Quel plaisir de se retrouver à nouveau sur le forum des USA ! Après un fabuleux voyage (principalement au Wyoming et South Dakota) réalisé en juillet 2011 grâce aux lectures et conseils pertinents des habitués de ce forum, l'envie d'un nouveau périple dans l'ouest me taraudait toujours. Mais mes deux grands enfants avaient envie de découvrir d'autres horizons et c'est ainsi que nous avons réalisé deux très beaux voyages en Asie (Thaïlande et Vietnam). Mais puisqu'il ne sera pas possible d'organiser des vacances à quatre en été 2014 (les études avant tout), j'ai évoqué à mon mari l'envie de revoir les pierres rouges de l'ouest des USA ... Quelle surprise lorsque deux jours plus tard, il m'a questionné : "Alors, tu nous le prépares ce nouveau voyage dans l'ouest ?". Alors là, je l'adore ... surtout qu'il me donne carte blanche ! Depuis, je bouillonne ... tous ces magnifiques sites découverts via les carnets de voyage, ces pistes où d'aucuns osent s'aventurer, j'aimerais pouvoir les inclure dans un voyage d'exception, et j'espère que vous m'aiderez à en finaliser les détails. En voici les grandes lignes :
Durée : trois semaines
Période : départ vers la mi-mai 2014
Participants : couple de 62 et 53 ans
Itinéraire envisagé :
Préambule : nous avons réalisé un voyage de 3 semaines en 2006 qui nous a permis de survoler de nombreux sites mais qui nous a laissé (surtout à moi !) un goût de trop peu (à vouloir voir trop on ne voit rien). Il s'agissait d'une boucle autour de Los Angeles (Grand Circle + Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, ...). Je souhaite donc me limiter à une boucle autour de Las Vegas afin d'explorer les coins et recoins du nord de l'Arizona et du sud de l'Utah. Voici ce que j'envisage :
J1 : Las Vegas (1 nuit)
J2 : Peach Springs (1 nuit)
J3 et J4 : Havasupai (2 nuits) - descente à pied, remontée en hélico. Question : j'ai lu que "Craig" envisageait de créer un bed & breakfast ... qq en sait-il plus ? Comment le joindre ?
J5 : Grand Canyon, South Rim - début de randonnée (trop vieux pour descendre en bas !) et points de vue, coucher et lever du soleil
J6 à J10 : Page (5 nuits) - CBS, CBN (lotterie ... on peut rêver !), Edmaier's Secreet, White pocket, Bulckin Gulch, Antelope Canyon lower et upper, horseshoebend ... Je m'y perds dans tous ces sites mais je voudrais faire appel aux "Dodson" pour l'organisation de deux journées, en espérant qu'ils seront libres ! Pour info, en 2011, nous avions juste loué un bateau pour une journée sur le lac.
J11 : Monument Valley - logement à l'hôtel The View.
J12 à J14 : Moab - Delicate Arch au sunset, Fisher towers, Dead Horse point et Mesa Arch, vol de Canyonlands jusqu'à Monument valley et lac Powel, Shafer trail et potash road, ...
J15 : Capitol Reef (1 nuit) - Vallée des cathédrales, piste depuis Caineville Road jusque Thousand Lake Road
Route 12 et Burr trail Road jusque Bryce ??? C'est une partie où je me perds un peu pour le moment ... j'aimerais passer par Grand Escalante Staircase mais je ne sais pas s'il est logique de le placer à cet endroit du circuit ???
J16 et J17 : Bryce Canyon (2 nuits) - randonnées Queens Garden, Peek a boo, Navajo trail
J18 et J19 : Zion (2 nuits) - rando les Narrows + ?
Passage par la Valley of fire avant de rallier
Las Vegas (2 nuits) - spectacles "O" et "Love"
Voici ma première ébauche pour laquelle j'aimerais vos avis afin de procéder aux réservations les plus urgentes :
Billets d'avion (probablement British Airways via Londres)
Havasupai
The View à MV
et de contacter les "Dodson" pour leur demander s'ils peuvent nous consacrer deux jours.
Je vous remercie de m'avoir lu et je suis impatiente de lire vos commentaires et critiques ...
Pour reparler un peu de tes grandes lignes qui ressemblent beaucoup à notre itinéraire de cet été.
2 ou 3 remarques:
J6 à J10 : Page (5 nuits) - CBS, CBN (lotterie ... on peut rêver !
Ce n'est vraiment pas pratique de loger à Page et de vouloir participer à la loterie qui se situe à Kanab (en plus il y a une heure de décalage horaire en ta défaveur), il faut vraiment loger à Kanab.
Route 12 et Burr trail Road jusque Bryce ???
Non, le Burr tarail ne vous mènera pas à Bryce mais il est vraiment à faire !
j'aimerais passer par Grand Escalante Staircase mais je ne sais pas s'il est logique de le placer à cet endroit du circuit ???
Oui après le Burr Trail, la Hole in the Rock Road dessert pas mal de superbes randonnées dans le secteur et cerise sur le gâteau, il y a un superbe B&B à escalante !
Merci pour cette réponse rapide ! J'ai juste regardé l'itinéraire de votre voyage et waouh, quel itinéraire ! Je suis impatiente de découvrir tous les détails de votre voyage qui j'en suis sûre, m'aidera à peaufiner le mien. Ce sera pour demain car le sommeil m'appelle ...
L'appel de l'ouest est le + fort😉... on se retrouve😛...
"J5 : Grand Canyon, South Rim - début de randonnée (trop vieux pour descendre en bas !)"
La rando jusque Cedar Ridge (voire un peu plus bas) via South Kaibab trail est déjà superbe.
Entre Moab et Torrey: bcp de possibilités près de Hanksville:
Goblin Valley SP
Little Wild Horse Canyon
Crack Canyon
Horseshoe Canyon/Five Hole Arch
sur la 95: Dirty Devil Overlook et Little Egypt
Pour passer un peu de temps ds le Grand Escalante Staircase NM:
après J15 : Capitol Reef (1 nuit) - Vallée des cathédrales
J16: Notom Bulfrog + Burr trail (avec la rando Stryke Valley overlook) + rando Calf Creek + scenic Rd 12
Nuit à Escalante
J17: Escalante - piste HITRR (bcp de possibilités de randos: au choix , Devil’s Garden, Zebra slot canyon, le trio Dry Fork/Spooky et Peekabbo Gulch, Sunset Arch, Broken Bow Arch, Dance Hall Rock)
Nuit à Escalante
J18: route vers Bryce en faisant une incursion sur la CCR (Grosvenor Arch) et Willis Creek (sur la piste Skutumpah Rd), arrivée à Bryce
il y a aussi énormément de possibilités superbes autour de St George:
Yant Flat (tout nouveau et superbe site découvert il y a peu)
Little Finland (loin ds le wilderness)
Water Canyon /White Domes (Canaan Mountains), près de Hildale
Kanarra Creek près de Cedar City
+ peut-être ds une moindre mesure: Snow Canyon et Red Cliffs (très beau qd il y a des pools, ce qui sera sans doute le cas mi-mai)
D'autres idées: Avez-vs déjà fait la piste CCR en entier pour relier Bryce à Page (avec Grosvenor Arch, Candyland, Yellow Rock, Red Top notamment...)
Vs allez devoir prévoir d'encore y retourner plusieurs fois😏
Bonne prépa!
e souhaite donc me limiter à une boucle autour de Las Vegas afin d'explorer les coins et recoins du nord de l'Arizona et du sud de l'Utah.
Nous avons fait en 2009 et 2012 la majorité des sites que tu envisages ; tu peux regarder notre site pour plus d'infos (voir en signature).
Tu peux aussi ajouter la région de Sedona puisque vous passez pas loin.
contacter les "Dodson"
Il suffit de leur envoyer un mail pour savoir s'ils sont dispos dans le créneau envisagé ; ils ont aussi une chambre d'hôtes.
Comme vous n'êtes que 2, avez vous envisagé de dormir dans la voiture ? Confort spartiate, soit, mais quelle liberté. Une nuit à l'hôtel de temps en temps. Ne me parle pas de l'âge, nous avons pratiquement le même (61-41).
J5 : Grand Canyon, South Rim - début de randonnée (trop vieux pour descendre en bas !)
Sedonax te répondrait que ce n'est pas l'âge mais l'entrainement 😉 mais je te comprends. Nous avons descendu South Kaibab Trail jusqu'à Cedar Ridge et il "suffit" de remonter à son rythme 😎.
J6 à J10 : Page (5 nuits) - CBS, CBN (lotterie ... on peut rêver !),
L'inconvénient de The Wave, c'est que le tirage se fait maintenant à Kanab ; j'ai donc fait une croix dessus, il y a tellement à faire dans les parages.
J12 à J14 : Moab - ...vol de Canyonlands jusqu'à Monument valley et lac Powel,
C'est le vol de 3h, nous n'avons fait QUE le vol de 2h ; que du bonheur. Un de nos meilleurs souvenirs. Une occasion unique de découvrir d'une autre manière ces paysages si merveilleux.
J16 et J17 : Bryce Canyon (2 nuits)
2 nuits oui, mais une seule journée est généralement considérée comme suffisant.
Merci de ton intervention ... Tu m'avais déjà bien aidé sur notre voyage de 2011 😉 et tu es dans les premières à me conseiller pour le prochain !
Je note tous tes bons conseils mais je suis consciente qu'il va falloir faire des choix (ca nous donnera effectivement l'occasion de revenir !). Pour répondre à ta question, nous n'avions emprunté aucune piste lors de notre premier voyage aux USA ... et je ne connais pas la piste CCR qui relie Bryce à Page ... J'ai juste défini quelques priorités (notamment approfondir les zones autour de Page et de Moab) et je vais maintenant jouer avec les pièces du puzzle pour établir un itinéraire cohérent (et prévoir des plans B en cas de pistes impraticables). Je n'ai volontairement pas fait une trop grande boucle (quoique c'est déjà pas mal) mais ces régions recèlent tant de merveilles que je sens que mes soirées vont être bien occupées durant les semaines et les mois qui suivent.
Je vais néanmoins essayer d'être raisonnable pour ne pas avoir de carte rouge !
Je connais bien entendu ton site qui m'avait donné très envie d'en concevoir un (je t'avais envoyé un message en août auquel tu m'avais gentiment répondu) mais j'en suis toujours aux prémices. Je vais le visiter à nouveau mais pour le moment j'accumule une telle masse d'informations que je me perds un peu : il va falloir remettre de l'ordre dans tout cela !
J'avais aussi envisagé la région de Sedona (en arrivant éventuellement de Phonix) mais j'ai peur de vouloir trop en faire et c'est pourquoi je préfère y renoncer pour ce voyage (ça permettra de revenir !).
Pour les "Dodson", je serais très heureuse d'avoir leur mail (je n'ai pas encore cherché l'information sur le forum ... peut-être a-t-elle été donnée).
"Dormir dans la voiture" ... c'est vrai que ça a un côté pratique et que ça permet de réaliser des économies d'un côté pour faire des petites folies d'un autre ... Je vais voir avec ma moitié car il a des problèmes de dos et je crains qu'une mauvaise nuit ne bouleverse les plans du lendemain (il a tendance à être de mauvaise humeur qd il a mal dormi 😏).
Je vais tenter la lotterie par internet ... on verra si on est chanceux ! Mais je suis consciente que nous ne serons pas déçus des autres sites environnants ... même si The wave est un rêve que je souhaiterais concrétiser tant que nous avons encore une forme relative (à l'âge s'ajoute malheureusement le manque d'entraînement ... même si j'ai bien l'intention de me préparer un peu mieux physiquement pour ce voyage).
J'ai prévu deux nuits à Bryce pour pouvoir prendre le temps de visiter Valley of Fire le deuxième jour ... mais peut-être serait-il mieux de dormir près ou dans Valley of Fire ?
Depuis quelque temps je pense à définir le projet d'un voyage autour des parcs de l'Utah principalement. A priori je voyais Mai 2015 comme période, à voir si…
- Les billets d'avion sont acquis: Aller-retour BIARRITZ-PARIS CDG-ATLANTA-PHOENIX. Des escales mais bagages embarqués. Nous bénéficions depuis peu de vols…
Après avoir fait le circuit 'classique' en 2016, me voila reparti dans un nouveau projet pour 2019, oui je sais c'est loin: (Mais au moins j'ai le temps de…
Après un petit tour par l'Asie, le virus de l'ouest me reprend et voilà quelques semaines que je lis avec beaucoup de plaisir discussions et carnets sur cette…
Notre soif d'Amérique n'étant pas étanchée... Que du contraire (elle est plutôt exacerbée, suite à notre voyage de cet été...), je projette d'y retourner en…
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
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!
