Cet été nous allons de San Francisco vers Yosemite, Las Vegas et les canyons.
Sachant que je compte mes jours et que je suis prêt de la côte Atlantique (Biarritz, St-Jean de Luz), pensez-vous que cela vaut le coup de passer par la côte et Monterey avant de filer vers Yosemite ?
La cote par la route numéro 1 vaut vraiment le coup et surtout monterey et son aquarium qui est aussi un centre t'étude du monde marin avec une section Méduses magnifique et partout surtout dans le port des loutres de mer . D'autres villes sont trés jolies sur cette cote
Moi j'étais passée par la route plus au nord, par Merced et Mariposa. J'avais beaucoup aimé. Et je suppose qu'on devait être arrivés à Yosemite par l'entrée ouest, mais là, honnêtement, aucun souvenir 😕
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
En fait pour détailler ma question, si je passe une journée à MONTEREY, je devrais l'enlever de SAN FRANCISCO ou de YOSEMITE.
Est-ce que cela vaut le coup de passer un jour de moins à SF ou YOSEMITE pour voir Monterey ?
Si oui, que pensez-vous de l'itinéraire que j'ai mis sur la photo ?
Bonjour
Ceci depend de la durée du sejour a SFO et Yosemite.
Si vous n'avez pas bcp de tps aux 2, la route N1 ne vaut pas le detour, ceci depend
sur quoi vous voulez vous focaliser (pour moi, ce fut les parcs + SFO et pas la Californie).
C'est bien une attraction majeure de la Californie
Une remarque, la partie la plus interessante est entre Montery et San Luis Obispo plus
au sud. la partie que vous montrez sur la carte n'est pas la plus interessante.
De plus si vous etes pres de la cote basque, (mes amis qui sont alles aus USA
le sont), le depaysement est moindre.
Renaud
C'était un peu l'impression que j'avais mais c'est délicat de juger sans y être allé.
J'ai donc envie de privilégier SF et Yosemite.
Je pense donc arriver à Yosemité par le Sud pour visiter Sequoia Mariposa Grove tant cité sur le forum.
Cela pourrait donc donner le circuit ci-dessous.
Ya des arrêts qui valent le coup sur la route ou mieux vaut filer sur Yosemite ?
Re bonjour
Avec le recul et ce que vous verrez (les parcs), la ou les routes SFO - Yosemite
ne sont pas tres interessantes.
Ce qui peut etre different en terme de ressenti ou l'ordre des visites est important
(une attraction majeure peut eclipser une autre faite dans la meme journee, quand vous debutez
votre voyage, tout peut etre interessant) ou de vos centres d'interet. Si l'agriculture
californienne vous interesse, la route vous interessera.
Le passage plus au nord classique vers Sacramento avec Sacramento comme point d'arret
possible mais Sacramento bien qu'interessant par rapport a ce que vous aurez vu
risque de paraitre fade.
Aller directement sur Yosemite me parait preferable, j'avoue que je n'ai pas
pas d'avis sur la preference route 120 ou 140.
Si vous prevoyez d'y aller en ete ou le week end, le trajet Yosemite Villlage entree Sud pour
Mariposa risque d'etre long....est ce un critere suffisant pour prendre l'entree Sud,
je ne sais pas.
Peut être pourriez vous nous dire le nombre de jours dont vous diposez et ce que vous allez faire (avant/après SFO/Yosemite) parce que parler d'un point particulier hors de tout le contexte, ce n'est pas forcément le mieux ! 😉 (peut être avez vous déjà évoqué votre parcours dans un autre post ? mais j'avoue j'ai la flemme de chercher ! et la multiplication des "petits" posts sur un même trajet a tendance à m'agacer un poil 😛)
Bref, je ne me prononcerais pas spécialement sur le passage ou non par Monterey, mais en revanche l'entrée par Yosemite sud en partant de SFO, c'est quasi 1h de route en + par rapport à l'entrée ouest par la 120... et comme l'a dit renaud1, attention aux embouteillages l'été et le week end ! Dès qu'un camping car poussif se trouve devant vous sur les "petites" routes dans et vers Yosemite, ça peut devenir pénible !
@+
Bonne préparation et Bon voyage
Vnoa
"A la liberté de provocation, répond la liberté d'objection"
"Les cons, ça ose tout. C'est même à ça qu'on les reconnaît"
"Le con ne perd jamais son temps, il perd celui des autres"
Carnet de Voyage: De Mile High City à Sin City (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada) -> voir mon profil
Nous avons ensuite prévu d'aller vers Lee Vinning puis Death Valley, Las Vegas et ensuite Zion, MV, GC, ... et départ de Las Vegas vers New York.
Mais je suis en train de détailler la suite en lisant le forum et pense proposer l'itinéraire complet d'ici la fin de a semaine.😉
La 2ème GROSSE question que je me pose mais je n'ai rien posté à ce sujet est : "Est-ce que je visite San Francisco/Yosemite/death Valley ou est-ce que je ne fais pas plutôt Las vegas, les canyons puis YellowStone ".
Ya tellement de choses à voir que c'est pas facile de faire un itinéraire 🙁
Ou alors j'ai vu que certains entrent par l'EST pour dormir près de mariposa grove
Ca serait bien que tu nous dises un peu précisément de combien de jours de voyage tu disposes car tout est faisable si tu restes 3 mois...😉
Et si tu hésites entre 1 ou 2 itinéraires, fais nous tes propositions...
Moi perso c'est une question de choix l'itinairaire 1 était trés bien pour l'avoir faitj'aime bien la cote entre Sf et monterey surtout vers Santa Cruz
L'itinairéra 1 était trés bien pour l'avoir fait
Discuter le bout de gras sur un extrait du parcours ne tient pas la route si tout le trajet est ensuite à revoir !! 🤪
Allez lances toi et dis nous :
1/ le nb de jours exact dont tu disposes;
2/ des idées de circuit (avec ou sans Yellowstone)
et ensuite on pourra ergoter sur Monterey, Yosemite par l'ouest, sud ou est, Death Valley, etc...;
3/ dépendant de 2/, le point de départ et le point d'arrivée !
Je suis en général anti-boucle (ie je ne repars pas de l'endroit où j'ai atteri pour cause de gain de temps... mais il y a ensuite parfois des frais de "one-way" à prévoir... à toi de nous dire ton circuit ! et on pourra t'aider à affiner les étapes ! mais parler d'une étape, hors d'une vue d'ensemble, c'est dur ! 😉
@+
Vnoa
"A la liberté de provocation, répond la liberté d'objection"
"Les cons, ça ose tout. C'est même à ça qu'on les reconnaît"
"Le con ne perd jamais son temps, il perd celui des autres"
Carnet de Voyage: De Mile High City à Sin City (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada) -> voir mon profil
C'est pour ne pas te presser une fois de plus mais je suis d'accord avec les remarques de Vnoa.
precises nous que tu privilegies: tout est superbe aux US, mais il faut faire des choix
en fonction de ses gouts encore faut il preciser lesquels....
en plus precises le nombre de personnes qui participent a ton circuit
Le nombre d'or est 4 pour mieux repartir les frais de voiture et de motel
1 chambre avec 2 grand lits c'est pratique en cas de secours.....
sache que les parcours sans boucle generent sans doute des frais supplementaires
mais on peut les reduire facilement si on compte le ou les jours gagnes, si on on loue
plusieurs voitures sur des trajets consecutifs en les choisissant judicieusement pour
limiter les frais d'abandon....
Ce qui compte en fait c'est la depense totale que vous estimez par rapport au nombre
de jours interessants que vous passez sur place.
Pour ma part, j'ai emmene des amis a priori plutot peu suspects d'americophilie
mais comme ce fut la 4eme fois que je voyais les USA et connaissant
leurs entres d'interet, j'ai pu leur proposer beaucoup en etant selectif
sur les points d'interets de chacun des parcs selectionnes.
Si tu veux des renseignements judicieux, precises nous tes envies, la duree et le nb de personnes...pour mieux te proposer des choix.
Imagines toi un americain qui te demande quoi voir en France sans preciser ses gouts
et sa disponibilite: on serait gene pour lui repondre....
En fait j'ai ouvert depuis une discussion avec mon itinéraire complet sur laquelle il y a eu des échanges (mais elle a été supprimée !!) puis une deuxième avec un itinéraire modifié à partir des remarques et que vous trouverez à ce lien.
Je n'ai pas lu le post jusqu'au bout. Je ne sais donc pas ce que t'on proposé les autres.
Pour ma part, je te conseillerais de filer directement à Yosemite.
Je n'ai pas l'habitude d'avoir ma langue dans ma poche alors je vais être très hônnete au risque de casser un peux les mythe de la belle ville côtière de monterey.
Entre San Francisco et Monterey, la côte est belle, les plages sont très belles aussi. Tu verras des surfers, des immenses étendues de sable blanc et des cultures. Mais sincèrement, si tu es un habitué du sud ouest, tu ne découvrira rien de très exceptionnel. Rien avoir avec la grandeur et la magie de Yosemite !
Monterey est une ville balnéaire un peu attrape touriste où l'on te propose des balades en bateau au large pour voir des baleines pour 40$ par personne. Des boutiques dans lesquelles tu entre par principe mais où tu n'acheteras rien. La côte de la ville par elle même n'est pas vraiment exceptionnelle... de vieux bâtiments abandonnés (anciennes usines je pense) qui gachent considérablement le paysage.
La seule chose interessante réellement à voir ce sont les lions de mer et multiples espèce d'oiseaux, pélicans...
Carmel est une jolie petite ville mais pas d'un immense interêt sauf si tu es fan de galeries d'art. L plage est belle sous réserve qu'elle ne soit pas envahie par la brûme fréquente à priori...
La partie de la côte qui est la plus jolie à mon sens est celle située entre Monterey et Los Angeles.
La 17 miles Drive est un attrape touriste.
Je m'attends à des réaction très vives, alors je rappelle que tout cela n'est que mon avis personnel ! 😎
ci joint quelques photos de Monterey... ça se passe de commentaires.
J'ai vraiment vraiment regretté d'avoir perdu 2 jours sur mon itinéraire que j'aurais pu passer à Yosemite (Fabuleux !!!)
Pour moi, San Francisco et le Yosemite ne méritent pas qu'on leur enlève 1 jour. San Francisco en transport en commun c'est super et Yosemite grandiose. J'en reviens (septembre 08).
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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!
Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, etc,... "overcrowded"!FR
2019, un voyage pour se faire plaisir (États-Unis)FR
En solo dans l'Ouest américainFR
L'Ouest américain sous un oeil nouveauFR
Trois semaines entre Montréal, Ottawa, New York et la Nouvelle AngleterreFR
27 jours à travers le Nord-ouest américainFR
