Je suis actuellement en train de préparer un voyage sur trois mois en Amérique du Nord d’octobre 2013 à début janvier 2014.
Je commence par le Canada où je prévois de rester trois semaines puis je m’envole pour la côte ouest. J’aimerais avoir votre avis sur mon itinéraire pour la côte ouest. J’ai indiqué entre parenthèse le temps de parcours.
30/10 : J1 : Arrivée à Los Angeles (de Montréal, il y a un direct)
31/10 J2 : LA
01/11 : J3 : LA –Disney (34 min) - LA
02/11 : J4 : LA
03/11 : J5 : LA – San Luis Obispo (1h35)
04/11 : J6 : San Luis Obispo – Big Sur (2h27)
05/11 : J7 : Big Sur-San Francisco (2h35)
06/11 : J8 : San Francisco
07/11 : J9 : San Francisco
08/11 : J10 : San Francisco – Yosemite national park (3h50)
30/11 : J32 : LA (départ vers la Louisiane ou la Floride)
Merci de me dire ce que vous en pensez. Je ne suis bien sûr pas un jour près si vous pensez qu’il faut rester plus longtemps à un endroit ou moins à un autre. J’ai juste essayé de ne pas être à Las Vegas le weekend. J’ai fait cet itinéraire pour avoir un aperçu du déplacement. J’avais envie d’aller à Yellowstone mais c’est trop compliqué au vu des distances.
San Luis Obispo est 4h au nord de LA, sans un arret a Santa Barbara qui est une belle petite ville. On peut visiter beaucoup de vignobles aux environs de Santa Barbara et San Luis Obispo.
Point Lobos State Park jusqu'au sud de Carmel est tres joli. L'aquarium a Monterey est excellent.
Je conseille une visite a Big Basin State Park un peu au nord de Santa Cruz afin de visiter une belle foret de redwoods (sequoias, mais pas les memes qu'aux montagnes de Yosemite ou Sequoia NP).
La saison de pluie/neige commence normalement en novembre en Californie. Parfois tot parfois tard. Personne ne sait aujourd'hui si Tioga Pass a Yosemite NP sera encore ouvert. C'est 50/50, a mon avis. J'etais une fois au massif Sierra Nevada pendant la meme semaine et il neigeait pour la premiere fois cet automne la ma derniere nuit. S'il y a de la neige, les chaines sont obligatoires aux montagnes.
Si tu as le beau temps, on trouve pas mal de choses a voir a l'est de Tioga Pass. Ici sur VF on parle toujours des memes endroits, Bodie et Mono Lake. Moi, j'aime surtout la foret de Bristlecone Pines a l'est de Bishop (mais c'est a 3000m) et Devils Postpile pres de Mammoth. D'autres sites et musees interessants existent dans la region aussi.
C'est un itineraire assez charge. Donc, je deconseille le detour a Denver qui n'est pas du tout un incontournable. D'ailleurs, la neige est une bonne possibilite aux Rocheuses de Colorado. Par contre, j'aime beaucoup Santa Fe. Un jour additionel a Santa Fe est peut-etre une bonne idee. Ou bien, un detour quelque part afin de visiter Monument Valley ou Canyon de Chelly.
Attention: Bryce Canyon est assez haut, 2600m, donc frais en novembre avec possibilite de neige.
Merci à toi d'avoir répondu et pour tes conseils que je garde précieusement !
Je vais effectivement zapper l'arrêt Denver, je ne savais pas trop par où passer pour revenir vers l'Est, mais je vais regarder pour Monument valley ou Canyon de Chelly.
Pour le logement, est ce que tu me conseilles de réserver ? J'avais en tête de ne rien réserver (uniquement l'arrivée à LA les premiers jours) car le voyage peut être imprévisible...
Pour le logement, est ce que tu me conseilles de réserver ? J'avais en tête de ne rien réserver (uniquement l'arrivée à LA les premiers jours) car le voyage peut être imprévisible...
Pas besoin de reserver sauf a LA et SF, a mon avis.
Bonjour,
Après Santa Fe, je pense que Taos est incontournable.
On pourrait penser, ensuite, à un itinéraire : Durango, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Moab.
Effectivement, il faut plus de 8h... ça peut remettre alors en question mon itinéraire, car si je souhaite aller à San Francisco ou y repartir pour aller vers la Death valley national park, il faut de toute façon que je passe par cette route pour y être au plus vite.
Si c est fermé tu prévois de sortir de Yosemite par la sortie la plus au sud côté ouest tu redescend bakersfield et récupère death valley par le sud. Tu peux en profiter pour faire séquoia. Sinon en effet le vol intérieur sfo LV est souvent la solution
Je verrai sur place, mais il faudra que je rende la voiture à san Francisco. J'avais éventuellement prévu de la louer d'ici et je ne pense pas que l'on puisse la rendre prématurément. Vous pensez que je peux attendre d'être sur place pour la louer et donc voir à ce moment là si je la loue pour tout le périple. Je demande ça par rapport aux coûts.
Et si je reprends une voiture à las Vegas, est de que je peux la rendre à LA? Sauf si je décide de repartir de las vegas pour aller en Floride, ce qui sera sûrement le mieux en fait.
Dans ta situation, je conseille que tu rends la voiture a LV ou LA, et non pas a SF. Il semble que c'est moins cher pour les francais a reserver des voitures pour les USA sur un site francais. Donc il faut decider en avance ou on veut rendre la voiture. Meme si Tioga est ferme, tu pourras facilement visiter Sequoia NP/Kings Canyon NP, et Death Valley en allant a LV. Les sequoias aux parcs Sequoia/Kings Canyon sont plus impressionants que Mariposa Grove a Yosemite. Le secteur "Giant Forest" a Sequoia NP est superbe!
J'etais a Death Valley en novembre et le temps a ete parfait!
Donc, il faudrait que je termine mon parcours par SF en prenant l'avion à LV pour SF et reprendre un avion à SF pour la Floride.
Non, pas du tout. Tu peux terminer ton parcours ou tu veux, mais il faut preciser la ville/aeroport ou tu vas rendre la voiture quand tu fais la reservation. Et tu peux acheter un billet d'avion de n'importe quelle ville dans l'ouest pour la Floride. Je ne comprends pas pourquoi tu parles de retourner a SF pour aller a la Floride. Est-ce que tu as deja reserve les vols?
Mais pourquoi dis tu qu'il ne faut pas rendre la voiture à SF? Je n'ai encore rien réservé, je me renseigne pour le moment.
Il faut que tu regardes une carte et aussi faire des simulations avec google maps. Si Tioga Pass est ferme et si tu quittes Yosemite NP a Oakhurst, c'est ~6-7h pour aller a LV via Bakersfield. Je crois que c'est pareil pour aller a Death Valley. Et pour aller de Death Valley a LV, c'est 2h. Tu peux aussi visiter Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP comme Manza a propose. C'est un beau parc. Donc ce n'est pas du tout un desastre si Tioga Pass est ferme. Mais si tu retourne a SF de Oakhurst (apres avoir visite Mariposa Grove), c'est deja 3-4h. Il faut rendre la voiture, te presenter a l'aeroport 2h avant le vol, et puis louer une autre voiture a LV. Donc tu ne gagnes pas grande chose, il me semble, si tu prends un vol de SF a LV. Et si tu veux toujours visiter Death Valley, ca sera un detour de LV.
Je conseille que tu cherches des discussions concernant la location d'une voiture aux USA. Presque tout les francais disent que c'est moins cher d'utiliser un site francais pour la reservation de la voiture. Sinon, il faut payer beaucoup pour l'assurance, je crois. Moi, je n'en sais rien parce que j'habite aux USA et ma propre assurance est valable si je loue une voiture aux USA ou au Canada. Normalement, il n'y a pas de frais d'abandon si on loue en Californie et on rend dans une autre ville en Californie ou a LV. C'est presque toujours moins cher si on reserve la voiture en avance.
Je pense que ce que veut dire Aquilegia, c'est que tu laisses ta voiture à San Francisco et de là tu prends un vol pour LV et tu refais une boucle à partir de LV.
Sinon, à regarder ton parcours, si tu tiens à voir Yosemite, tu peux aussi faire comme ça, un peu à la louche...
30/10 : J1 : Arrivée à Los Angeles (de Montréal, il y a un direct)
31/10 J2 : LA
01/11 : J3 : LA –Disney (34 min) - LA
02/11 : J4 : LA
03/11 : J5 : LA – San Luis Obispo (1h35)
04/11 : J6 : San Luis Obispo – Big Sur (2h27) >> voire pousser jusqu'à Monterey pour la nuit.
05/11 : J7 : Big Sur - Monterey - Yosemite (à vue de nez 3h30 de voiture - je ne me souviens plus du temps que ça prenait, j'ai fait plusieurs fois Yosemite<>Monterey)
06/11 : J11 : Yosemite
07/11 : J12 : Yosemite – San Francisco (4h)
Remarque : L'intérêt de Lee Vining c'est de pouvoir voir Mono Lake et Bodie tout en constituant une étape à la sortie de Yosemite. En novembre, si la Tioga Road est fermée, il y a de fortes chances que l'accès à Bodie soit très problématique aussi (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509 ), et toute la Sierra sera dans la période d'ouverture de la saison de ski (Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes).
08/11 : J8 : San Francisco
09/11 : J9 : San Francisco
10/11 : J13 : San Francisco - Las Vegas par avion - Donc tu rends ta voiture à San Francisco, et tu en reprends une autre à Las Vegas, et là, tu peux varier les plaisirs : voiture normale pour la première partie de ton trajet, et voiture un peu plus haute sur pattes pour la suite.
Voir à quelle heure tu arriverais sur Vegas : si c'est assez tôt, tu peux aller sur DV directement ce qui te gagne une journée ci-dessous. En novembre il fait moins chaud dans DV, donc possibilité de visiter / randonner un peu plus.
11/11 : J13 : Las Vegas-Death valley (2h)
12/11 : J14 : Death Valley – Las Vegas (2h)
Je n'ai pas d'avis pour la suite, vu que je ne connais pas encore le terrain.
Peut-être moyen de tourner la boucle dans l'autre sens pour avoir la partie Zion / Bryce / Colorado plus tôt et avec moins de probabilité de neige ?
Auquel cas ça peut s'enchaîner après Death Valley sans souci (et alors voir si tu mets ton escale à Vegas avant ou après DV).
13/11 : J15 : Las Vegas
14/11 : J16 : Las Vegas – Grand Canyon (4h20)
15/11 : J17 : Grand Canyon
16/11 : J18 : Grand Canyon – Meteor Crater (2h) – Albuquerque (4h10)
17/11 : J19 : Albuquerque-Santa Fé (1h)
18/11 : J20 : Santa Fé
19/11 : J21 : Santa Fé- Denver (5h40)
20/11 : J22 : Denver
21/11 : J23 : Denver-Grand Juction (4h)
22/11 : J24 : Grand junction – Moab (1h50)
23/11 : J25 : Moab
24/11 : J26 : Moab
25/11 : J27 : Moab – Capitole Reef (2h30) – Torrey (17min)
26/11 : J28 : Torrey – Bryce Canyon (2h27)
27/11 : J29 : Bryce Canyon – Zion (1h48)
28/11 : J30 : Zion – Las Vegas (2h38)
29/11 : J31 : Las Vegas – LA (3h53)
30/11 : J32 : LA (départ vers la Louisiane ou la Floride)
Juste une remarque : pourquoi revenir jusqu'à LA si tu n'as prévu d'activités ou de visites ? Si c'est juste pour reprendre l'avion, tu peux repartir de Las Vegas.
Comme déjà dit par ailleurs, il n'y a pas de frais d'abandon entre Californie et Las Vegas... et si tu optes pour un SFO > LAS par avion, tu loueras une voiture à Las Vegas et pourras faire ta boucle à partir de là.
Ne pas retourner jusqu'à LA t'économise une longue journée de route.
Voili. En tout cas, tu prépares un super voyage avec des ambiances bien différentes dans tes destinations !
Je pense que je vais prendre une voiture jusque san Francisco et la rendre à ce moment pour ensuite prendre en avion jusqu'à LV. Je ferais ensuite le reste en voiture et repartirai donc de LV pour aller en Floride. Mais je vais encore en parler avec mon compagnon de voyage. Merci en tout cas merci beaucoup pour les conseils. Je vais retravailler sur l'itinéraire pour essayer de commencer par les parcs avant les chutes de neige.🙂
Je pars pour la Californie (paris- San Francisco) de mi octobre à mi novembre. Je commence donc a faire les recherches...Auriez-... des idées, conseils choses…
Je pars bientôt en roadtrip d'un peu plus d'un mois sur la côte ouest des USA. Nous arrivons à San francisco (les billets sont déjà pris - 12 juillet). Puis…
Nous revenons d’un road trip sur la côte est des usa, après un road trip dans l’ouest il y a 2 ans et je n’avais pas trouvé l’intérêt de faire un compte rendu…
Amoureux fou des Etats-Unis, je fais d’ailleurs tout mon possible pour m’y installer, je vais essayer de vous raconter mon dernier road-trip au pays de l’Oncle…
Photographie et vidéo en voyage › États-Unis · 6 replies
On revient d'une semaine aux EU, en passant par le Vermont. Superbes paysages, lumière d'automne, les fermes...Si vous y aller prenez les petites routes (comme…
salut a tous
je prepare un tour du monde et je recherche des bons plans pour les logements aux etats unis
avez vous des petits prix a me partager svp
merci
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!
