Nous partons au titre de notre voyage de noces 3 semaines aux Etats-Unis, côte Ouest, boucle San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles.
Vous trouverez ci-dessous le parcours de base et nous souhaiterions l'affiner au + vite car notre vol décolle le 7 Juillet 2012! A la requête de tous vos conseils :)
- Jour/Nuit 1 : Départ de Paris et arrivée à San Francisco en fin d'après-midi (Visite SF).
- Jour/Nuit 2 : San Francisco (Visite SF).
- Jour/Nuit 3 : San Francsico (Visite SF et location de véhicule le soir afin de ne pas perdre de temps le lendemain matin - Hôtel réservé : Hôtel Herbert : qu'en pensez-vous ?).
- Jours/nuits 4, 5, 6 et 7 ? : Nous décollons de San Francisco tôt dans la matinée et direction Yosemite Park. C'est dans ce premier temps que je fais appel à vous car je souhaiterais pendant ces 4 jours faire Yosemite Park, Sequoia Park (& éventuellement Kings Canyon) puis Death Valley). Je ne sais pas vraiment comment optimiser mon temps de route en réservant des hôtels aux points stratégique me permettant d'aller d'un parc à un autre sans perdre trop de temps...) => Please help e ntermes d'hôtels et d'organisation de ces 4 jours!!
- Jours/nuits 8 à 15 : Las Vegas (hôtel Excalibur ?), Zion & Brice Canyon (hôtel ?), Antelope Canyon & Lake Powell (hôtel?), Monument Valley (hôtel ?), Grand Canyon (hôtel)
- Jours/nuits 16 à 20 : Arrivée à Los Angeles (après une longue route from Grand Canyon) donc probablement dans las soirée. Nous avons réservé un hôtel Best Western PLUS Gateway Hotel (Santa Monica) => Visites Hollywood Blvd, Sunset Blvd, Berevely Hills, studios Universal, Malibu, etc.. => éventuellement partir de LA le 19 et faire une nuit à Carmel (escale pour San Francico)?
- Jour 21 /nuit 21 : départ pour San Francisco car vol le lendemain fin de journée pour Paris :(
=> Voili voilou où nous en sommes, à moins de 2 mois du départ.... Mon stress porte essentiellement sur (vous l'aurez compris) l'organisation de la partie la plus "WAOUU" tous les parcs... je susi preneur de tous conseils, orga & hôtels! Merci beaucoup :)
Pour la partie Parcs je t'invite à lire mon blog, peut être que ça pourra t'aider à organiser dans le détail chaque journée.
Pour le circuit dans son ensemble, les billets étant réservés, voilà ce que tu pourrais faire:
J1: arrivée SF - Nuit SF
J2: SF - Nuit SF
J3: SF - Nuit SF
J4: SF - Yosemite - Nuit El Portal (ou Oakhurst)
J5: Yosemite - Nuit El Portal (ou Oakhurst)
J6: Yosemite - Sequoia - Nuit Three Rivers
J7: Three Rivers - Death Valley - Nuit Stovepipe Wells ou Furnace Creek
J8: Death Valley - Vegas - Nuit Vegas
J9: Las Vegas - Nuit Idem
J10: Vegas Valley Of Fire - Zion - Nuit Springdale
J11: Zion - Cedar Breaks - Bryce - Nuit Tropic
J12:Bryce - Nuit Idem
J13: Bryce - Page - Nuit Page (Antelope, Lac Powell, Horseshoe Bend)
J14: Page - Monument Valley - Nuit Mexican Hat
J15: Monument Valley - Grand Canyon - Nuit Grand Canyon Village ou Tusayan
J16: Grand Canyon - LA - Nuit LA
j17: LA - Nuit LA
J18: LA - Nuit LA
J19: LA - Côte
J20: Côte
J21: Côte - SF
J22: Retour
L'idéal pour une première fois serait de dormir dans les parcs (Yosemite, Monument Valley et Grand Canyon).
Mais il est déjà peut être un peu tard pour trouver des hôtels, déjà pour la Death Valley, cela risque d'être difficile.
Oakhurst ==> Yosemite Valley (moi je compte 1h30 pour mon voyage en août, en comptant large) c'est long juste passer une nuit, ou alors ne faire que Mariposa Groove et Glacier Point.
J'essaie déjà de voir ou je vais aller effectivement, ensuite dans un second temps mon parcours par jour...
De ton avis ce que je comprend c'est de ne prévoir qu'une seule nuit à Oarkshurt car assez loin du parc et du coup ne visiter que ces 2 lieux dans Yosemite park.
Je confirme que dans les parcs il est trop tard pour avoir des hôtels à l'intérieur, les seuls chambres dispo sont beaucoup trop chères... :(
De ton avis ce que je comprend c'est de ne prévoir qu'une seule nuit à Oarkshurt car assez loin du parc et du coup ne visiter que ces 2 lieux dans Yosemite park.
Je confirme que dans les parcs il est trop tard pour avoir des hôtels à l'intérieur, les seuls chambres dispo sont beaucoup trop chères... :(
Si tu ne peux pas faire autrement, tu seras bien obligé de les prendre ces 2 nuits à Oakhurst! Mais El Portal est mieux donc regarde avant (il y a deux motels)!
Une seule nuit ne suffirait pas pour visiter l'incontournable de Yosemite!
Et il vaut mieux Oakhurst que Mariposa, Merced ou que sais-je! 😉
Hello Thibaud,
Tout d'abord un grand merci pour tes conseils que je suis quasi à la lettre :)
J1-J3 : SF (Hôtel Herbert)
J4-J5 : Visite Yosemite ( hotel à Oakhurst - Americas Best Value Inn - car trop cher à El Portal.. mon budget tourne à100€/nuit d'hôtel.. :(
J6 : Visite Sequoia (hôtel Three Rivers - Western Holiday Lodge)
J7 : Visite Death Valley => ??? Furnace Creek 175€ la nuit ce qui est nettement au-delà de mon budget, je note que je peux trouver un hôtel à Beatty à moindre coût : est-ce vraiment trop loin OU est-il indispensable de loger à Furnace Creek vu que selon le programme que tu m'as conseillé et que je vais suivre :) je n'y reste qu'une journée donc vaut mieux ne pas perdre trop de temps sur la route, puis peut être que l'hôtel au delà de son emplacement vaut son prix :) ... si cela vaut vraiment la peine je réserve cet hôtel, merci d'avance pour tes conseils à ce sujet (Stovepipe wells non dispo).
J8-J9 : Las Vegas (Hôtel Excalibur)
J10 : Valley Of Fire - Zion (Springdale : hôtel à conseiller ?)
J11-J12 : Cedar beaks - Bryce (Tropic : complet - lieu et hôtel à conseiller ?)
J13-J22 : hôtels à réserver next time :)
ça serait dommage de loger à Beatty... Disons que Furnace Creek tu es sur place pour visiter encore le matin avant de partir pour Vegas... S'il faut casser la tirelire, quitte à faire plus tard des économies, c'est ici (et à Monument Valley).
Springdale est assez cher mais tu es au plus près de Zion... Je suis allé par deux fois au Best Western Zion Park Inn
Tropic, tout complet? 😮 Tu regardes bien sur les sites propres des hôtels et pas sur un site intermédiaire (genre booking...)?
… que je suis à la lettre car je viens de réserver 1 nuit à Furnace Creek –(~180€ aie) mais content J
Etant donné que tu m’as mis la pression également sur Monument Valley, je souhaitais réserver aujourd’hui l’hôtel à Mexican Hat mais je t’avoue que je patine pas mal… Les moteures de recherche me renvoies tous à Kayenta (qui n’a pas l’air si loin) ou beaucoup trop loin (Blanding, Monticello etc..) Voici ce que j’ai trouvé, pourrais-tu stp me conseiller l’un d’entre eux ?
- Hatrockinn (apapremment à Mexican Hat) => je veux bien que tu check car ils disent qu’ils sont à Mexican Hat puis ensuite qu’ils sont à 22 miles de Mexican Hat… Je m’y perds .. http://www.hatrockinn.com
- Hamptonn Inn Kayenta (pas à Mexican Hat mais à Kayenta) sur un plan, cela paraît proche mais est-ce jouable ou pas (sachant que je partage ton avis : monument valley c’est le lieux que j’ai le + hâte de découvrir) C’est juste dommage qu’il n’y ait plus de place à Monument Valley View hôtel L ?
- View Hotel & Goulding’s lodge (complets – j’ai vérifié sur leur propre site).
- Idéés ?
ð Comme ça, j’aurai plutôt tendance à me diriger vers Kayenta ou pourquoi pas Hatrockinn mais j’attend impatiemment ton conseil J
Suite à ton retour sur l’hôtel proche de Monument Valley et une fois celui-ci booké, je reviendrai probablement vers toi pours les hôtels à réserver à Springdale, Tropic & Page mais promis seulement si je galère à trouver le bon J
Je suis allé au Hat Rock Inn l'année dernière, très bien. Apparemment les tarifs ont augmenté car ils ont construit une piscine depuis. Je confirme qu'il s'agit bien du lien que tu m'as donné, et c'est à Mexican Hat.
Le San Juan Inn n'est pas très loin du Hat Rock Inn.
Et voici mon parcours avec hôtel.
Night : 107-juilSAN FRANCISCOHotel HerbertNight : 208-juilSAN FRANCISCOHotel HerbertNight : 309-juilSAN FRANCISCOHotel HerbertNight : 410-juilOAKHURST, CAAmericas Best Value InnNight : 511-juilOAKHURST, CAAmericas Best Value InnNight : 612-juilTHREE RIVERSWestern Holiday Lodge Three RiversNight : 713-juilDEATH VALLEY, CAFurnace Creek RanchNight : 814-juilLAS VEGAS, NVEXCALIBURNight : 915-juilLAS VEGAS, NVEXCALIBURNight : 1016-juilSPRINGDALEMajestic View LodgeNight : 1117-juilTROPICBryce Canyon InnNight : 1218-juilTROPICBryce Canyon InnNight : 1319-juilPAGESuper 8 PageNight : 1420-juilMEXICAN HATHAT ROCK INNNight : 1521-juilTUSAYANHolliday Inn Express Grand CanyonNight : 1622-juilLOS ANGELES, CABest Western PLUS Gateway HotelNight : 1723-juilLOS ANGELES, CABest Western PLUS Gateway HotelNight : 1824-juilLOS ANGELES, CABest Western PLUS Gateway HotelNight : 1925-juilLOS ANGELES, CABest Western PLUS Gateway HotelNight : 2026-juilLOS ANGELES, CABest Western PLUS Gateway HotelNight : 2127-juilSan FranciscoBest Western Plus El Rancho Inn & Suites
Qu'ne penses-tu ?
Je souhaiterais juste retirer une nuit à Los Angeles pour passer une nuit sur la côte.
Je ne retire qu'une nuit car je partirai du Grand Canyion probablement en mi-fin de journée donc à mon arrivée à LA, pas de visite, il me resterait donc (si j'anuule une nuit) 3 jours à LA, dont 2 seulement pour visiter car je ferai une journée au Studio Universal.
J'aimerai visiter Hollywhood Blvd (&Sunset Blvd ?), Beverly Hills, Malibu... Mais je sais qu'il y a poas mal d'autres trucs à visiter donc je galère et hésite dans mon organisation : Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills, maisons des stars et Rodéo drive...
Je suis preneur de tout conseil :)
Si tu m'invites à annuler ma dernière nuit, je devrai tout annuler à LA et réserver à nouveau, tu me conseilles quel quartier ? De préférence, pas un quartier qui craint trop, que ma femme se sente bien si elle veut aller faire son petit tour ;)
Beverly Hills ? (ah oui puis pas trop cher lool).
Encore un giga merci d'avance opur tes conseils :)
Nuit 1 : San Francisco (Hôtel Herbert) => Arrivée prévue à 16h. Jour 1 à 3 (SF) : Alamo Square, Financial District, pont sosalito... et suggestions ?
Nuit 2 : San Francisco (Hôtel Herbert) => Journée SF
Nuit 3 : San Francisco (Hôtel Herbert)=> Journée SF
Nuit 4 : Oakhurst ( Hôtel American Best Value Inn) => Jour 4 : Départ de SF le matin direction Yosemite Park
Nuit 5 : Oakhurst ( Hôtel American Best Value Inn) => Jour 5 : Yosemite Park again
Nuit 6 : Three Rivers (Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers) => Jour 6 : Départ de Oakhurst le matin direction Sequoia National Park
Nuit 7 : Death Valley (Furnace Creek Ranch) => Jour 7 : Départ de Three Rivers le matin direction Death Valley
Nuit 8 : Las Vegas : (Excalibur) => Jour 8 : Death Valley le matin (ou la journée entière ?) et départ l'après-midi (ou le soir?) direction Las Vegas
Nuit 9 : Las Vegas : (Excalibur) => Jour 9 : Las Vegas
Nuit 10 : Springale (Majestic View Lodge) => Jour 10 : Départ de Las Vegas le matin direction Springdale (on aura le temps de commencer à visiter Zion Park ?)
Nuit 11 : Tropic (Bryce Canyon Inn) => Jour 11 : Zion Park et direction Tropic le soir
Nuit 12 : Tropic (Bryce Canyon Inn) => Jour 12 : Bryce Canyon
Nuit 13 : Page (Super 8 Page) => Jour 13 : départ de Tropic le matin pour visiter lake Powell même jour (faisable ?)
Nuit 14 : Mexican Hat (Hat Rock Inn) => Jour 14 : Si faisable, départ de Page le matin direction Monument Valley
Nuit 15 : Tusayan (Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon) => Jour 15 : Départ de Mexican Hat le matin direction Grand Canyon
Nuit 16 : Los Angeles (Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel) => Jour 16 : Grand Canyon la journée et en fin de journée longue route pour LA (Si pas trop tard le soir, promenade sur Sta Monica)
Nuit 17 : Los Angeles (Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel) => Jour 17 : LA (Musée Guerry le matin, puis Westhood (dont Campus), Beverly Hills et Hollywood Blvd
Nuit 18 : Los Angeles (Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel) => Jour 18 : Studios Universal
Nuit 19 : Los Angeles (Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel)=> Jour 19 : plage (Sta Monica) puis Venice beach (Venice boardwalk, canaux)
Nuit 20 : Los Angeles (Best Western Plus Gateway Hotel) => Jour 20 : plage again - Malibu (Carbon beach ou Malibu lagoon, Pepperdine university, Pacific Coast Highway)
Nuit 21 : San Francisco (Best Western Plus El Rancho Inn & Suites) => ce que nous n'aurons pas fait en début de séjour à SF (dépar aéroport 19h)
Nuit 22 : Dans les airs, finito :(
Voili voilou our mon parcours, j'ai réservé toute les nuits, mon inquiétude porte sur lo'organisation entre chaque étape (départ de l'hôtel le matin, le soir ???) je te laisse regarder mon parcours et suis preneur de tes moindres conseils :) Par exemple, selon mon parcours je dors à Page la Nuit 13, donc je devrai aller vite vite à Monument Valley si je veux avoir le temps de visiter MONUMENT VALLEy car le lendemain matin (après une nuit à Mexican Hat), je dois déjà partir le matin pour visite du Grand Canyon... Qu'en dis-tu, tout cela est jouable ? suffisant pour Monument Valley, Lake Powell etc... ?
Monument Valley se visite en 3h environ de préférence en fin d'après-midi donc pas de souci pour cette étape là en partant de Page en fin de matinée. Tu pourras même faire un petit crochet par Goosenecks State Park.
Nuit 13 : Page (Super 8 Page) => Jour 13 : départ de Tropic le matin pour visiter lake Powell même jour (faisable ?)
Faudra faire des choix !
Il y a Horseshoe Bend en 1h00 en gros et Antelope Canyon si tu peux y être avant Midi.
La croisière de 2h00 en fin de journée possible éventuellement
Je sollicite votre aide dans la construction de notre itinéraire de 3 semaines dans l'ouest des Etats-Unis. Notre seule contrainte est le vol (et la location…
Actuellement, nous démarrons notre projet. Plein d'endroits nous attirent, mais nous pensons privilégier Yellostowne. Je me sens pas l'âme aventurière à 100%,…
Je dois etre une personne assez speciale, puisque à près d'un mois du départ je change d'itinéraire ^^ (oui je sais on a encore rien reservé, c'est prévu pour…
Nous partons à 4 dans l'ouest américain en aout prochain. Nous avons déjà une ébauche de planning et itinéraire, que je vous soumets. Samedi 30/07 Los Angeles-…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 14 replies
Après analyse et lectures de nombreux posts, ci dessous le projet d'itinéraire pour nos 3 semaines en aout2013 (avec enfants de 6 à 12 ans), sachant que le fil…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
