Nous envisageons un circuit dans l'Ouest américain fin juin début juillet 2010, et bien sûr comme beaucoup d'autres voyageforumeurs, nous souhaitons avoir des avis, conseils, commentaires... sur le programme que nous nous sommes concocté.Je précise que c'est notre 2ème séjour dans l'Ouest, nous souhaitons compléter ce que nous n'avons pas pu voir lors de notre séjour en 2009, c'est pourquoi nous n'incluons pas la visite de Horseshoe Bend, Bryce et de Zion que nous connaissons déjà.C'est un circuit de 15 jours, nous sommes déjà à notre maximum (cause boulot hé oui!!), nous ne pouvons pas rajouter un seul jour de plus.Alors voilà, on y va:
J1 Dimanche 20 juin 2010:Arrivée à San Francisco, nuit à SFO
J2 :Visite de SFO
J3 :Visite de SFO
J4 :Vol de SFO vers Las Vegas, récupération de la voiture de location, route vers Grand Canyon via route 66 (Seligman-Kingman) nuit à Grand Canyon village
J5 :Grand Canyon, le Rim Trail puis autres randos si possible.Conseil??😉
J6 :Matinée à Grand Canyon, puis route vers Page par le Marble Canyon, éventuellement Lee's Ferry si intéressant??, nuit à Page
J7 :Visite de Antelope Canyon (Upper et Lower si possible), route vers Monument Valley, nuit à l'hôtel The View, probablement, c'est un must je crois?!
J8 :Route vers Moab, visite de Dead Horse Point, nuit à Moab
J9 :Visite d'Arches et Canyonlands, nuit à Moab
J10:Route de Moab vers Capitol Reef, nuit à Torrey
J11:Route de Torrey vers Las Vegas, visite de Valley of Fire, nuit à Las Vegas
J12:Visite de Las Vegas, nuit à Las Vegas
J13:Route vers Death Valley, nuit à Furnace Creek ou Stovepipe Wells, à voir
J14:Retour à Las Vegas, nuit à Las Vegas
J15:Vol Las Vegas-SFO puis SFO-Paris, déjà😕
Les journées qui nous semblent un peu difficiles à gérer niveau timing sont celles-ci:
Le J4 avec le vol depuis SFO en matinée, prise en charge de la voiture, puis route vers Grand Canyon, est-ce réalisable?
Le J9 avec la visite d'Arches et Canyonlands, peut-être un peu trop pour la même journée, même si nous partons et retournons à Moab le soir?Peut-être qu'il faudrait inverser l'un des deux parcs avec Dead Horse Point la veille??Qu'en pensez-vous?
Par avance merci à tous pour vos avis, conseils, ... nous avons déjà noté plein plein d'infos super intéressantes gràce à toutes les discussions de ce forum dynamique et très réactif😇😇
La route vers GC, tout depend de l'heure de ton vol from SF.
Si tu arrives vers midi, ce doit etre faisable, le mieus est de ne rien reservé, tailler la route, et vous arreter quand vous serez fatigués.
Arches et Canyon Land le meme jour, pas cool.
Canyon land est composé (grossierement ) de 2 parties. Les needles ( au sud), et Island in the sky au nord.
Les Needles sont à faire en venant de MV, bien avant d'arriver à Moab, et te prendront bien une demi journée ( on peut faire plus).
Island in the sky est composé de point de vue, splendide, mais qui demande moins de temps.
Arches est un parc qui te prend facilement la journée.
Il va forcement falloir faire des choix dans tout cela, l'autre solution est de faire MV le J6, PAge et Antelope le J7 en se levant de bonne heure, cela etant regarder le levee du soleil est aussi beau que le coucher sur MV. et route vers Moab le J7 au soir.
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.
Pourquoi aller deux fois a Las Vegas.. de SFO vous pourriez atterir a Phoenix, et échapper a cette journée un peu stressante...
Pourquoi retourner a SF??? vous pourriez repartir de Vegas ou bien de LA...surtout après être passé a death Valley... enfin, ça ne me parait pas du tout logique tous ces vols
ou si vous tenez au vol SFO-LAS, pourquoi ne pas repartir en France a partir de Phoenix, en ayant fait le trajet a l'envers
Bryce??? comme Itat... zappé😮🤪🤪😮😮
J9 😮😮😮😮 allez pourquoi ne pas ajouter un petit site...non je rigole.. mais c'est pas top de faire ces deux parcs dans la même journée..
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
Merci pour ta réponse!!🙂Le vol SFO-LAS nous l'avions prévu relativement tôt le matin afin de dégager le maximum de temps pour nous rendre à Grand Canyon.Maintenant, nous allons reconsidérer ce vol, car comme nous le fait remarquer FabienneCA, il serait sans doute plus logique d'atterrir à Phoenix...à étudier!!
Pour ce qui est des parcs autour de Moab, apparemment ce n'est pas une bonne idée de faire Canyonlands et Arches la même journée, c'est le moins que l'on puisse dire😄😄, on va essayer de trouver une solution en prenant du temps ailleurs, car nous tenons absolument à faire ces deux parcs.Bon, au travail, on reprend la carte, Google Maps et les guides!!
Bonsoir ITAT, merci pour ta réponse.Nous avons visité Bryce en 2009, c'est pourquoi nous ne nous y arrêtons pas sur ce projet, bien qu' à ce jour c'est le parc que j'ai préféré, nous y retournerons lors d'un autre séjour, par contre, nous voulions faire l'UT12 à partir de Torrey.Selon toi, il serait judicieux d'ajouter une nuit sur le trajet vers Las Vegas??A Tropic peut-être??ou carrément plus loin??(je ne propose pas le Ruby's inn et consorts à l'entrée de Bryce, car je ne veux pas encourager le commerce forcé, déjà essayé en 2009😕)As-tu une idée?🙂
J1 Dimanche 20 juin 2010:Arrivée à San Francisco, nuit à SFO
J2 :Visite de SFO
J3 :Visite de SFO
J4 :Vol de SFO vers Las Vegas, récupération de la voiture de location, route vers Grand Canyon via route 66 (Seligman-Kingman) nuit à Grand Canyon village Longue et durée journée, quand même !
J5 :Grand Canyon, le Rim Trail puis autres randos si possible.Conseil??😉
J6 :Matinée à Grand Canyon, puis route vers Page par le Marble Canyon, éventuellement Lee's Ferry si intéressant?? Décidement, c'est la mode !😉, nuit à Page
J7 :Visite de Antelope Canyon (Upper et Lower si possible), route vers Monument Valley, nuit à l'hôtel The View, probablement, c'est un must je crois?! Oui ! 🙂
J8 :Route vers Moab, visite de Dead Horse Point, nuit à Moab . Si vous partez en début de matinée de Monument Valley, vous pourriez être à Moab en début d'après-midi et combiner Canyonlands + Dead Horse Point et garder uniquement Arches pour le lendemain car, comme déjà dit par mes précédesseurs, impossible de faire Canyonlands et Arches en un jour
J9 :Visite d'Arches et Canyonlands, nuit à Moab
J10:Route de Moab vers Capitol Reef, nuit à Torrey
J11:Route de Torrey vers Las Vegas, visite de Valley of Fire, nuit à Las Vegas Très long trajet, pas sûre que vous appréciiez Valley of Fire après toute cette route...
J12:Visite de Las Vegas, nuit à Las Vegas
J13:Route vers Death Valley, nuit à Furnace Creek ou Stovepipe Wells, à voir
J14:Retour à Las Vegas, nuit à Las Vegas
J15:Vol Las Vegas-SFO puis SFO-Paris, déjà😕
Circuit dans l'Ouest : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2744058
Floride-Louisiane : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3536861
Une semaine à New York : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4550454
New York, again http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5593646
Bonsoir FabienneCA et merci.Nous allons étudier le vol SFO-Phoenix, qui effectivement paraît plus logique.Nous ne tenons pas forcément au vol SFO-LAS, cela nous permettait simplement d'emprunter la route 66 entre Kingman et Seligman sur la route de Grand Canyon.Maintenant, si j'en crois tout ce qu'on en dit, ce petit bout de route n'en vaut peut-être pas la peine, donc à voir...Pour ce qui est du vol retour, sais-tu s'il y a un Phoenix-Paris sans escale et avec quelle compagnie?Le problème c'est la contrainte de temps, nous ne pouvons pas nous permettre d'en perdre trop à attendre des correspondances voire à changer d'aéroport (à Londres par exemple), car je ne l'ai pas dit, mais il y a encore un petit Paris-Brest à effectuer au retour😄😄 et donc en prenant AF depuis SFO ça simplifie les choses pour les bagages et tout et tout...
Pour le J9, nous allons revoir tout ça, on va étudier ça ce week-end puis notre projet retouché fera l'objet d'un nouveau post.Merci encore pour tes remarques avisées et merci à tous pour la réactivité😇
mais il y a encore un petit Paris-Brest à effectuer au retour
je connais 😉.
Si tu tiens à ton vol retour, pourquoi ne pas arriver plutôt à Phoenix directement et faire SFo à la fin ? Phoenix Grand Canyon : compter 4h30 de route.
Tu ne devrais pas avoir de frais de drop-off (à vérifier avec ton courtier).
J5 :Grand Canyon, le Rim Trail puis autres randos si possible.Conseil?
Regarde mon carnet, tu devrais trouver assez d'infos. 😄
J9 :Visite d'Arches et Canyonlands, nuit à Moab
comme les autres, impossible ou alors à la japonaise. J'ai passé la journée à Arches (28 km de rando) et je suis loin d'avoir tout vu. 😉
J11:Route de Torrey vers Las Vegas, visite de Valley of Fire, nuit à Las Vegas
Ouf, quelle journée ! Rien que la route, c'est long, et il faudra vous arrêter pour quelques photos.
Bonjour Virginath et merci pour tes commentaires!!Pour Moab, la cause est entendue, nous retravaillons sur notre programme, c'est mieux😉!Pour le J11 entre Torrey et Las Vegas nous allons voir pour ajouter une étape, peut-être Escalante comme le suggère ITAT...
Ah!Au fait, ton carnet de voyage est tout simplement superbe, très bien écrit (tiens, j'aime bien l'expression "Aux Etats-Unis le jetlag est ton ami" entre autres, ça ferait un bon slogan😉) les photos magnifiques, bref un très bon récit qui met en valeur les trésors de l'Ouest américain🙂
Oui, Escalante pourrait être pas mal pour ajouter une étape, merci du renseignement.Par contre, as-tu un hôtel là-bas en particulier?Il n'y en a sans doute pas beaucoup dans le coin😉!!
Circuit dans l'Ouest : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2744058
Floride-Louisiane : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3536861
Une semaine à New York : http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4550454
New York, again http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5593646
Tu peux essayer de trouver quelque chose à Cannonville ou Tropic pour te rapprocher un peu plus de Las Vegas. Tu as Kodachrome State Park dans le coin 😉. Je ne pense pas que tu l'aies fait.
Le Circle D hotel??Ok, je vais regarder.Sinon, c'est vrai que Tropic avait l'air bien.Lors de notre séjour en juillet 2009, nous nous sommes arrêtés dans un hôtel là-bas, pour demander où se trouvait le parking de la petite rando de Mossy Cave, nous avons été très bien accueilli et cet hôtel avait l'air super sympa.En outre j'aime bien le côté "village perdu au milieu de nulle part", donc à voir...
Dans le même genre pas loin il y a aussi un bon petit restau pour le petit déjeuner, c'est à Mount Carmel Junction, de l'autre côté de la station service, c'est très bon, copieux et pas cher, par contre il ne faut pas être pressé, nous avons attendu une demi heure pour être servis (dans la bonne humeur quand même, on est en vacances!!) par des employés nonchalants mais très sympas, on a bien ri😄😄😄
ça change du fast food du Ruby's inn où on a l'impression de déranger lorsqu'on commande le moindre burger😛
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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).
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!
