver nos derniers logements en fin de semaine.
J'aurais aimé visiter plus de choses en Utah mais notre loueur nous impose des restrictions géographiques (limité aux États limitrophes de la Californie), nous pouvons être amené à payer une surtaxe pour tous miles en dehors et donc en Utah...
Je reste ouvert à tous conseils, notamment sur les routes à emprunter pour éviter les autoroutes.
Bonsoir Karibou,
Visiter Los Angeles sans voiture, mais vos visites seront limitees compte tenu de l'etendue de la ville et de la complexite du systeme routier.
Je dirai que la seule grande ville aux USA que l'on ne peut visiter sans voiture est Los Angeles.
Nous sommes a Los Angeles pour 3 jours, cote Disneyland et sans voiture ici, bon courage😕
Mais arrivez a LA, et voyez sur place, vous comprendrez vite.
Pour San Francisco, je vous conseille aussi de garder votre vehicule.
Pour quelques idees de visites voyez mon blog en bas de page sous Route 66
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.
Vs louez chez qui???
Je ne sais pas si vs faites vraiment des economies en allant à SAN DIEGO pour prendre une voiture, et si en plus vs ne pouvez pas aller partout...
Sur l'itineraire, il faut que vs le presentiez sous la forme :
Etape du matin-> trajets en DUREE + visites-> Etape du soir.
Nous louons chez SIXT.
Ce n'est pas la compagnie la plus connue aux US ni la moins chère de base mais elle propose un forfait jeune conducteur fixe quelque soit le nombre de jours de location. Les autres compagnies imposent un supplément d'environ 25$ par jours, ce qui devient vite astronomique.
Au final, cela nous revient moins cher avec SIXT et il n'y a pas de coûts cachés à payer en plus sur place.
En réservant sur le site d'un intermédiaire, il est possible de payer bien moins que les 25$ par jour requis. Essaye sur dive-usa.de ou locationdevoiture.fr
Ils ont des forfaits jeunes conducteurs tout inclus.
Je relance mon sujet car j'ai des questions concernant le logement à San Francisco.
Nous serons en voiture + matériel de camping et comptons y passer 4 ou 5 nuits en aout 2015.
Nous hésitons entre camping ou Airbnb.
Quand je vois les prix des campings (plus de 100$ la nuit), je pense qu'il doit y avoir moyen de trouver un truc pas trop mal chez l'habitant ?
53 jours, quelle chance ! Quel bonheur de prendre son temps... et de peaufiner les détails. Si vous randonnez vous trouverez sur ce forum des spécialistes de l'ouest qui vont vous indiquer des endroits plus ou moins secrets, magnifiques et hors des sentiers battus. Par contre Los Angeles sans voiture ce n'est même pas la peine d'y penser... à moins d'avoir des potes sur place qui sont véhiculés... ce qui ne m'étonnerait pas puisque vous y restez une douzaine de jours.
Bien amicalement
Chris
"Before you judge me take a look at yourself"
Children of Bodom
"On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux" (St Exupéry)
http://palomino34.blogspot.fr/ (blog encore au tout début...)
La location de voiture est un des postes qui comporte le plus de coûts cachés et réserve potentiellement de mauvaises surprises.
A ma connaissance, Sixt n'est pas loueur aux Etats-Unis. Cela signifie qu'ils sont revendeurs pour le compte d'une autre compagnie, de la même façon que si vous aviez acheté sur un site marchand (opodo, expedia, autoescape...). In fine, c'est avec cette compagnie locale que vous passerez le contrat et non avec Sixt. Etes-vous vraiment sûr que vous n'allez pas découvrir une fois sur place que le loueur vous impose une surcharge jeune conducteur en vertu de ses conditions locales?
La seule façon d'en avoir le coeur net est d'appeler l'agence locale de la compagnie qui vous louera effectivement ce véhicule.
14 nuits à Los Angeles... Êtes-vous sûrs que vous allez aimer à ce point?
Merci pour vos réponses,
Je pense sérieusement à prendre une voiture pour la première semaine passée à LA.
Effectivement, le transport (avion et voiture + essence) représente une part très importante du budget...
Aucune mention de compagnie locale sur mes devis SIXT. Ils ne sont pas autant présent que d'autres sur le marché US mais ils sont imbattables sur les tarifs -25 ans (forfait de 50€ max).
J'essayerai de faire feedback à notre retour.
Les 9 premières nuits à LA sont réservées, je pense modifier le planning pour les derniers jours.
J'ai une question concernant l'entrée payante dans les states park (ceux qui n’acceptent pas le pass), comment cela fonctionne si on dort à l’extérieur du park ? On doit payer 2 fois sur 2 jours ?
Bonsoir karibou
Pour le camping a San Francisco, ,
Voici un endroit ou vous ne serez pas deranges et ou vous aurez une vue sur le GGB que peu de personne ont la chance d'avoir.
Appelez le numero de telephone sur la deuxieme photo.
Il n'y a que 4 5 places de camping, je ne connais pas le prix mais je suis sur que le Park Service vous le diront.
Vous pouvez descendre, lorsque vous aurez la reservation, jusqu'a la plage.
Bonne chance
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.
Il n'y a pas que les State Parks qui n'acceptent pas l'annual pass "America the Beautiful", il y a aussi les parcs tribaux, comme Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley. Quand on ne dort pas dans le parc, on doit payer à nouveau l'entrée si on y retourne le lendemain. Nous sommes retournés à Monument Valley le lendemain matin et nous avons repayé. Maintenant, le prix d'entrée est de 20 $ par véhicule (s'il n'y a pas plus de 4 personnes à l'intérieur).
Effectivement le camping proposé par Durandale est alléchant mais attention il y a seulement 4 emplacements ! et pas de douche ...ce qui peut être délicat si vous y passez plusieurs nuits.
Sinon pour le camping en général et quelques tuyaux tu pourras trouver des infos là : http://jeveuxcamperauxusa.blogspot.fr/...amping-...
Si vous réservez par AirBnB, regardez bien les clauses de location, qui dépendent du logeur.
J'ai renoncé à l'utiliser pour un voyage récent (pas en Californie) car elles étaient trop asymétriques: je donnais mon n° de CB, je m'engageais à payer si le logeur acceptait ma demande, mais en retour, le logeur ne s'engageait pas à me loger si je le payais, ni à me répondre oui ou non dans un délai précis.
Prenez votre voiture à LA sinon ce seras la galère .
Vous pouvez sûrement obtenir de "bons" tarifs en louant à l'extérieur de l'aéroport . Je l'ai fait quelques fois et c'était plus du tiers moins cher . Vous prenez le taxi aller retour pour aller à la location de la voiture et il te resteras encore beaucoup d'argent .
A mon avis San Diego ne mérite pas toutes ces journées.
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
Autant j'adore Los Angeles, autant je trouve bien dommage d'y passer tant de temps (la circulation y est devenue insupportable, le stationnement difficile...) au détriment d'autres endroits si magnifiques comme la région de Moab, ou même San Francisco qui ne mérite pas moins.
3 jours à San Diego ? Passe encore au début du voyage, parce qu'à la fin, ça vous paraîtrait bien fade et ennuyeux par rapport au reste.
Merci à tous pour vos conseils.
Nous avons décidé de louer une voiture pour la première semaine à LA :).
Question pour les campeurs : Acheter la tente 2 personnes en France (modèle compact à 150€) ou sur place (??) ?
Voici notre itinéraire mis à jour, il est presque bouclé mais n'hésitez pas si vous voyez que quelque chose peut être amélioré.
J1 Los Angeles
J2 Los Angeles
J3 Los Angeles
J4 Los Angeles
J5 Los Angeles
J6 Los Angeles
J7 Los Angeles
J8 Los Angeles
J9 Los Angeles
J10 San Diego
J11 San Diego
J12 San Diego
J13 San Diego
J14 "Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Borrego Spring"
J15 Joshua Tree National
J16 Phoenix
J17 Phoenix
J18 Sedona ou Flagstaff
J19 Sedona ou Flagstaff ou Williams
J20 Grand Canyon
J21 Monument valley
J22 Page
J23 Page
J24 Bryce Canyon
J25 Bryce Canyon
J26 Zion
J27 Zion
J28 Las vegas
J29 Las vegas
J30 Las vegas
J31 Death Valley
J32 Death Valley
J33 Sequoia
J34 Sequoia
J35 yosemite
J36 yosemite
J37 yosemite
J38 yosemite
J39 Lee Vining
J40 Lee Vining
J41 Lac Tahoe
J42 Lac Tahoe
J43 San Francisco
J44 San Francisco
J45 San Francisco
J46 San Francisco
J47 San Francisco
J48 Santa Cruz
J49 Carmel-by-the-sea ou Monterey
J50 Santa Barbara
J51 Los Angeles
J52 Los Angeles
J53 Los Angeles
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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!
