Bonjour, j aimerais avoir des avis, des conseils par les personnes qui ont fait un ou des circuits de l ouest americain.
Nous partons a 4 ( 2 couples de 30-40 ans) au mois de juin prochain.
J ai fait le programme et je le partage pour voir si des choses doivent etre modifier ou pas. Certains diront que l on passe bcp de temps a Vegas mais nous sommes des joueurs de poker donc nous voulons y etre un peu pour jouer
Merci d avance a ceux qui repondrons en esperant que ca peut aussi aider d autres personnes.
Jour 1:Arrivee Las Vegas
Jour 2:Las Vegas
Jour 3: Depart vers Grand Canyon vers 6h du matin Passage sur la route 66.Arrivee Grand Canyon vers 12H
Differents points de vue: Trailview overlook - Maricoba point- Mohave point- Pima point- Hermits rest
Jour 4:6 h : Randonnees d'une journee: Descente par South Kaibab voir colorado et remontee par Bright Angel Trail jusqu a Indian Gardens puis fin de monteee
Si reste du temps ballade sur Rim trail pour regarder coucher de soleil.
Jour 5:Départ pour Monument Valley vers 8h Arrivee Monument Valley 12 h
Faire La Valley Drive en voiture Ballade a cheval d 1 h dans Monument Valley
Wildcat Trail: randonnee de 5 km
Voir le coucher du soleil
Nuit a Mexican Hat
Jour 6:Depart pour Page Antelope canyon et baignade dans lac Powell
Nuit a Page
Jour 7:Depart pour Bryce Canyon vers 8 h Arrivee 11h
Faire la scenic drive Garer la voiture pour randonnee combinee:
queen's garden trail peekaboo loop trail navajo loop
coucher de soleil a Sunset Point
Jour 8: Depart pour Zion Arrivee 11H
randonnee Canyon overlook Trail
Randonnee Emerald Pools Train +Randonnee Narrows du temps restant.
Route Las vegas le soir
Jour 9 :Las Vegas
Jour 10:Depart pour Death Valley Arrivee 12 h
Visite des differents point de vue:
Zabriskie point-Dante's view-Artist's drive-Badwater
Eureka dunes Scotty's castle.
Nuit au Stovepipe Wells Village
Jour 11:Retour Las Vegas
Jour 12: Las Vegas
Jour 13:Retour France
Ton J4 est impossible. Il est fortement déconseillé de faire la descente et la remontée du Grand Canyon jusqu'au Colorado en une journée. Il faut faire ça sur 2 jours et coucher en bas.
Bonsoir,
Confirmation pour Grand Canyon.
J'ai l'habitude de toutes randos. Meme les excellents ne font pas l'AR Colorado dans la journee. C'est strictement impossible.
Je rejoins les autres sur le J4, à faire sur 2 jours !
D'un point de vue totalement subjectif : Page et lac Powell ne valent pas le détour ...
Concernant la Death Valley, certains sites sont à voir au coucher du soleil et d'autres au lever ! N'hésitez pas à vous lever avant l'aube pour rejoindre Zabriskie point.
Bonjour,
Pas du tout d'accord pour le lac Powell.
C'est certainement l'un des endroits les plusmaginfiques a decouvrir............. a condition :
- de disposer d'au moins 4 ou 5 jours,
- de louer un bateau (house boat + jet ou power boat evec couchage + canoe)
- et d'explorer (a pied) les merveilles que sont WEST CANYON, LABYRINTH, CATHEDRAL et tous les canyons de l'Escalante River).
Et la, on est sur d'etre seul au monde au milieu de l'immensite.
Cordialement
Jean-Jacques
Pour la journee 4 j avais prevu ca car sur plusieurs forums certains disent l avoir fait avec une descente de 3H jusqu au colorado par Kaibab et une remonter de 2h30 par bright angel jusqu a indian garden puis 2h 30 apres . Donc a ce que vous dites ce n est pas ces temps de marche???
Concernant Page je voulais couper la route en 2 entre Monument Valley et Bryce . J hesitais par Page avec Antelope canyon qui apparrement est magnifique ou passer par Capitol reef avec une nuit a Torrey.
La descente jusqu'au Colorado par le South Kaibab Trail et la remonté par le Bright Angel fait environ 27 km, avec plus de 1400m de dénivelé. Ca doit être jouable en 8h, mais en plein été je m'y amuserais pas.
J'avais l'intention de faire un peu la même chose, mais en plus facile, l'été passé, en coupant par le Tonto trail ce qui réduisait le dénivelé de 400m et la rando de 4 ou 5 km. Mais le climat et les indications sur places m'ont persuadé de changer mes plans.
D'un point de vue totalement subjectif : Page et lac Powell ne valent pas le détour ...
Aie ! Heureusement que vous avez précisé que c'est "subjectif" 😕😕😕 Je trouve, au contraire, que Lake Powell est magnifique, pour peu qu'on y fasse par exemple, une ballade en bateau (à certains endroits le bateau s'engouffre dans le canyon....impressionnant!)
Et sinon, à Page....il y a Horseshoe Bend qui est un véritable joyau de la nature : un endroit sublime !
Et on oublie pas Antelope Canyon 😉
Et si on ajoute à ça tous les coins comme les Vermillion Cliffs (CBN, CBS, Buckskin Gulch...) ou la partie sud du Grand Staircase NM accessibles depuis la région de Page, difficile de dire que ça vaut pas le détour.
Et si on ajoute à ça tous les coins comme les Vermillion Cliffs (CBN, CBS, Buckskin Gulch...) ou la partie sud du Grand Staircase NM accessibles depuis la région de Page, difficile de dire que ça vaut pas le détour.
Tout à fait 😎....moi je citais les "incontournables" à mon sens 😛 (et accessibles à tous)
Les sites que tu évoques (notamment CBS, CBN) sont plutôt destinés aux randonneurs...
En tout cas, en ce qui me concerne, si l'occasion d'un prochain trip dans l'Ouest se présente, Page sera largement au programme 😎😎😎
Etant donnée que l'auteur de ce topic envisage de faire au Grand canyon l'aller-retour jusqu'au Colorado dans la journée et qu'il mentionne l’enchaînement Queen's garden-Peekaboo-Navajo à Bryce ou encore le Wild Cat trail à Monument valley, j'ai justement pensé qu'il était plutôt randonneur ! 😉
En effet nous sommes des randonneurs mais c est vrai que les randonnées me paraissait difficile c est pour ca que je voulais vos avis . Concernant page ce serait qu une journée donc selon vous il faut faire antelope canyon ainsi que Horseshoe bend ??
Vu votre planning, effectivement, le mieux est de s'en tenir à Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend et un petite baignade au Lac Powell, du côté de Page.
Pour votre journée à Bryce, vous devriez avoir le temps de faire tout ça, mais Queen's garden-peekaboo-Navajo en plein après-midi, il est possible que vous ayez un peu chaud.
Au grand canyon, à votre place je descendrai seulement jusqu'aux alentours de Cedar Ridge sur le South Kaibab trail (ou peut-être jusqu'à Indian Garden sur le Bright angel trail, mais je connais pas cette partie là...). Par contre, ça vous laisse du coup pas mal de temps libre à Grand Canyon village pour le reste de la journée.
Bonsoir,
Si je n'avais qu'une seule journee a PAGE ce serait un bateau (individuel) sur le lac POWELL pour explorer par le lac les canyons les plus proche de la marina : WEST CANYON en priorite, CATHEDRAL ou LABIRINTH.
- ANTELOPE CANYON OK, mais on se croierait dans le metro aux heures de pointe et ce n'est pas tres rando. Il vaudrait mieux faire SECRET et STAIRCASE CANYON.
- HORSESHOE BEND est certes un superbe point de vue, mais ce n'est qu'un point de vue et il y a bien assez de monde.
Mais PAGE et ses environs meritent bien plus qu'une journee, cela a deja ete dit.
Jean-Jacques
- ANTELOPE CANYON OK, mais on se croierait dans le metro aux heures de pointe
- HORSESHOE BEND est certes un superbe point de vue, mais ce n'est qu'un point de vue et il y a bien assez de monde
Pour Antelope, tout à fait d'accord avec l'image 😏....ce qui est un peu dommage et "gâche" à mon sens, la magie du lieu 😕
Concernant Horseshoe, nous y avons été tôt le matin, il n'y avait pas tant de monde que ça ....en tout cas, un vrai coup de foudre pour moi 😎😊😛
- ANTELOPE CANYON OK, mais on se croierait dans le metro aux heures de pointe
- HORSESHOE BEND est certes un superbe point de vue, mais ce n'est qu'un point de vue et il y a bien assez de monde
Oui... à nuancer un petit peu tout de même.
Pour Antelope Canyon, préférer le Lower à L'Upper. Le Lower est moins touristique.
A prendre également en considération la période. Beaucoup de monde en Juillet et Août, oui sans doute.
En Juin et Septembre les fréquentations ne sont pas aussi importantes. J'ai fait le Lower début Septembre 2009, on était 12 dans le canyon (et 4 à Horseshoe Bend).
D'un point de vue totalement subjectif : Page et lac Powell ne valent pas le détour ...
Totalement subjectif, en effet. 😉
@ cedheng : fais-toi ton propre avis en lisant des carnets de voyages, en regardant des photos...🙂
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
Bonsoir
Pour Juillet et Aout, je ne sais pas.
Je passe tous les ans tout le mois de Juin dans l'Ouest, parfois le mois de Septembre (moins souvent trop d'orages encore, ce qui est genant pour le canyonning et les pistes) ou encore Octobre.
En Juin, c'etait noir de monde dans ANTELOPE. Mauvais jour peut etre ou plus vraisemblablement, ce n'est pas le lieu qui me pqssionne le +
Jean-Jacques
Merci a tous pour vos points de vue c est tres gentil de prendre du temps pour repondre.
Le seul point d interrogation par rapport a vos conseils est par rapport aux randonnees.
Je pense avoir ete ambitieux par rapport a celle du Grand canyon et Bryce canyon. Je me tate encore mais vu le peu de temps passe sur place j aurai aime en faire un maximum en un minimum de temps .
Tjrs le meme souci!!!!lol
Ca vous parait si infaisable que ca vers le 15 juin??? Meme en partant au lever du soleil??
Moi aussi je trouve sympa de faire un break au Lake Powell et à Page, deux endroits que j'aime beaucoup !
A Page, il y a un fameux resto country avec des groupes qui jouent "live", le Ken's Old West. Et pas loin, l'une des merveilles du grand Ouest américain, Horseshoe Bend !
Le paysage autour du Lake Powell est tout simplement magnifique et inoubliable. Le bleu du lac et la couleur désert qui l'entoure forment un contraste somptueux.
Il y a aussi le Glen Canyon Dam, barrage imposant qu'il est possible de visiter.
Pour ce qui est de la descente jusqu'au Colorado et la remontée au camping d'Indian's Garden, c'est possible en une journée et en été (je l'ai fait en juillet). La boucle totale me semble plus difficile, même pour des bons marcheurs, mais en repartant tôt le lendemain matin, vous serez en haut en milieu de matinée. Il faut surtout penser à prendre beaucoup d'eau.
Pour info, j'avais quand même pris un jour "off" à flaner après l'AR jusqu'au Colorado.
Pour le Grand Canyon, moi perso je ne m'y risquerais pas... Déjà le dénivellé est énorme donc faut être un bon marcheur, c'est peut-être votre cas. Par contre il y a le problème de la chaleur et du soleil. Je crois que c'est totalement déconseillé de faire l'A/R en 1j.
Pour la petite histoire mon colloc avait voulu le faire, son pote a fini dans un sal état avec une insolation qui l'a clouer au lit plusieurs jours... super pour les vacances...
Vous trouverez toujours des personnes pour vous dire que c'est tout à fait possible en plein été (voir ci-dessus) et d'autres pour vous dire que c'est carrément mettre sa vie en danger (voir moi)... A mon avis il vaut mieux demander conseil à des personnes avisées quand vous serez sur place (Rangers)...
POurquoi ne pas prévoir la descente après 16h; dormir en bas et remonter au lever du soleil? Ca peut être chouette...
Sinon pour avoir un appercu rapide de Bryce, je vous conseille le Fairyland loop que j'ai adoré.
Pour Zion, Les Narrows c'est bien mais y a du monde. Pour le bright Angel, il faut partir très tôt car après le soleil tape et la montée est du coup bcp moins agréable!!
J'aimerai un/des avis (pas sur la distance ni la rapidité du circuit, mais essentiellement si les villes sont interessantes)sur notre circuit dans l'ouest,…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 13 replies
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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?
