Tout d'abord, merci à tous ceux qui post sur ce forum, et qui m'aident pour notre prochain voyage. Maintenant un petit descriptif de ce parcours que j'attend avec impatience, maintenant que beaucoup d'entre vous sont de retour, je pioche dans leurs récits
du 22/10 au 24/10 LOS ANGELES
le 25/10 BARSTOW
le 26/10 KINGMAN
du 27/10 au 29/10 PHOENIX
le 30/10 GRAND CANYON
le 31/10 MONUMENT VALLEY
le 1/11 BRYCE CANYON
du 2/11 au 4/11 LAS VEGAS
le 5/11 Retour à LOS ANGELES
Mon ami et moi connaissont déjà tous ces endroits (sauf PHOENIX), mais cette fois çi nous emmenons mon neveu qui a 14 ans et ma belle soeur qui ne connaissent absolument pas les Etats Unis.
Vous allez peut être me dire que ça fait beaucoup de route, je suis d'accord, mais il est vrai que lorsque l'on est là bas, on ne se rend pas compte des kilomètres, avec ces paysages magnifiques.
J'ai juste un peu peur des températures à Bryce et au Grand Canyon, mais on ne dort pas sous une tente.....
Si vous avez des endroits bien particuliers à me recommander dans mon voyage, n'hésitez pas, il y a tellement de choses à voir
par exemple, pour voir LOS ANGELES d'en haut, je crois qu'il y a l'observatoire ?
Ben si tu lis les récits je ne pense pas que tu trouves beaucoup d'étapes à Barstow, Kingman et surtout Phoenix 🤪 On y passe et c'est tout ... pour Phoenix, on évite même plutôt 😛
Tu devrais plutôt intégrer Death Valley et le lac Powell
Merci "vazyvite" de ta réponse, mais j'ai fait l'année dernière la Death Valley et le Lac Powell je l'ai fait 2 fois, donc pas cette année. Pour ce qui est de Phoenix je comptais visiter le jardin botanic, car ma belle soeur aime bien ce genre d'endroit, (il faut faire plaisir à tout le monde) et aussi une base militaire (je ne sais plus le nom exact) ou il y a des anciens avions (pour mon ami et mon neveu), et puis il y a le Heart Attack grill 😉😉😉 (peut être pas pour moi), enfin on verra sur place.
Laurence
Concernant Barstow je confirme il ne s'agit que d'une étape où règne une chaleur torride ( bon d'accord j'y étais cet été à l'a mi Aout :p )
Si tu vas à Bryce Canyon ( notre préféré avec Monument Valley ) je te conseille d'aller à Zion Canyon à environ 2h de routes petit canyon magnifique que tu visites ( et loges ) par le bas. Très beau park, des shuttles gratuit et fréquent ( tous les 6 mn ) pour visiter, des balades grandioses !Fais quelques recherche d'images tu seras conquise !
Coé température : Au mois d'Aout Grand Canyon c'est 40° la journée et on a eut 5° la nuit ! ( en camping ça caille ! ) Donc prévoit des affaires chaudes ! Bryce Canyon les températures la nuit étaient plus clémentes !
Coté route je te comprend, jai fais 4500 k en 16 jours, sans problèmes, j'ai adoré conduire la bas !
Enjoy
Nationalité Franco Suisse
Grèce Printemps 2007
Italie été 2008
Ouest Américain été 2009
Prévu : Syrie Printemps 2010
La base militaire Davis Monthan Air Force Base avec le cimetière d'avions Airplane Graveyard http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/1426 , http://www.dm.af.mil/ et le musée de l'aviation Pima Air and Space Museum , tout cela est à Tucson à 2h de route au sud de Phoenix.
Pour ce qui est de Phoenix je comptais visiter le jardin botanic, car ma belle soeur aime bien ce genre d'endroit
A Los Angeles, ou plutot une banlieue a l'est, je recommande le "Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens". Le jardin de cactus est le meilleur que j'ai jamais vu. Tout les jardins sont magnifiques. Les galeries d'art sont interessantes aussi.
http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary.aspx?id=210&linkidentifier=id&itemid=210
Je suis d'accord avec Leviathanx concernant Zion NP. Et en Octobre, les temperatures a Zion sont normalement tres confortables.
Nous commençons tout juste à rassembler des informations pour organiser un périple de ce type l'été prochain, avec 3 enfants. Notre point de départ puis retour devrait être San Francisco.
Une de mes premières questions pour organiser notre voyage dans les parcs américains, c'est le choix des modes de transport et hébergement :option 1 : location de camping car. Mais à 5 pendant 2 semaines, je crains que ce soit un peu trop exigu. Et les premiers tarifs trouvés sur internet sont assez chers.option 2 : location de voiture classique + hotel/motel/campingComment avez-vous organisé vos déplacements ?
Perso nous avons fait les parcs nationaux en camping. Contrairement à ce que tu peux lire dans le guide du routards il y a toujours de la place ( meme au mois d'Aout ) et tous les campings que nous avons fait sont dans des emplacements agréables avec table de picnic et barbecue. Dépaysant à chaque fois !
Bien sur à SF et LV c'était hotel ainsi que dans la Death Valley !
Nationalité Franco Suisse
Grèce Printemps 2007
Italie été 2008
Ouest Américain été 2009
Prévu : Syrie Printemps 2010
Ah oui concernant les RV's : on en a croisé beaucoup et c'est clair qu'il y a des avantages ! Mais : temps de parcours rallongé - consommation plus élevé - emplacement beaucoup plus cher en camping - et souvent emplacement moins sympathique
Évidemment après à 5 a peu devenir rentable a toi de voir !
Nationalité Franco Suisse
Grèce Printemps 2007
Italie été 2008
Ouest Américain été 2009
Prévu : Syrie Printemps 2010
Bonjour,
encore une couche sur Tucson :
- Saguaro National Park (ouest et/ou est)
- Arizona Sonora Desert Museum où, avec un gamin de 14 ans, tu devrais pouvoir passer la journée sans problème, tellement il y a à voir.
Los Angeles, ou plutot une banlieue a l'est, je recommande le "Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens". Le jardin de cactus est le meilleur que j'ai jamais vu. Tout les jardins sont magnifiques. Les galeries d'art sont interessantes aussi.
http://www.huntington.org/...er=id&itemid=210
Je partage complètement ton avis , c' est magnifique . Mais je dirais plutôt situé au N de Los Angeles , + précisément vers Pasadena . Pas très loin il y a aussi le Norton Simon museum , avec un beau jardin inspiré de celui de Monet à Giverny .
Mais en matière de beaux jardins paysagers avec des tas de fleurs ou cactées différentes , ceux du Getty Center , qui dominent un immense panorama sur Los Angeles méritent vraiment le détour ( compter 1/2 journée avec visite guidée gratuite de l' ensemble architectural ) .
Nous avons fait le périple avec nos 3 enfants avec l'option auto + tentes de camping dans les parcs nationaux + hotels dans les villes du type Los Angeles, Las Vegas....
Question tente, comme le parcours est prévu pour l'été il vaut mieux avoir une tente pour pays chauds bien aérée. Pour notre part nous étions partis avec des Quecha 3s et n'avons pu résister à acheter au premier Wallmart une tente plus adéquat avec les températures locales. Pour 60 $ nous avons eu une immense tente "dôme" pour 6 qui ressemble à une grande moustiquaire à laquelle il est possible de fixer un double toit.
Question hotels, suivant l'âge des enfants ceux ci sont comptabilisés comme gratuits, à voir selon chaque hotel. Réserver une chambre pour 4 est l'idéal la 5ième personne dormant au sol sur l'un des matelas de camping. (essayer de réserver côute q coute un lit supplémentaire "cot" etc.. ne m'a pas semblé la meilleure solution au fil du voyage, car ces lits n'assurent pas forcément un meilleur couchage q directement au sol ! et surtout cela mange toute la place..bien même lorsque l'on a l'impression q la chambre est grande).
Sinon selon votre parcours même une voiture traditionnelle peut passer difficilement si vous compter faire un peu de piste, alors ....en camping car...!?
Bonjour,
et merci pour les conseils. Je n'avais pas envisagé du tout qu'un camping car ne puisse pas circuler partout.
Bon en même temps, je ne suis pas sûr que l'on s'éloigne des axes principaux, qui mènent d'un site "à voir absolument" un autre site "à voir absolument" !
C'est déjà ça la difficulté : faire le choix !
Je pense effectivement qu'il peut y avoir des passages un peu chaud en camping car bien qu'il se peut que quelqu'un te dise :" moi je l'ai fait".
Je pense par ex tout simplement, à la piste que l'on pratique pour visiter Monument Valley sans obligatoirement payer les services des 4x4 Navajos qui feront le même trajet.
Ou bien encore à la montée très pitoresque car très vertigineuse à mon gout... tu te demandes si cela est encore une route !....pour te rendre vers Moab afin de visiter les parcs tels Arches et Canyonlands....je me demande comment "ça le fait" avec un camping car pour 5 personnes !....Mais bon je me laisse peut être impressionnée facilement ?..
Pour l'anecdocte voilà ce qu'en dit Dominique sur son site roadtripp'in
Mokee Dugway http://www.roadtrippin.fr/fr/usa/utah/muley/site-muley.php
Si vous empruntez l'UT261, arrêtez vous juste avant d'emprunter les impressionnants lacets (à plus de 10%) qui permettent de quitter le plateau et de rejoindre la plaine de Mexican Hat.
D'ici, vous aurez une vue extraordinaire sur Valley of the Gods et la route UT261 tracée au cordeau.
Et, en camping car, il est certain que certain chemins te seront impossibles si l'envie te prend de vouloir t'écarter un peu.
D'autre part, il est bon de savoir qu'en camping sous toile, il peut faire très chaud comme très froid, pour ma part je pense surtout à Bryce après une bonne pluie d'orage c'est glacial...et il faut alors prévoir duvet chaud + sur-duvet de type polaire, car ce n'est pas un luxe !
Pour voir Los Angeles d'en haut, monte jusqu'au lettres HOLLYWOOD sur la montagne, on a une super vue, va y vers le soir quand les lumières s'allument c'est super, on a fait ça il y a 10 jours.
Je vais prendre la défense de Barstow car il y a surtout du monde pour casser cette ville. Si on fait L.A à Las Vegas direct, c'est sur on passe à Barstow ou plutot à coté de Barstow car la route fait le tour. Surtout sur des itinéraires à touristes, tu vas voir c'est super, Bartstow est un ville d'environ 22000 habitants traversé par la route 66 qui est l'avenue principale. C'est une ville au milieu du désert typique amérique profonde, c'est sur si tu cherches night club ou trucs comme ça, va ailleurs, si par contre tu cherches ambiance campagne américaine, calme, et paysage arrete toi. Le paysage du désert le soir est fantastique, j'ai fais la route Barstow - Mojave pas un touriste, le pied. Dans le genre "casse d'avions Davis Monthan" ou sont stokés les anciens avions militaires, fait l'aéroport de Mojave, il y a un cimetiere d'avion de ligne qui se visite.
Grand Cayon, prends le temps de descendre en bas, à Grand cayon village il y a un chemin.
Monument Valley, ben la ...... c'est vraiment top !
.
Salut à tous
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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!
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?
