Après un premier passage sur le forum je reviens vers vous avec les idées plus claires sur notre itinéraire (merci à tous ceux qui mettent des infos et qui communiquent sur leurs sites de voyage 😉)
Nous partons du 16 mai au 2 juin 2013.
Voici ma demande : nous avons établi un itinéraire à partir des sites que nous souhaitons voir mais j'arrive à 14 jours de visite alors qu'il m'en faudrait 16 ! (dans ce sens là c'est bien !!)
Ma question : à votre avis où faudrait-il rajouter ces 2 jours ??
A mon avis je pense qu'il faut voir du côté de Bryce Canyon et de Zion. Et Sequoia Park.
Mais précisément je ne sais pas trop...
J'ai un doute aussi sur le trajet entre Las Vegas et Sequoia Park en passant par Death Valley (étape obligatoire ?)
Quelques précisions importantes :
Nous avons choisi de visiter Sequoia Park et non Yosemite.
Nous n'avons pas envie de passer trop de temps à LA (d'où la seule journée prévue)
Nous allons nous marier à Las Vegas au passage 😊 (donc il faut quand même le temps de le faire même si les procédures sont express !)
Je ne me suis pas encore précisément penchée sur les hôtels car l'itinéraire n'est pas encore totalement ficelé.
J1 : arrivée à Los Angeles (13h05)
J2 : Los Angeles
J3 : Los Angeles - Calico - Oatman - Kingman (durée trajet : 5h)
J4 : Kingman - Grand Canyon (trajet 3h)
J5 : Grand Canyon - Monument Valley (trajet 4h)
J6 : Monument Valley - Valley of the Gods - Page (Lake Powell) (durée trajet 3h)
J7 : Page (Antelope Canyon) - Bryce Canyon (trajet 3h)
J8 : Bryce Canyon - Zion (3h)
J9 : Zion (matin) - Las Vegas (trajet 3h)
J10 : Las Vegas - Death Valley - Ridgecrest (trajet 2h30 + 3h)
J11 : Ridgecrest - Sequoia Park (trajet 4h30)
J12 : Sequoia Park - SF (trajet 5h30)
J13 : SF
J14 : SF
??
Merci d'avance pour tous vos conseils avisés et surtout en connaissance du terrain !
J6 n'oublie pas Horseshoe Bend à Page
Tu peux rajouter une journée à Page sans problèmes si tu fais une sortie en bateau sur le Lac Powell, que tu fais des visites hors des sentiers battus (Wire Pass, Toadstool Hoodoos ...)
Tu peux rajouter une journée à Bryce pour faire une belle randonnée dans ce parc et visiter les alentours: Mossy Cave, Kodachrome Basin...
Tu peux rajouter une journée à Zion si tu aimes la rando: Canyon Overlook, Observation Point, Angel's Landing...
J9 n'oublie pas Valley Of Fire avant d'arriver sur Vegas, à faire de préférence en fin de journée, prévoir 2 à 3h, je te conseille notamment Fire Wave.
J10: dormir de préférence dans la Death Valley à Furnace Creek ou Stovepipe Wells.
Tu peux rajouter une journée à Sequoia avec nuit à Three rIvers ou quelque part dans le parc pour mieux visiter ce parc superbe et pousser jusqu'à Kings Canyon.
Merci pour ta réponse et merci pour ton site que j'ai déjà pas mal consulté mais pas encore complètement (chaque chose en son temps !).
Une question sur ta proposition concernant le jour 10 : si on dort à death valley ça veut dire que le lendemain pour rallier séquoia park ça va nous prendre la journée non ?
Bon, suite à ces échanges nous avons revu l'itinéraire et décidé d'apporter quelques modifications (notamment l'impasse sur Zion et le rajout de Moab !).
Ce qui donnerait :
J1 : arrivée à Los Angeles (13h05)
J2 : Los Angeles
J3 : Los Angeles - Calico - Oatman - Kingman (durée trajet : 5h)
J4 : Kingman - Grand Canyon (trajet 3h)
J5 : Grand Canyon - Monument Valley (trajet 4h)
J6 : Monument Valley - Arches (trajet 3h) - nuit à Moab
J7 : Canyonlands - nuit à Moab
J8 : Moab - Lake Powell/Horseshoebend (trajet 4h30) - nuit à Page
J9 : Antelope Canyon - Bryce Canyon (trajet 3h) - nuit à Bryce Canyon
J10 : Bryce Canyon - Las Vegas (trajet 4h en fin d'après-midi) - nuit à LV
J11 : Las Vegas - Valley of fire - Las Vegas (trajet AR 2H) - mariage le matin - nuit à LV
J12 : Las Vegas - Death Valley - Ridgecrest (trajet : 2h30 + 3h) - nuit à Ridgecrest
J13 : Ridgecrest - Sequoia Park (trajet 4h30) - nuit à Three Rivers
J14 : Sequoia Park - San Francisco (trajet 5h) - nuit à SF
J15 : San Francisco
J16 : San Francisco
J17 : départ de SF à 15h40
Alors Moab c'est chouette mais il te manque un jour! De plus l'itinéraire que tu fais te fait revenir sur tes pas... Si on inclut Moab il faut faire
Grand Canyon - Page - Monument Valley - Moab (3 nuits) - Capitol Reef (1 nuit à Torrey) - Bryce
Je crains qu'il ne soit pas raisonnable d'inclure Moab. D'un itinéraire qui pourrait être sympa, tu arrives à un itinéraire trop speed.
Par ailleurs, pour éviter l'aller retour depuis Vegas (qui plus est en pleine journée?) il faut visiter Valley Of Fire sur la route entre Bryce - (Zion) - Valley Of Fire - Vegas
Misère, il faut encore tout revoir 🏴☠️
Il paraît que la préparation fait partie du plaisir du voyage, là ça me réveille la nuit !! 🤪
Bon alors si j'enlève Moab et que je tiens compte de tes commentaires, voilà ce que ça pourrait donner :
J1 : arrivée à Los Angeles (13h05)
J2 : Los Angeles
J3 : Los Angeles - Calico - Oatman - Kingman (durée trajet : 5h)
J4 : Kingman - Grand Canyon (trajet 3h)
J5 : Grand Canyon - Monument Valley (visite après midi) (trajet 4h)
J6 : Monument Valley - Page : Lake Powell + Horseshoebend (durée trajet 3h)
J7 : Antelope Canyon - Bryce Canyon (trajet 3h) - nuit à Bryce Canyon
J8 : Bryce Canyon - nuit à Bryce Canyon
J9 : Bryce Canyon - Valley of Fire - Las Vegas - nuit à LV => du coup vers quelle heure à Valley of fire ??
J10 : Las Vegas => mariage dans la journée => le reste serait occupé à voir des spectacles (en gratuit ?)
J11 : Las Vegas - Death Valley - Ridgecrest (trajet : 2h30 + 3h) - nuit à Ridgecrest
J12 : Ridgecrest - Sequoia Park (trajet 4h30) - nuit à Three Rivers
J13 : Sequoia Park - nuit à Three Rivers
J14 : Sequoia Park - San Francisco (trajet 5h) - nuit à SF
J15 : San Francisco
J16 : San Francisco
J17 : départ de SF à 15h40
Du coup on a une journée pleine à : Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas et Sequoia.
Qu'en penses-tu ?
(je m'adresse à Itat mais si d'autres passent par là, n'hésitez pas non plus ! 😉)
J4: tu peux passer par la route 66 entre Kingman et Seligman
J8: autour de Bryce: Mossy Cave (qui fait partie de Bryce mais on y accède par la route qui mène à Tropic), Kodacrome Basin State Park
J9: tu pars tôt de Bryce, tu peux passer par Zion, tu fais le Scenic Drive, tu fais la balade Canyon Overlook avant le tunnel de Zion Mount Carmel.
Prévois d'être sur Valley Of Fire 3h avant le coucher du soleil pour profiter de belles couleurs.
J11: je dirais qu'il est dommage de loger à Ridgecrest, tu pourrais loger si possible dans la Death Valley afin de visiter celle ci en fin de journée du J10 et en début de matinée de J11 afin d'éviter les plus grosses chaleurs.
Un jour complet à Sequoia c'est bien (la route est longue depuis Death Valley), tu peux même pousser jusqu'à Kings Canyon si tu ne fais pas de grosses marches dans Sequoia.
J'ai un doute aussi sur le trajet entre Las Vegas et Sequoia Park en passant par Death Valley (étape obligatoire ?)
A mon sens DV est un incontournable de l'ouest; en revanche Sequoia ne l'est pas. Dans ma signature tu trouveras le site que je viens d'ouvrir avec justement la portion SF-LV en passant par Yosemite, Sequoia et DV. Il est dans l'autre sens mais ca ne change rien en fait.
Si tu dos maintenir cette étape, je trouve que la route LV-DV puis DV-ridgecret ne laisse pas assez de temps sur place et ne permet qu'un survol du parc. Tu me diras pour une première fois c'est pas mal.
Quelques précisions importantes :
Nous avons choisi de visiter Sequoia Park et non Yosemite.
Yosemite est un parc beaucoup plus riche que Sequoia! Surtout au mois de mai début juin période des lors de laquelle les cascade sont à leur maximum! Que nous soyez grand randonneur ou pas ce parc est un must à mon sens.
Nous n'avons pas envie de passer trop de temps à LA (d'où la seule journée prévue)
Nous allons nous marier à Las Vegas au passage 😊 (donc il faut quand même le temps de le faire même si les procédures sont express !)
Je suis parfaitement d'accord avec toi pour LA. Par contre, pour Vegas, j'aurai mis une nuit en plus afin de profiter de la "nuit de noce" 😛 et de recharger les batteries. Up to you!
Je ne me suis pas encore précisément penchée sur les hôtels car l'itinéraire n'est pas encore totalement ficelé.
Ne traine pas trop non plus car dans certain lieu il n'y a plus de place dans les parcs, il faudra dormir dans les villes voisines à parfois 50 km.
J'avais fait un trip au même dates iil y a deux ans. Nous avions réservé comme toi mi mars. Pour exemple, plus de place à DV, nous avons du dormir à Ridgecrest. Plus de place à Yosemite, dodo à Mariposa qui est tout de même à une heure du parc.
J1 : arrivée à Los Angeles (13h05)
J2 : Los Angeles
J3 : Los Angeles - Calico - Oatman - Kingman (durée trajet : 5h)
J4 : Kingman - Grand Canyon (trajet 3h)
J5 : Grand Canyon - Monument Valley (trajet 4h)
J6 : Monument Valley - Valley of the Gods - Page (Lake Powell) (durée trajet 3h)
J7 : Page (Antelope Canyon) - Bryce Canyon (trajet 3h)
J8 : Bryce Canyon - Zion (3h)
J9 : Zion (matin) - Las Vegas (trajet 3h)
J10 : Las Vegas - Death Valley - Ridgecrest (trajet 2h30 + 3h)
J11 : Ridgecrest - Sequoia Park (trajet 4h30)
J12 : Sequoia Park - SF (trajet 5h30)
J13 : SF
J14 : SF
??
Si ma mémoire est bonne, vous avez déjà vos billets... donc je ne vous relance pas sur l'arrivée et le départ. 😉
J-5. La route se fait bien. A moins de vouloir faire du cheval dans Monument valley. La scenic route se fait en 1h ou 2h max. Dès lors, vous pourriez avoir le temps d'aller à Goosnecks SP et à valley of gods la même journée. je dirai me^me que faire valley of gods après MV n'a pas beaucoup d'intérêt. J'aurai personnellement fait ce parc avant MV ou pas du tout le lendemain.
Ne tardez pas pour les hotels. Les capacités de logement de MV et de mexican hat ne sont pas si grande pour le nombre de visiteur.
J-6. A défaut donc de valley of god, il y a beaucoup de chose à voir près de page.
J-8. une demi journée une nuit est pour moi suffisant à Bryce. j'aurai tendance à préférer ZION. attention en revanche, les narrows pourrait être fermé à cette saison. Il faudra vérifier les niveau d'eau et ouverture début mai.
J-9. il y a Valley of fore sur votre route, je le fais cette année donc je ne peux vous donner de retour. Ceci dit, il est à ne pas douter que ce parc est fantastique!
J-10. j'ajouterai une journée à Vegas. la veille vous faites ZION et le lendemain DV. Ca me parait un peu speed. Une journée de plus permet de se reposer au milieu du voyage, le voir un spectacle, sortir le soir... il y a plein de chose à faire à Vegas. La ville est certes assourdissante (ca n'engage que moi) mais pour 2 nuits c'est parfait.
J10 : Las Vegas -
J11 : LV- Death Valley -
J12 : Yosemite (par tioga si ouvert je laisse ceux qui connaissent cette route t'en parler)
J13 : Yosemite
J14 : Yos -SF
J15 : SF
J16 : SF
Ou si la TIOGA est fermée:
J11 : LV- Death Valley -
J12 : Sequoia
J13 : Yosemite
J14 : Yos -SF
J15 : SF
J16 : SF
J8: autour de Bryce: Mossy Cave (qui fait partie de Bryce mais on y accède par la route qui mène à Tropic), Kodacrome Basin State Park
Mossy cave est super en effet. C'est une petite balade à ne pas rater! A cette saison, la petite chute d'eau sera puissante.
J11: je dirais qu'il est dommage de loger à Ridgecrest, tu pourrais loger si possible dans la Death Valley afin de visiter celle ci en fin de journée du J10 et en début de matinée de J11 afin d'éviter les plus grosses chaleurs.
C'est assez juste. La ville n'a pas beaucoup d'intérêt et reste à une certaine distance du DV. Pour ceux qui ont du temps, il y a un petite State Park mignon à voir sur la route. Trona Pinacles. Sympa comme tout le matin très tôt ou le soir.
Par contre, je ne suis pas sûr qu'il reste beaucoup de chambre près du parc, à prix correct. A voir...
Je reviens vers vous pour encore vous dire merci de vos précieux conseils !
Notre voyage s'est super bien passé, à tous les niveaux c'était génial 😎
Et le mariage à Las Vegas vraiment bien également, un conte de fées !
Bravo pour vos commentaires avisées et pour être disponibles pour aider les débutants comme nous ! 🙂
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Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
