bonjour à tous,
nous voulons découvrir la californie pour notre lune de miel, début mars avec la formule avion+hotel+voiture pour 1 semaine, que conseillez vous , san fransisco ou bien los angeles?
merci d'avance pour vos conseils et idées.
pascale et dominique
Evidemment, cela dépend de vos gouts en matière de voyages...
Si vous recherchez du romantisme, optez plutôt pour San Francisco et pourquoi pas un jour ou deux dans le Napa Valley ou encore vers Carmel, et emprunter la belle Highway 1.
je rentre de voyages de noces où j'ai eu la chance de visiter ces deux villes.
Mon point de vue est le suivant: trois jours à San Francisco ont été trop juste pour nous, alors que deux jours (nuit à Santa Monica) nous ont suffit à LA (voiture obligatoire je confirme).
Maintenant ce que tu peux faire est de prendre un vol interne, c'était southwest airlines pour nous, le tarif est vraiment avantageux.
Mais c'est vrai que si tu prends un circuit une semaine, il comprendra la logement.
Dans l'optique d'un voyage de noces, San Francisco me semble plus "romantique".
Mon avis rejoint celui de Sylvain (Poupinette), y compris dans les conseils de visites.
Si vous ne restez qu'une semaine, autant séjourner à San Francisco (disons 4 jours) et en profiter pour voir les alentours pendant les 2 ou 3 restants (y a le choix à proximité, à la liste de Sylvain je rajouterais Muir Woods par exemple).
Et en une semaine, San Francisco + la côte + Los Angeles ce n'est pas possible (en tout cas quand on veut vraiment voyager, c'est à dire voir du pays, profiter des merveilles de cette région) car il faut compter un stricte minimum de 3 jours à S.F., 2 à L.A. et 2 pour la côte (et j'insiste, ce sont des minimums, donc ça serait super rapide). Si on enlève les jours d'arrivée et de départ, le compte est vite fait, ce n'est clairement pas jouable ! (Et l'avion entre SF et LA ne me semble pas être un choix opportun dans ce cas-là - voyage d'une semaine).
C'est votre voyage de noces, donc faites-vous plaisir, prenez votre temps.
Si le budget suit vous pouvez même envisager un petit survol en hydravion de San Francisco au crépuscule avec champagne (par contre c'est pas donné !!!). Sinon, envisagez une traversée du Golden Gate Bridge en tandem ! 😎
Dans tous les cas, San Francisco me semble vraiment être une destination de rêve pour un voyage de noces. 😉
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
Salut, MRSPEEL à raison, 2/3 jours c'est un minimum pour San francisco
Voila ce que l'on a fait en 2 jours (en ayant réservé à l'avance la visite d'Alvatraz par internet)
Jour 1:
Le matin Alcatraz: embarquement du ferry des services de Ferry de la Red and White Fleet partent du Pier 41 à 9h (visite d'Alcatraz de 1h30 à 2h30)
L'après midi voir Union Square et partir d'Union Square en Cable Car (California Street Line) jusqu'à Nob Hill pour y voir le gratte ciel Clay Jones et la Grace Cathedral (inspiré par Notre Dame de Paris) et le Bar Top of The Mark au sommet de l'hôtel Mark Hoptkins pour la vue sur San Francisco gratuite sans prendre aucune consommation au bar
Voir à Russian Hill la Lombard Street (la rue la plus tortueuse du monde avec ses 8 virages en épingle à cheveux) et les plus grosses pentes (jusqu'à 40%) au bout de la 22ème Street entre Chuck et Visckburry et Jones Street et entre Pine et California (pour cela prendre la ligne Powell Hyde en Cable Car)
Voir aussi Telegraph Hill et monter sur la Coit Tower (qui ressemble à une lance de pompier) avec ses 63 Mètres de haut et ses fresques qui firent polémique sur les conditions difficiles des années 30
Et pour finir la journée, voir haight Ashbury et ses Painted Ladies (maison victorienne peinte) dans Page Street, Central Street, Masonic Street ou Walter Street et surtout à Steiner Street en face d'Alamo Square : les 7 maisons surnommées Post Card Row ( la rangée pour carte postale)
Manger un authentique Hamburger et un Milk Shake 24h / 24h au Lori's Dinner au 366 Mason Street
Jour 2:
Le matin: Financial district avec la Bank of America Building et de la place de l'immeuble voir le 19éme étage du 580 California Street qui est entouré de 11 étranges statues au visage caché par une capuche et la Transamerica Pyramid et l'immeuble Sentinel (Flat Iron : fer à cheval) juste à coté et aller voir dans la rue Merchant Street en face de la Transamerica Pyramid (le plus haut batiment de San Francisco) une plaque commémorant le terminus du Pony Express
Voir aussi le Japan Center et sa pagode le Peace Pagioda et l'ultra moderne St Mary's Cathedral à coté de Cathedral Hil
Et poursuivre par Chinatown (le plus grand du monde) : partir de Grant Avenue vers le nord Chinatown Gate à voir au croisement de Maiden Lane et de Grant Avenue, prendre à gauche Sacramento street et à droite Waverly Place, aussi nommée rue des balcons peints et dans la même rue les Chinatowns Alleys (étroite ruelle chinoise entre Grant Avenue et Stockton Street) après aller à gauche dans Washington Street et au 743 : voir la Banque de canton et la Fidelity Saving Bank, continuer dans Washington Street pour aller au Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory au bout de la rue piétonne Ross Alley qui met dans les gateaux une prédiction de bonne aventure
Et après voir le Golden Gate Park le plus grand parc artificiel des tous les USA sur 5 kms (la Maison de Thé où le thé est servi par des japonaises en kimono), voir le Golden Gate Bridge en allant au fort point lookout (pour le voir en entier et la baie de San Francisco
Traverser le Golden Gate Bridge en taxi et continuer pour aller à Sausalito et ses bateaux maisons à Richardson Bay : Gate 5/Gate 6
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT:
Et continuer après sur 27 kms au nord sur l'US 101 et la Highway 1 pour aller au Muir Woods National Monument voir des séquoias à Cathedral et Bohemian Grove
Et pour finir le soir dîner à Chinatown chez Sun Huny Henny Chinese Restaurant (le plus vieux depuis 1919) 744 Washington Street (982-2319)
perso, j'opterai pour une semaine à San Francisco avec des excursions à Muir Woods, Sausalito et Berkeley. La voiture n'est pas indispensable à San Francisco contrairement à Los Angeles.
Boire un verre au 52 eme étage de la Bank of America est très sympa, la vue sur la baie de San Francisco est magnifique (si la météo le permet).
merci bruno pour ce magnifique exposé,
finalement je crois que nous allons suivre ton itinéraire qui me parais magique, seulement encore une question me taraude:je voulais faire plaisir à ma future femme adorée en louant pour 1 semaine une ford mustang cabriolet pour faire entre autre la route 1 , mais vous tous ne jugez pas utile la location d'une voiture pour la semaine, qu'en penses tu?
dom
Avoir une voiture sur SF est quand même un petit plaisir !
Sausalito, Muir Woods, Berkeley, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay .... c'est faisable sans, mais un peu galère ...
Monter, descendre les principales avenues et rues de SF, traverser le Golden Gate, .... ça a son charme.
Pour faire la 49 Mile Drive c'est sympa http://www.openroad.tv/video.php?vid=34
Pour moi ça vaut donc le coup au moins deux/trois jours, pourquoi pas une virée sur Monterey sur la journée
Pour le cabriolet Mustang, seul Hertz le loue de manière certaine (catégorie FUN) sinon c'est un équivalent Sebring souvent.
Attention toute fois au climat en Mars !
merci bruno pour ce magnifique exposé,
finalement je crois que nous allons suivre ton itinéraire qui me parais magique, seulement encore une question me taraude:je voulais faire plaisir à ma future femme adorée en louant pour 1 semaine une ford mustang cabriolet pour faire entre autre la route 1 , mais vous tous ne jugez pas utile la location d'une voiture pour la semaine, qu'en penses tu?
dom
Si, au contraire. En restant une semaine dans le coin, vous pourrez bouger un peu, justement pour aller voir la Highway 1 du côté de Monterey et Carmel, ou bien au nord du côté de Muir Woods et Bodega Bay. La ford mustang se prête bien à la Highway 1. 😎
Et même à San Francisco elle peut-être utile. On conseille de ne louer une voiture qu'en quittant la ville, mais sur place, une voiture pourra vous permettre de monter par exemple dans les collines jusqu'aux Twin Peaks pour avoir une vue splendide sur la ville et le Golden Gate, etc.
Quant à la météo, il y a surtout de la brume en été, donc en Mars, ca devrait aller mieux. Il fera plus frais, c'est certain, mais ça ne sera pas non plus un froid insuportable, le climat du coin étant assez doux (un minimum de 10°C). Certes, trop froid pour se baigner, mais nettement suffisant pour profiter de cette région magnifique. Faut juste prévoir un coupe-vent et une p'tite laine.
Avec un peu de chances, vous pourrez voir des baleines. Elles passent dans le coin en hiver (Décembre/Février) quand elles migrent de l'Alaska pour aller dans les eaux plus chaudes, mais certains en ont vu en Septembre, alors tout espoir n'est pas perdu ! (Il existe des sorties en bateau depuis Monterey, certains t'en diront plus si tu es intéressé.)
Et c'est vrai que monter et descendre les rues de SF en voiture, traverser le Golden Gate Bridge est assez fun ! 😎
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
C'est pas faux, c'est pour ça qu'on avait choisi un motel avec parking gratuit.
Et si ne tu ne veux pas te chopper un PV, pense bien à tourner les roues vers le trottoir dans les rues pentues. 😉
Si tous les cons volaient, il ferait nuit. (Frédéric Dard)
mais vous tous ne jugez pas utile la location d'une voiture pour la semaine
Pour l'instant, personne en sait, ni toi à priori 😛 ce que tu veux faire et où aller ... donc conseiller ceci ou cela ne sert pas à grand chose 😇
Ta question de départ, c'est SF ou LA maintenant tu envisages de descendre la US1 et il faudra obligatoirement loger en route et pas un AR dans la journée donc une fois ton programme établi, tu sauras quand il te faut une voiture ou pas.
merci bruno pour ce magnifique exposé,
finalement je crois que nous allons suivre ton itinéraire qui me parais magique, seulement encore une question me taraude:je voulais faire plaisir à ma future femme adorée en louant pour 1 semaine une ford mustang cabriolet pour faire entre autre la route 1 , mais vous tous ne jugez pas utile la location d'une voiture pour la semaine, qu'en penses tu?
dom
Salut,
Un cabriolet, ca peut être sympa surtout pour prendre la rue aux virages les plus serrés du monde (voir photo)
Il fera peut être un peu froid mais avec le chauffage à fond, "ça devrais le faire"
Et si tu ne te contente pas de San Francisco et que tu vas jusqu'à Berkeley, il te faut une voiture
Nous on a fait Sausalito et Muir Woods en taxi et cela à été une petite galère (on a du attendre un taxi pour le retour en fait)
Puis redescendre à LA en 5 jours, quel itinéraire me suggéreriez vous, si vous l'avez deja fait, aussi pensez vous qu'il faut eviter certains motels?, j merci
Presque tout est dans le titre: j'ai loué une voiture à San Francisco le 4/8, (nous y passons auparavant 3 jours sans voiture) et je compte descendre jusqu'à…
Je souhaiterai avoir des avis sur la petite semaine en Californie que je me prevoie pour le mois de Mars. Je suis actuellement aux Etats Unis (dans un coin…
En avril prochain (avril 2012) j'envisage de partir avec ma copine à Los Angeles pendant 1 semaine. Voulant bénéficier des meilleures offres je me demandais…
Je doit préparer pour le 15 février un voyage d'une semaine, dans l'ouest américain. Nous sommes plus attirés par les villes (Los angeles, San Francisco, Las…
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!
