en avril 2017 nous partons faire un grand tour sur la cote ouest des Etat-Unis, je commence a préparer le trajet, et là j'arrive au grand trajet entre Grand Canyon et San Diego. En suivant les différents conseil sur les forums, nous allons prendre la route de Grand Canyon-Prescot-San Diego, mais voilà ma question est: Où s'arrêter pour dormir? quel ville a mis chemin entre grand canyon et San Diego?
merci beaucoup pour votre aide,
Prescott? pourquoi faire? est ce un passage obligé?
San Diego? mêmes interrogations - cette ville est bien (trop?) excentrée
Une vue d'ensemble de votre circuit me semble judicieuse.
Sinon, à froid ... en éliminant Prescott, désolé ... 🙂
J1 - Grand Canyon - Kingman - Oatman - (Lake Havasu ? - pas obligé : pont londonien authentique démonté et reconstruit sur place en plein désert, sur le Colorado) - nuit: 29Palms ou Yucca Valley
J2 - Yucca Valley ou 29 Palms - Joshua Tree NP - Salton Sea - Anza Borrego SP - San Diego
Les distances sont importantes ( 955kms dans le parcours ci-dessus) et les jours un peu courts en Avril - Joshua Tree et Anza Borrego, 2 fournaises en été, seront à la fois agréables mais assez chauds et vous tomberez en pleine floraison de cactus. Le j1 est du "roulage", hormis les haltes suggérées - le J2, en dormant à l'endroit indiqué, vous serez sur place au matin pour attaquer le Joshua Tree - quelques courtes randos possibles - les hébergements sont moins onéreux qu' Palm Springs, tout proche.
Bonjour Aurore,
Pourriez-vous nous dire ou commence et ou se termine votre voyage?
Pour aller du Grand Canyon a San Diego.
Voulez vous faire ce trajet rapidement ou vous arreter pour visiter en cours de route?
La route la plus courte (En distance pas forcement en temps) vous fera passer par le desert de Southern California.
Vous avez l'option de passer par Joshua Tree, si vous le faites vers le mileu Avril les cacti seront deja en fleurs. La floraison peut varier de deux semaines suivant les annees. En 2015 les cacti etaient en fleur lorsque nous sommes passes le 12 Avril.
Pour passer la nuit, il serait bien de savoir avant tout la route que vous prendrez si vous n'avez pas encore fait un choix definitif.
Joshua Tree April 12, 2015
Cordialement
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Prescott? pourquoi faire? est ce un passage obligé?
San Diego? mêmes interrogations - cette ville est bien (trop?) excentrée
Une vue d'ensemble de votre circuit me semble judicieuse.
Alain
Il disent partir pour un grand tour ...
Le vol est trop important dans un voyage pour ne regarder que le prix.
En faite nous commençons à San Francisco, 2 nuits. Puis Sacramento, 1 nuit pour voir un match de NBA. Le parc de yosemithe 1ou2 nuits. La vallée de la mort 1 nuit. L'as Vegas 2 nuits. Grand canyon et Brice canyon 2 nuits. Ensuite partir sur San Diego 1 nuit pour voir un match de NHL. Et finir par Los Angeles 2 nuits pour voir un match de NBA .
J'aimerais aussi voir du rodéo savez vous ou nous pouvons voir ça en dehors de Brice canyon (je ne voit pas de bonne critique)
La route entre le Grand Canyon et San Diego est tres belle et variee, et Prescott n'est pas vraiment excentree. Prescott est une jolie petite ville. J'ai fait cette route moi-meme dans l'autre sens. Un ami d'Arizona m'a conseille cette route. Grand Canyon->Flagstaff->Sedona->Jerome->Prescott->la route 89->la route 71->la route 60->l'autoroute 10->Blythe->Joshua Tree NP du sud au nord->Palm Springs->San Diego. A Blythe pres de la frontiere Arizone-Californie on trouve plusieurs motels. Pas besoin de reservations en avril. Si tu veux continuer, on trouve plusieurs motels a Indio un peu au-dela l'entree sud du parc. Je ne me souviens plus si il existe des motels tout pres de l'entree sud du parc national. L'entree nord du parc a Twentynine Palms a plusieurs motels.
Au lieu de passer par Palm Springs, tu peux retourner a la sortie sud de Joshua Tree NP et passer par le Salton Sea (je ne connais pas cette route) pour aller a SD. Mais je conseille que tu visites la partie nord du parc parce que c'est la partie qui a les plantes "Joshua trees".
Les routes 89, 71, et 60 en Arizona sont bonnes et sans trafic. Le paysage desertique est joli.
En montrant le trajet à mon ami, il a remarquer qu'on passai pas très loin de phoenix, en grand fan de NBA il veux qu'on fasse un léger détour. Du coup on va faire grand canyon_phoenix_san Diego.
Mais si vous avez de bonne adresse ou des truc sympa à faire par là-bas, je suis preneur.
En ce qui concerne le trajet yosemithe_la vallée de la mort, on sera en voiture, j'avoue ne pas trop savoir quelle route prendre.
Bon, alors si je comprends bien............. ce voyage, c'est au plus 13 nuits sur place. Donc 12 jours complets moins bien entendu les jours d'arrivée et de départ, bien chronophages - allez, en gros 11 jours ... si les horaires de départ et d'arrivée sont coopératifs 🙂
En suivant les différents conseil sur les forums, nous allons prendre la route de Grand Canyon-Prescot-San Diego, mais voilà ma question est: Où s'arrêter pour dormir? quel ville a mis chemin entre grand canyon et San Diego?
Je crains que les conseils que vous avez trouvés ne soient pas vraiment des plus judicieux.
Démonstration:
- votre circuit, c'est au bas mot et sans détours 3500kms - en y ajoutant tours et détours volontaires ou non (visite de parcs par scenic drive par exemple) mettons 10% de + soit 3800km à la louche.
- comme vous passez 3 jours complets "en ville" (San Francisco - Las Vegas - Los Angeles) ou le kilométrage, mais le temps de roulage, sera peu important, il reste donc 8 jours complets pour disons, en gros, 3600kms... ça fait du 450kms/jour ça !- soit 5h/jour de trajet sans rigoler, juste avec les arrêts obligatoires et les besoins physiologiques de la monture et de ses cavaliers!
Aussi, je me permets juste de vous demander,
- quand allez vous visiter?
- aurez vous le temps de parler un peu avec les gens que vous rencontrerez?
- si vous aimez vous balader (ou randonner) et c'est quasi-indispensable pour un séjour dans l'Ouest, quand trouverez vous le temps?
C'est étrange, voyez-vous, vous serez au royaume du Fast-Food, mais curieusement un séjour ou circuit là -bas, se savoure , se déguste... attention! je n'ai pas dit de flemmarder! il s'agit bien sûr d'optimiser les trajets pour une simple question de rentabilité ( temps sur place - coût élevé).
Avant de prendre vos billets d'avion (pour 2017 rien ne presse) essayez juste de prendre un peu de recul, d'examiner vos priorités, vos souhaits, vos attentes. Votre circuit initial "mérite" au minimum une semaine supplémentaire pour être simplement vivable. En aucun cas, ne calquez votre trip sur les auto-tours des agences de voyages ( distances énormes - pas de temps de visite - nuits dans des endroits perdus).
A lire (entre autres)
-le blog de l'ami Thibaud:
west-usa-dream.blogspot.fr/
Pour le moment j'ai juste regarder les villes où les sites où nous voulons aller, jai estimer le nombres de nuits, mais rien n'était définitif, je vous remercie d'avoir fait les calcule à ma place 😉
Merci beaucoup à tous pour vos renseignement , je ne pensai pas avoir de réponse aussi rapidement c'est top.
Bonjour Caribou,
Je m'efforce de donner les memes conseils aux futures visiteurs:
De ne pas faire trop de route sinon ils passent leur temps a conduire en allant d'un endroit a un autre.
Mais je ne peux donner un avis qu'en tant qu'une personne qui vit et habite aux USA.
J'ai souvent ete critique par une certaine personne sur ce site pour avoir donner des avis de prudence.
Cordialement
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Moi ça me va, je vient justement poser des questions pour avoir vos avis. Et c'est encore mieux lorsque les avis viennent de personnes habitant sur place.
Ou est ce que vous me conseiller de passer plus de temps. Peu être 3 jours à yosemithe?
Le souci qui va ce poser c'est notre budget. Est ce que ça peu être intéressant d'acheter une tente sur place et de trouver er des camping? Notre but est plus de voir des beau paysage de rencontrer du monde, que de passer des nuit dans des hôtel haut de gamme.
Bonjour Aurore,
3 jours a Yosemite en Avril.
A moins d'un miracle toute les parties hautes du Park ne seront pas accessibles.
Vos visites devront se faire dans la partie basse de la Valley, le ou il y a Yosemite Village.
Donc y passer 3 jours serait beaucoup trop.
Pour le "Camping" je suis mal place pour vous donner a bon avis car je ne campe pas.
Dans Yosemite Park il existe des endroits ou il est possible de camper. Il y a aussi un endroit ou vous pouvez loger d'une facon un peu rudimentaire, qui coute bien moins qu'un motel.
Vous trouverez toutes ces infos sur "Yosemite National Park"
Si la nature vous interesse, allez a Joshua Tree et les cacti devraient etre en fleurs, c'est un tres beau spectacle que personnellement j'aime beaucoup.
Si votre passage a San Francisco se fait apres le 15 Avril nous serons heureux de vous faire visiter notre ville.
Cordialement
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
aller voir les cactus en fleur me donne envie du coup.
Pour le moment nous ne savons pas exactement nos dates, tout dépendra des match de NBA, car mon ami veux aller aussi supporter les Warriers, supporter de longue dates ( Mullin, Hardawai, Gatling, Richmond ) mais votre proposition nous plairais bien, merci
3 jours à Yosemite? pourquoi pas... ce n 'est pas franchement ce qu'il y a de plus dépaysant ...
C'est disproportionné par rapport à toutes les merveilles dont regorge le Sud Ouest.
Camper? Je vous explique ...
- le Grand Canyon est à 2000m - Iriez vous passer une nuit sous la tente aux 2 Alpes (altitude identique) à la même période ? donc, le camping, c'est plié ... à moins que vous soyez amateurs de couvertures de survie, de polaires et de pyjama en pilou-pilou 🙂
Parlons budget, c'est toujours le sujet qui peut fâcher...
A cause de l'inflation des prix ( forte demande) qui s'est conjuguée à la baisse de l'€, un séjour aux USA revient cher désormais.
- nuit d'hôtel 80 - 150 € pour du 2* ou 2.5* WiFi - PDJ continental basique - méfiance en dessous de cette gamme... ( confort, quartier, bestioles, sécurité...)
- la location de voiture pâtit également de cette mauvaise conjoncture pour nous, Européens, et, apparemment, ça ne va pas s'arranger.
- le coût de la vie quotidienne est équivalent au nôtre, hormis le frais et le bio, assez chers.
- les restos: si c'est uniquement pour faire le plein, on s'en sort très bien - sinon ça va de coûteux à ruineux.
- les billets d'avion? n'importe quoi! il faut être pratiquement connecté en permanence (alertes de comparateurs ou newsletters des compagnies aériennes) - ne JAMAIS hésiter si le prix vous semble correct, en espérant une baisse hypothétique pour FAIRE UN COUP!
Un site mis à jour qui recense les bonnes affaires
http://www.lavionpourtous.fr/
Une très bonne nouvelle cependant concernant le prix de l'essence, elle n'a jamais été aussi bon marché
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
Le site vous donne le prix du gallon quasi en temps réel
A Minneapolis, le Coca au litre est plus cher que le Regular 😎
A titre INFORMATIF, l'an dernier, hors billet d'avion, hôtels comme décrits ci-dessus, SUV standard, pique-nique le midi, qqs restos le soir, souvenirs , outlets, cafés-terrasse, entrées de parcs et musées, c'est, pour nous 2, en moyenne, 250€/jour... c'est pas les Baléares, mais ce n'est pas le même voyage non plus.
En ce qui concerne la floraison des cactus....ne vous imaginez pas en voir partout et de toutes les couleurs
Plusieurs variables interviennent
- la famille de la cactée
- le lieu
- l'altitude
- la température et l'hygrométrie
- l'exposition
- la quantité de pluie tombée et surtout le type de précipitation ( un orage qui "lave" le sol n'apporte pas grand chose)
- et, naturellement la période...
J’ai besoin d’aide pour organiser mon voyage en Californie!! J’arrive à las Vegas le 11 septembre et je repars de Los Angeles le 25 septembre J’aimerais faire…
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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?
