Comme l'indique le titre de ce post je reviens d'un petit, tout petit séjour dans l'ouest des USA et je souhaite comme d'hab faire un petit retour d'experience sur le forum pour eventuellement répondre à d'eventuelles questions que certains d'entre vous peuvent se poser....
Alors voilà mon programme,
Départ avec ma copine dimanche 23 aout à 6H30 de l'aéroport de luxembourg, destionation San francisco avec une éscale à AMSTERDAM.
La compagnie c'était KLM, pas mal mais j 'ai connu mieux ( BRITISH, LUFTHANSA par exemple.)
Arrivée à SFO à 13H30, en nous dépechant un peu, on a réussi à passer l'immigration et à récuperer nos valisés en moins d'une heure. Du coup on a sauté dans le BART et pris la direction du centre ville, arret POWELL. Notre Hotel, Le STRATFORD était situé à 3 minutes à pied de la station, au début de POWELL ST. Un hôtel que je ne saurai que vous conseiller, idéalement situé, pas très chère ( 50 E la nuit avec petit dej). Le petit point négative est la taille de la chambre, un poil petite, mais bon c'etait vraiment que pour y dormir. Nous sommes donc resté 3 jours et 3 nuits à SF. Effectivement, c'est court, très court, du coup je pense avoir manqué des incontournables comme le GOLDEN GATE PARK... Bref parlons plutôt de ce que j 'ai pu voir et faire. Alors depuis l'hotel balade à pied jusqu à chinatown, puis jusqu à la coit tower, histoire d'avoir une vue sympa sur la ville. ensuite direction Russian HILL, vraiment très belle rue ou colline...enfin c'est les deux finalement. Beau panorama et beau point de vue, à 1 minute à pied d'une station cable car...
Le lendemain visite de fisherman's warf le matin, avec repas au pier 39. A voir, c'est assez mignon, un peu touristique mais bon... Sympa à voir les lions de mers...
Après midi visite d'alcatraz, je la conseille... très belle balade avec un audio guide en francais. Le prix du tour ( bateau + visite ) = 28$
Le lendemain on a loué des vélo chez blazing saddles histoire de traverser le GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, et d'aller jusqu a sausalito... vraiment pas mal, le pont est énorme l'ocean et magnifique.... ca nous a pris 6 heures envrion, en pedalant trankilou et en faisant de nombreux arrets, prix de la loc et du retour en bateau environ 85$.
On arrive au mercredi, départ de SFO pour la vegas avec VIRGIN AMERICA, super compagnie et pas chere, 45 euros les billet + 15 $ pour enregistrer la valise. 1 heure 30 plus tard, arrivée vegas. On pris la navette gratuite de l'aéroport qui nous a emené au centre de voiture de loc. On avait reservé chez AVIS, 3 jours 100 euros.
Une fois la voiture recuperée, on a filé par l 'I 15 direction le nord. Petit crochet à la valley of FIRE STATE PARK, à voir, assez joli, de très belles couleurs.., assez chaud par contre, prevoir de l'eau, beaucoup d'eau. APres 3 heures de visites, avec 2 petites rando de trente minutes, on a repris la route pour HURRICANE. ON avait reservé au RODEWAY INN, 28 euros avec petit dej.
Lendemain matin, soit jeudi, départ pour ZION. On a acheté le PASS "beautiful america" et on s'est precipité dans la navette gratuite, impatient de découvrir ce canyon. Ce jour là on a decidé de se faire la rando Angel's landing. Ca nous pris environ 5 heures, ca monte, c'est crevant, mais c'est MAGNIFIQUE.... vraiment à faire meme si on a le vertige, ca vaut vraiment le coup.
Cette nuit la on a dormi au best western de springdale... on y est resté 2 nuits d'ailleurs... SUPERBE hotel, style chalet..
Le vendredi, départ pour BRYCE canyon... Deux rando ce jours la, queens garden combinée avec navajo loop et la petite balade de bryce point à inspiration point...SUPERBE !!!
Sur la route du retour pour SPRINGDALE, on s'est arreté dans un petit resto dont j'ai oublié le nom... BRYCE PINES, quelque chose du genre pour y deguster de savoureuse tarte faites maison..MMmmmmm....
Samedi matin...dernier jour au best western et dernier moments pour profiter de zion une derniere fois... Rando à emerald pool, sympa on s'est fait le 3 en 2 heures, c'etait joli !!!!
Apres un petit repas au restaurant des pioniers de springdale ( bon resto avec buffet de salade gartuit le soir ) on a pris la route pour vegas
A vegas on séjourné 3 nuits à l'ORLEANS, un peu loin du strip, mais un navette gratuite faite la rotation toutes les 20 minutes. L'hotel est pas mal, belle piscine, buffet pas cher et copieux... On a payé 90 euros pour 3 nuits...
Sur vegas, on s'est principalement détendu. On a descendu le strip de jour et de nuit, mangé au belagio, fait le hall des casinos, et on a été faire un tour au las vegas preminum outlet...( pratique pour y aller avec bus )
Tout ca nous emmene au mardi, date du retour.... 🤪
J 'ai éssayer de résumer un max... si vous avez des questions, j'eserai volontier d'y répondre....
Merci pour le resume.
Le 18 septembre je demarre mon voyage exactement comme toi !
Depart de Lux a 6h30 - Amsterdam (KLM) et 3 nuits a SF..... ensuite on descend jusque LA par la Highway one.
A SF j'ai prevu +/- le meme programme que toi: viste de la ville a pied, location de velo pour le golden gate et sausalito
Que conseilles-tu de ne pas rater a SF ? Y a-t-il des choses que tu regrettes apres coup ?
J'hesite encore pour alcatraz.. difficile de tout caser en 3 jours. T'as pas fait la 49 mile scenic drive ? Alamo square ?
Merci pour toutes ces infos. je parts dans un mois et ça fait vraiment envie !!!
Peux tu détailler un peu plus les ballades à Bryce canyon stp
faut il etre bon marcheur ?
Combien de tps ça vous a pris ... ?
Non KLM Toulouse Washington escale Amsterdam retour Atlanta Toulouse escale Amsterdam 575 euros les 14 septembre et 1 et 2 octobre je trouve pas çà éxessifs c'était comme d'habitude les moins chers et une seule escale venant du sud ouest
Leurs vols nous conviennent on les prend chaque fois que l'on va aux USA depuis prés de 20 ans
Le cas de Toulouse est peut-être différent de Luxembourg .
Si les Airbus s' y envolent , les salaires eux décollent moins qu' au Grand Duché ! 😏
Ce n' est qu' une modeste supposition humoristico-économique ...🙂
Bonne soirée .
RE...
Pour répondre à vos différentes questions,
- Mon billet LUX- SFO, LAS VEGAS -LUX m'a couté 389 Euros ( aller retour bien sur) ... Je sais j'ai eu un prix de fou.... j'ai reservé début mai pour fin aout. En tout cas le vol aller et retour etait complet.
- A SF, j ai regretté de ne pas avoir fait le golden gate park. Chinatown, c'est sympa mais effectivement ca ne présente pas d'interet particulier. Les Piers, RUssian hill, et alcatraz ont ete les visites préferées de mon séjour....J'ai aussi adoré la balade en vélo. Conseil pour les 3 jours, prendre le pass transport MUNI pour 18$...C'est vite rentabillisé sachant qu'un voyage en cable car coute 5$
Concernant ALCATRAZ, c'est vraiment sympa. Pourquoi? Depuis l'ile tu as vu incroyable sur la baie, c'est somputeux. La balade en elle même est bien faite, avec ton audio guide en francais, tu es couper du monde et plongé dans l'histoire de cette prison, c'est vraiment intéressant! La visite plus le trajet AR ( en bateau) se fait en 2H30 environ.. donc ca ne te bouffe pas une journée...
Conseil à SF, emporte un pull...Le vent souffle et il est super froid. Après la balade en vélo, ma copine et moi avons chopé un mal de gorge... Tu pédales donc transpires et avec le vent froid qui se heurte sur toi...immagines😕
- Pour Bryce on a fait 2 balades... donc a pris le shuttle et on est descendu a sunset point. De la on a combiné la balade NAvajo loop et queens garden... compte environ 2 heures de marche. C'est pas très violent mais c'est descend bien sec au debut, c'est donc un petit peu hard pour les jambes ( principalement pour les non marcheurs) ver la fin de la balade ca remonte ( evidemment apres une descente...) et tu arrives à SUNRISE point. En fait des points sunrise et sunset, tu as vu sur tout l'amphitheatre de BRYCE, vu du haut...et que tu descends tu vois donc les hoodos depuis le bas!
Derniere balade, on a pris le shuttle jusqu'a bryce point, et la on a suivi le sentier jusqu a inspiration point. C'est pratiquement que du plat. Ca prend environ 30 minutes, et la encore la vue est MAGNIFIQUE....
Salut marie...
Donc je suis parti avec KLM, pour l'aller lux-amsterdam / amsterdam-SFO
Pour le retour j'ai voyagé avec northwestern airlines (associé à KLM) Las vegas-Minneapolis/ Minneapolis-Amsterdam / amsterdam-lux ( klm)
Au début j'ai cherché sur expedia.fr, je voulais partir du samedi 22 aout et retour le mercredi 3 sept... en fouillant j'ai vu que klm avait un bon tarif mais le dimanche 23. Du coup j'ai était sur le site de KLM et j 'ai reservé pour cette date.
Par contre avec mon billet 1er tarif aucune assurance annulation. J'ai donc pris mon assurance avec mondial assistance...
A+
J'ai presque le même prix que toi pour un Genève-NY-SFO / San Diego-NY-Genève (383 eur) départ samedi 12/9, retour dimanche 4/10 avec Continental. Je m'y suis prise mi-avril de mémoire. Ca fait vraiment un tarif intéressant d'autant que les vols au départ de France (j'ai regardé Lyon ou Paris) étaient vraiment plus chers !
Bref, pour la vue sur la baie, j'ai lu dans plusieurs commentaires que Treasure Island est pas mal du tout. Comme la visite d'Alcatraz ne m'intéresse pas (j'ai vu des photos, ça me suffit), je pense plutôt prendre l'option Treasure Island.
Par contre le Golden Gate en vélo, c'est prévu.
Bonjour à tous,
Juste une petite question, à chaque escale, devez-vous récupérer vos bagages et faire la queue pour réembarquer ?
Merci pour vos réponses.
Le premier plaisir d'un voyage, c'est de le préparer !
Moi je pars dans une semaine. J'ai une petite question : es tu parti avec des dollars sur toi ? et combien ?
Moi je pensai retirer une somme une fois sur place mais on m'a conseillé de partir avec un peu d'argent. Merci
POur les bagages, pas de pron, ils arriveront directement à ta destination finale, pas besoin de se tracasser pour les recuperer...
Pour les $$$$, on a changé l'equivalent de 150$ pour avoir un peu d'argent une fois arrivé. Par contre ne change pas d'euros, les taux de change sont merdique et les frais sont abusés. Nous on voulait changer 1000 euros, mais tu perdais environ 90 euros ...😕
Le retrait c'est la meilleure solution, mais évite de retirer 15 fois. Pour ma part, avec ma carte bleu, mes frais sont de 2, 75% du montant retirer +3 euros pour les retraits, et de 2, 75% du montant payé + 1euro pour les paiement CB...
Franchement pas mal le petit trip san francisco san diego... tu vas faire toute la californie? en passant par LA? tu as prevu quoi? Sea world à san diego? Moi j 'ai fait celui d'orlando, GENIAL 🙂
Moi je fais surtout les parcs. Mon trajet est :
- Phoenix
- Sedona
- Williams
- Grand Canyon
- Havasupai
- Monument Valley
- Antelope canyon
- Page (Lake Powell)
- Bryce Canyon
- Zion
- Las vegas
- Big Bear
- Los angeles
Cela fait déjà 2 mois que nous sommes revenus, mais je tenais absolument boucler le carnet de notre précédent voyage à Hawaii (que vous pouvez découvrir ici)…
Encore un carnet sur l’ouest des USA? Eh oui... Pourtant j’ai hésité à l’écrire, me disant qu’effectivement, il y en a déjà tellement que je me demande ce…
Après deux voyages en 2010 et 2011 dans l'ouest, nous repartons toujours à quatre (peut-être dernier grand voyage en famille) à l'Ouest des USA. Nous pouvons…
Nous repartons dans l'Ouest en septembre de cette année et je vous avoue que je suis déjà très très très impatiente de poser à nouveau le pied dans ce pays que…
Comme promis un petit compte rendu de ce qu'a été pour nous, un fabuleux voyage dans l'Ouest Américain, durant un mois en Août, et que j'ai pu préparer grâce à…
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?
