nous commençons à organiser nos 3 semaines fin Aout début septembre. Nous avons beaucoup regardé les trajets effectués par les internautes et nous avons réalisé une simulation des choses à voir avec le trajet (en rouge).
Nous avons fais une sorte de mix de tous les trajets que l'on a vu... (arrivé LA, départ SF)
Une seule question : est-ce réalisable en 3 semaines ???
(ensuite on affinera le trajet jour après jour. Mais pour l'instant on se demande si on peut aller aussi loin et faire tout ce qu'on aimerait, ou si l'on doit zapper quelques trucs ... 🤪 )
Si vous avez des suggestions, des conseils nous sommes à l'écoute !!!
le trajet de Bodie à Death valley ne passe pas par sequoia parc mais par Lone Pine .Faisable en 3 semaine tout dépend du temps que vous voulez passer par étape.
Valley of fire étape oui mais pour dormir?
étape death valley/ Bryce ou Zion sans passer par Las Vegas ?
indiquez des étapes plus précises.
Merci,
on ne s'est pas encore penché sur les trajets détaillés comme nous l'avons dis, mais plutôt sur l'étendue géographique qu'il nous est possible de couvrir en 21 jours. Le trajet approximatif est une indication.
Nous allons checker votre carnet de voyage qui semble bien complet ...
Circuit largement réalisable si vous ne souhaitez pas consacrer trop de temps aux villes (mais tout dépend alors de vos envies et de vos affinités avec les grands espaces ).
C'est un vaste débat régulièrement abordé dans les forums et il n'y a pas de réponse standard.
N'étant pas trop branché ville, je trouve votre parcours largement réalisable: il ne vous reste plus qu'à mettre des noms d'étapes, des durées de séjour, des trajets, les sites à visiter que vous voulez faire..... et vous aurez alors un vrai aperçu de ce qu'il est possible de faire.
Les experts du forum seront alors mieux que moi vous conseiller .
Ma contribution se retrouve dans mon blog qui peut , je l'espère, vous apporter quelques réponses à vos questions.
Bonne préparation.
Cordialement,
thierrymnanu
Bonjour.
Selon moi, votre itineraire est parfaitement réalisable en 3 semaines.
Pour la simul des itineraires, je regarde aussi par MICHELIN en plus de Google, ca donne une autre version des itineraires, et des temps de trajet.
Un petit detail, vs semblez aller à l'aller de LV au GC coté nord, en passant par VALLEY of fire.
Vs avez choisi de voir le GC rive nord plutot que sud, comme tout le monde ?
car comme votre votre trajet ZION DV passe "obligatoirement" par Las Vegas, vs pouvez faire Valley of fire au retour.
Bonjour,
Globaleùent , tout cela est faisable sans trop trainer, à quelques erreurs pres, genre Sequoia (pas de route entre Death Valley, sequoia et Yosemite)
Valley of fire apres Zion et non avant GC.
A developper maintenant.
Il n'y a que deux façons de vivre sa vie : l'une en faisant comme si rien n'était un miracle, l'autre comme si tout était un miracle.
Bonjour,
Globaleùent , tout cela est faisable sans trop trainer, à quelques erreurs pres, genre Sequoia (pas de route entre Death Valley, sequoia et Yosemite)
C'est vrai qu'il est difficile de faire a la fois SEQUOIA ntl Forest, donc la route OUEST, et BODIE MONO LAKE, sauf a refaire la Tioga pass dans l'autre sens.
C'est pour cela que pour aller de DV à YOSEMITE, la grande majorité fait la route EST, passant par LONE PINE, LEE VINING, puis la TIOGA PASS.
Pour les sequoias, il y a de tres beaux à Mariposa Groves, à la sortie sud de YOSEMITE, donc ca peut remplacer....
Wouah !
Merci à tous pour vos réponses ! Voilà des indications bien précieuses. Nous sommes ravis de savoir que c'est réalisable !!!
@ITAT Merci pour ses détails, on va pouvoir faire un timing !
@katze Comme toi, nous sommes + branché paysages, mais nous LA et surtt SF sont incontournables, nous allons y rester respectivement 2 et 3 jours. (on jettera un oeil sur ton blog pour préciser notre trajet) (ton avatar c'est l'Islande ??)
jpg13 euh... pour le GC on a pas encore regarder quelle côté faire, on va se pencher sur la question !!!
@frisoulette&jpg13 Merci de mettre le doigts sur des erreurs pareil ! Nous avons commandé la carte routière Hallwag n°5 qui d'après les internautes est très pratique et complète ! Dès que nous la recevons, nous allons pouvoir tracer notre itinéraire plus précisément !
On vous tiens au courant dès qu'on aura pris le temps de refaire tout ça + sérieusement,
salut
Tout à fait réalisable comme beaucoup te l'ont dit. Si cela peut t'aider, je t'invite à aller jeter un oeil sur mon carnet de voyage de l'année dernière. J'ai emmené de la famille et des amis réaliser une boucle très semblable à la tienne (hormis le dernier tiers car nous avons pris l'avion de Vegas à SF, mais nous n'avions que 17 jours). Tu y trouveras peut-être des idées pour ton circuit. En tout cas, cela devrait pourvoir te donner pas mal de précisions sur le timing à adopter.
- Ouest américain 2009: une boucle (presque) classique (3ème partie) (23 janvier 2010)
- Ouest américain 2009: une boucle (presque) classique (2ème partie) (10 janvier 2010)
- Ouest américain 2009: une boucle (presque) classique (1ère partie) (9 janvier 2010)
Enjoy !
Patrice
"Faut pas trop tenter le diable, cet enfoiré ne reste jamais très longtemps sans réagir..." Johnny Dakota (le vrai)
😮 nous avons aperçu ton carnet de voyage, mais pour être francs on évite au maximum de regarder trop de photos des Etats-Unis pour être un peu surpris, même si les paysages sont sûrement toujours étonnants ! Surtout que tu as bien mitraillé et que ton carnet doit en faire voyager + d'un !
Joli tracet, mais comme je suis cassepied, je vais pointer "the point" qui va pas😠.
Entre Bryce Canyon et Capitol Reef , tu as 2 possibilités de route qui,
en theorie, mette à peu pres le meme temps, et PAN! ! t'as pas pris la bonne....😄
LA 12 reliant ces 2 points est connu pour etre une tres tres belle route (scenic drive) .
Je suis moins entouhiasme que certains, mais je dois avouer que 3 ou 4 fois, je suis resté
scotché par la beauté du paysage derriere un virage, ou apres une butte....etc.
Donc quitte à relier ces 2 points, fais le par cette route, histoire d'en prendre plein la vue.
A part cela , tres chouette parcours, reste à determiner combien de temps un peu partout.
Bon courage.
Il n'y a que deux façons de vivre sa vie : l'une en faisant comme si rien n'était un miracle, l'autre comme si tout était un miracle.
Si vos lettres correspondent à des etapes :
1° Vs n'avez pas besoin de passer à FLAGSTAFF. De WILLIAMS, vs remontez directement sur le GC
2° Pour aller de LV à la DV, je pense qu'il vaut mieux passer par PAHRUMP
3° DE YOSEMITE à SFO, je sortirais du parc par l'entrée SUD OAKHURST, ensuite rejoindre FO par MERCED;
Et même soyons fou, si vs avez une journée de rab, rejoindre SFO en passant par MONTEREY et CARMEL....
1° Vs n'avez pas besoin de passer à FLAGSTAFF. De WILLIAMS, vs remontez directement sur le GC
2° Pour aller de LV à la DV, je pense qu'il vaut mieux passer par PAHRUMP
3° DE YOSEMITE à SFO, je sortirais du parc par l'entrée SUD OAKHURST, ensuite rejoindre FO par MERCED;
c'est clair ! Le genre de truc qu'on ne voit pas si on y est jamais allé ! thanks ! En plus on gagne du temps pour
Et même soyons fou, si vs avez une journée de rab, rejoindre SFO en passant par MONTEREY et CARMEL....
Voici notre programme.
En regardant ça je me dit que ça fait pas très flexible, et on aurait bien préférer faire un peu au feeling, mais bon, en si peu de temps faire autant de chose...🤪
Donc hormis qques camping où l'on ne pouvait pas réserver, on a bien planifié le voyage 🙂
Je ne sais plus si vs ns avez dit pourquoi de Lone Pine, vous voulez redescendre au sud et voir Sequoia Ntl Forest, pour remonter sur Yosemite par fresno. Ca fait un detour.
Si vs regardez votre carte, vous verrez que de lone Pine, vs est pas loin de YOSEMITE par la route EST : Bishop -> Mammoth Lake -> Lee vining.
Cette route outre le fait qu'elle est plus courte vs permet de voir BODIE, et de faire la TIOGA PASS pour arriver à Yosemite.
Si vs voulez voir des Sequoias géants, il y a Mariposa Groves, à la sortie sud du parc vers Oakhurst.
Et bien on voulait aller à Sequoia National Forest....
Tu penses que cela ne vaut pas le coup ? Est-ce qu'on doit préférer passer par le nord et aller direct à Yosemite et Mariposa Groves ?
La quasi totalité des touristes (comme moi)font l'itineraire EST entre LV et YOSEMITE car c'est plus court et parait il plus joli, surtout c'est plus logique car ca permet de voir BODIE Mono LAKE et faire la TIOGA PASS.
Ceci dit, il y a des forumeurs qui ont adoré SEQUOIA Ntl Forest. C'est quand meme netemment moins frequenté que YOSEMITE.
Il y a plein de sequoias à Mariposa groves , mais il faut y aller le matin tot ou le soir, car autrement il y a pas mal de monde.
Ok, merci du conseil en tout cas, ça permet de voir d'autres alternatives.
Surtout qu'apparemment Sequoia serait en train de prendre feu à l'heure actuelle 🤪...
Comme je disais déjà plus haut une seule nuit à Moab me parait carrément trop court... 🤪 Vous ne verrez rien pu presque de cette fabuleuse région où j'ai passé 6 nuits début juillet 2010.
Pourquoi Flagstaff pour aller au Grand Canyon? Comme dit par quelqu'un d'autre, Williams était mieux et sans détour...
Malheureusement, nous avons bcp de lieux au programme, et rester 3 nuits à Moab est impossible...
Difficile de choisir 🤪
Pour ce qui est de Flagstaff, il n'y avait plus de place au camping du grand canyon, donc nous voulions profiter de voir une petite ville dans le environs.
Nous n'avons simplement pas penser à aller à Williams.
Malheureusement, nous avons bcp de lieux au programme, et rester 3 nuits à Moab est impossible...
Difficile de choisir 🤪
Pour ce qui est de Flagstaff, il n'y avait plus de place au camping du grand canyon, donc nous voulions profiter de voir une petite ville dans le environs.
Nous n'avons simplement pas penser à aller à Williams.
Pour Flagstaff, ce n'est pas tres grave, et la ville est certainement plus vivante le soir que Williams. bon vs verrez pas le lever et le coucher du soleil sur le GC, mais une bonne Bud ou autre biere le soir dans Flagstaff c'est pas mal non plus.
Alors je pense que vous auriez du vous épargner le détour, ça aurait laissé plus de places pour les autres lieux où vous passez
Moab c'est quand même 2 parcs nationaux: Arches (une journée entière minimum) et Canyonlands divisé en 3 parties mais la partie la plus visitée et accessible est Island In The Sky située à une cinquantaine de kms de Moab. Autant dire ne pensez pas faire le même jour ces 2 parcs.
Il y a également un State Park immanquable: Dead Horse Point.
Et plein d'autres sites... mais je n'ai cité ques les plus courus
Effectivement cela fait un détour, mais cela ne change rien, en fait.
Nous comptions partir de LA le matin et faire la route pour dormir au GC. Au lieu de cela nous dormirons à Flagstaff (la vision de la petit Budd m'enchante déjà!) et partirons trèèès tôt pour le GC !
Et effectivement, nous verrons le soir le coucher de soleil et le lever le lendemain (2 nuits au Mather CG)!
Merci pour le noms des sites, nous allons pouvoir choisir celui que nous visiterons ! Et nous serons certainement obligés de revenir un jour pour faire ce que nous n'aurons pas eu le tps de voir !!! (trop dur...!)
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).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello 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!
