avec ma femme je part en septembre faire un circuit, avec les pros du forum si j'ai fait des erreurs merci de me le dire, les specialistes, je pense un peu a vilcanota, aurons bien vus les coins que nous comptons voir avec les etapes ci-dessous
jour 1 arrive sf, nuit a tracy 6 californie
j 2 mariposa cal.
j 3 mammoth lakes nevada
j 4 boulder city arizona
j 5, 6 williams j 7&8 kanab utah
j 9&10 bluff ut.
j 11 torrey ut.
j 12 ely nevada
j 13 lac tahoe cal.
j 14 yreka cal.
j 15 bend oregon
j 16&17 troutdale ore.
j 18 seaside ore.
j 19 spingfield ore.
j 20 redding cal.
j 21 sf belmond
j 22 paris
logement pour certain sites retenus par internet et le reste sur place au gre des etapes d'avance merci pour vos reponses😏😏
smokey
appliquez vous à garder en toutes choses le juste milieu
Je viens de lire ton circuit. Je ne connais pas trop l'Orégon, par contre Williams 2 jours, c'est peut-être un peu long. Grand Canyon est quand même beaucoup plus au nord, puis au sud il y a éventuellement "Talakapaké" (désolé pour l'orthographe). Torrey et Ely sont plantés au milieu de nulle part !!! Je ne vois que l'intérêt de ces 2 villes en liaisons.
je n'ai pas les cartes routieres en ce moment je suis qq jours absent de la maison en fait certaines villes comme ely son purement d'etape je voudrais revoir encore une fois la vallee de la mort, et je choisi surtout des etapes en fonction des sites a voir, et la sur ce circuit je veut voir le sud et nord du grand canyon et vu les distances il faut plusieurs nuits mon butget logement se base surtout sur les motels 6 et les motels super 8 que l'on peut retenir avec internet, la semaine prochaine je placerai les sites en face des villes etapes cela sera plus clair
salut toi smokey🏴☠️
appliquez vous à garder en toutes choses le juste milieu
euh.....je n'ai pas ete conviee mais moi je l'ai sous le nez ma carte...
alors... j'en profite pour revenir sur une partie de ton circuit qui le chiffonne un peu
lake tahoe- yreka = 307 mile (494).... de parcours monagneux...
Yreka-Bend =224 miles (359 kms)... toujours de parcours montagneux..
vous passerez a Crater Lake avant d'arriver a Bend.
Bend-Troutdale =150 miles (240kms)...pourquoi s'arreter dans cette ville plutot qu'a Portland??
Porland-seaside =95 miles (153 kms)
pourquoi remonter jusque la... si c'est pour la plage il y en a des cntaines de kilometres identiquement jolies en redescendant...😛en plus c'est froid et venteux en septembre😛; a moins evidemment que tu aies quelque chose de prevu dans ce coin...
Seaside-Springfield =181 miles (291 kms)
Eugene-Redding =315 miles(506 kms) (ah! enfin le Mt Shasta)
redding-Sfo =216 miles(347 kms)
Personnelement, je trouve que tu perds du temps a zigzaguer pour pas grand chose et que certaines belles regions sont conscensieument bien evitee 😉😛
Donc, je verrais plutot cette partie du circuit comme suit:
Lake Tahoe-Lassen volcanic National Park (ferme vers le 10 octobre)-Mt Shasta -OREGON-Crater lake-traversee vers la cote (en evitant soigneusement Portland sauf si vous avez un quelconque interet pour cette ville)-Californie(Crescent city)Redwood national Park-Highway 1 (a partir de fort bragg)-Santa rosa, Napa, Sonoma(le paradis des vignes californiennes)-Muir wood national monument-San Francisco
A mon tres humble avis, tu verras plus de choses de cette maniere; tu ne passeras qu'une seule fois en zone montagneuse, et tu auras plus de 'rendement au kilometre' ... et aussi cela laisse un peu plus de temps pour paresser le mong de la cote si l'envie t'en prend 😛
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
tout d'abord merci de ton message fabienne(un prenom qui me ramene 55ans en arriere du temps ou j'etait haut comme 3 pommes!!)
belmond c'est juste pour dormir en arrivant, sf est un peu cher je recherche plutot les motels, pour moi c'est une question de prix, comme indique je n'ai pas la carte sous la main mais troutdale c'est pour voir les chutes sur la colombia river
seaside ça c'est une idee de ma femme qui veut voir l'embouchure de la colombia(lewis y est pour qq chose)
ceci poser une fois rentrer a la maison dans qq jours je vais regarde la carte, et voir de pres avec ton message ce que je peut modifier
salut a toi smokey😏
appliquez vous à garder en toutes choses le juste milieu
pour SFO, essaye les travelodge, il y en plusieurs en ville..
mais Septembre c'est pleine periode partout... celui du presidio est top au niveau de l'environnement (travelodgepresidio.com ou le contraire [ )
Pourquoi 50 ans en arriere??🤪🏴☠️😛
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
je vais regarder une fois rentrer car l'ordinateur de ma fille c'est pas vraiment ça !!
pour le prenom "fabienne" c'est le nom du bateau sur lequel j'ai passer plusieurs annees mon pere etant marinier et bien sur ce genre de souvenirs restent dans la memoire
a + smokey😏
appliquez vous à garder en toutes choses le juste milieu
Je vais essayer de faire clair, ce qui n'est pas dans mes habitudes😕🏴☠️😛
d'abord premiere PETITE chose qui ne va pas bien... pourquoi vouloir e cantonner aux motels6... il y en a d'éutres et aussi bon marche.. travelodge, super 8, days inns etc etc
Tu ne peux pas faire un circuit en fonction des motels..
par exemple, cela te fait aller a Tracy le premier jour, et meme pas profiter un tant soit peu de San Francisco. essaye plutot le travelodge au presidio ouu & Fishermanswharf(pas les 2 autres) tu seras au coeur de l'action pour a peu pres 55/60$+taxe et en plus ils ont un parking gratuit.
et ceci et valable pour a peu pres tous les tes 'arrets motel6'
De plus ne te stresse pas trop, il n'y a pas franchement besoin de reserver a part a SFO et le grand canyon...
Pour Yosemite, tu ne devrais pas passer la tioga pass en allant, car ca va te fairerefaire 2 fois un trajet fastidieux.
pourquoi ne pas ressortir du parc par l'entree sud -ouest( ou la sortie😉) et aller faire un tour a Sequoia si l'idee t'en vient sur le moment😉😛
tu pourrais faire l'arret de l'etape transit qq part entre Bakersfield et Barstow;
2 jours sur la rive nord du Canyon, ca me parait un peu beaucoup...
le rester garden of the Gods et capitol reef et garden of the gods on en reparle plus tard... la je ne vois pas ou se situe exactement ce jardin des dieux.
je vois plutot un truc du genre Bryce, Las vegas Death valley (tu avais dit que tu voulais revoir l'endroit)
je laisse dans le vague les jours 5 a 9...
tu peux fare une etape a death valley ( au moins cher c'est panamint springs resort reservable sur le net) ou plus haut vers Mono lake (n'oublie pas de visiter la ville fantome de bodie)
Il y a un motel sympa a bridgesport reservable sur le net mais il faut que je recherche le site.
Pour ce qui vient a pres Lassen, mon avis ne va pas du tout te plaire, mais je trouve que ca fait beaucoup de kilometress pour Lewis et Clark et des vaches americaines
🤪😛😛
Bon, pour etre plus positif... Alegro et moi, nous te proposons de te faire un circuit personnalise mais dis nous quelles sont tes reelles envies, pour que nous ne fassions pas d'impasse..a moins que ce ne soit pas realisable... (comme garden of the gods dans le colorado, enfin c'est celui qu'Alegro a trouve....😉)
@+++++++😛😉🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
Smokey, comme Fabienne, je ne vois pas l'intéret de faire Grand Canyon Nord alors que tu vas faire déjà la rive sud et que lorsque tu seras en face, il y a Zion à voir et surtout Bryce Canyon, alors ne perd pas ton temps sur la North Rim😉
Je reviendrais plus tard car mamie me sonne pour la soupe 😉.
J'ai pense a une chose (ca m'arrive rarement).. si tu n'as pas deja pris ton billet, tu pourrais prendre pour rentabiliser ton circuit et rester dans une certaine logique un:Paris-Las Vegas (ou San francisco)- Seattle-Paris... cela t'eviterai des kilometres inutiles et tu verrais plus de choses..J'ai achete le meme pour Mai dans les 500 euros sur United😎😉🙂
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
Je veux juste te dire que le Motel 6 de Tracy n'est pas très super. Nous n'avions pas pu avoir une chambre non-fumeur et l'avions trouvé limite craignos. Sa fréquentation est plutôt "halte à camionneurs" avec de magnifiques trucks plein le parking. En revanche, pour manger, il y a ce qu'il faut à côté.
Il y en a un autre à Modesto.
A plus, Tatie
" Voyager est un triple plaisir : l'attente, l'éblouissement et le souvenir " Ilka Chase
Petit message pour FabienneCA, tu conseilles à San Francisco 2 travelodge (Presidio et Fishtruc) mais pas les autres, pourquoi ? J'ai réservé 3 nuits au travelodge de Market Street pour environ 70€ sans les taxes du 1 au 4 aout ce qui me parait être un très bon prix (taxes non incluses bien sur). Y'a un problème avec cet hotel ?
j'ai bien compris que 2 fois deux jours au grand canyon cela fait surement trop, bon je vais voir avec ma femme ou caser ces 2 jours qui sont surement de trop, sachant que le parc de bryce nous y sommes restees 2 jours l'annee derniere nous avons juste traverse zion, ce parc nous a semble difficile d'acces ou alors faut-il etre bon marcheur ce qui n'est pas vraiment notre cas, eh oui une vie d'appart dur a + de 60 piges de changer d'habitudes.
pour la vallee de la mort je suis toujour dans le coup !!etape entre mammoth & boulder
pour san francisco nous avons deja bien visitees cette ville au cours de 3 voyages anterieurs sans etre des pros nous connaissons un peu la ville.
j'ai eu l'occasion de faire une viree dans dans l'oregon et la cote pour descendre sur s f meme si temps n'est pas des meilleurs merite le detour.
je loue une voiture depuis la france comme l'annee derniere, et comme je suis seul a conduire je choisis une categorie au moins egal a ce que j'ai chez moi a savoir une berline avec le confort cat f 4 dors, pour l'aerien j'ai trouve un vol chez sncf .com a 1192.00 euros ttc pour 2 personnes(pas encore bloque) vol direct paris/san francisco sur united
en tout cas je te souhaite un bon circuir en mai tu doit etre impatiente!!!!
amicalement a toi smokey😏😏
appliquez vous à garder en toutes choses le juste milieu
Market Street, j'en garde de bons souvenirs tout comme Farmer Market pas trés loin de Hollywood Boulevard, et chose bizarre, on peut y faire son marché 😏😎 et bien manger car il y a de bons restos, enfin il y avait car c'était en 89!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😉
Ah les Full Size, quand on y goute on y retourne 😉 Je loue toujours ce type de véhicule car pour en profiter un max il faut arriver en forme et non pas déformé.De plus j'ai toujours un tas de b--l avec le matériel de rando dans le coffre, plus la glacière derrière, ben on aime prendre ses aises🙂
Pour Zion tu devrais faire un peu de marche dans les Narrows, même à plus de 60 piges tu vas y prendre du plaisir et c'est trés beau.Je prendrais mes photos pour la rencontre du 30 avril, il serait dommage que tu loupes la Virgin River 😎 sauf si tu n'aimes pas la flotte car il faut remonter le lit du torrent.Pour te décider, va voir ce site : http://www.zionnationalpark.com/parkinfo.html
Je deconseille travelodge by the bay et golden gate, car ils sont tres bruyants et limite pas clean (rue sans probleme cependant)... celui de downtown par rapport a sa situation geographique. Celui de Market n'est pas non plus dans un endroit ou j'aimerais habiter... c'est pour cela que j'ai signale celui du Presidio qui est calme, propre, et situe dans un endroit qui ne craint pas..
mais ce sont des remarques toutes personnelles chacun alant ou il veut evidemment.😉
Pour Smokey, je ne vois pas tres bien l'utilite de toutes ces questions, puisque ton circuit est deja pose...et que tu ne tiens pas compte des reponses qui t'ont ete donnees.....
🏴☠️
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
bien sur que mon circuit est pose du moins dans les grandes lignes, mais des corrections sont possibles sur les etapes au grand canyon par exemple j'ai bien compris que je perdais du temps a vouloir faire le nord et le sud donc je vais revoir plus en detail, si je n'avais pas mis de post sur le forum je ne l'aurais pas su
bonne journee fabienne😏😏 smokey
appliquez vous à garder en toutes choses le juste milieu
Nous envisageons un autotour de 22 ou 23 jours en septembre 2016 dans les parcs ouest usa avec comme seule ville las vegas et salt lake city (arrivée et…
Moi et mon ami souhaitons faire un circuit dans l'ouest en aout 2013, avec comme objectif de tout faire nous même (billets d'avions, itinéraire, location…
Tout d'abord, Merci à tous ceux qui m'aident à élaborer ce circuit!!!Bref rappel du contexte: Je prépare un circuit dans l'Ouest des USA + New-York (1 couple +…
Je cherche un circuit organisé avec voyage en car et nuit en hotel Les destinations que je ne veux surtout pas manquer: Los Angeles (Hollywood, Universal…
Je pars donc en couple pour Août ou Septembre 2011 je viens donc solliciter votre aide! J'ai acheté la carte il y a 2ans (Marco Polo USA WEST 1cm=20km) Et je…
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?
