Je recueille tout type d infos qui pourraient m aider à organiser mon périple en voiture de SF à LA.
Nous pensons prendre 3 jrs/2nuits pr cette descente
Si vous connaissez des hotels/motels typique pas cheap/un lieu fabuleux perdu où vs auriez séjourné (jusqu à 150/200$)Loueur voiture à recommander?Villes ou lieux où il faut imperativement s arreter selon vous
Merci d avance de partager avec moi vos experiences
j'ai fait Santa Barbara --> Monterey (un peu au sud de SF) ce weekend.
A mon humble avis c'est la partie la plus intéressante du trajet LA--> SF (sans parler de SF bien sûr !!!)
Pour commencer il faut faire le trajet par la Pacific Coast Highway ("PCH" ou "1"), route qui longe toute la côte !!!!
Ce trip a été une des plus belles choses que j'ai faite depuis que je suis ici (4 mois).
Spots incontournables : Tout le long de la route, tu auras envie de t'arrêter tous les 3 miles tellement les paysages sont incroyables et à couper le souffle ! Big Sur : Pfeiffer Beach (plage cachée derrière la forêt, encaissée entre des falaises ou le sable est mauve par endroits, arches naturelles...)
sur cette même plage il y a les Pfeiffer falls à 300m de l'entrée de la plage Big Sur : Pfeiffer State Park : ballade dans la forêt de Sequoia (je n'ai pas eu le temps) Point Sur Lights, un phare (se renseigner visite possible uniquement le weekend je crois) Point Lobbos (proche de Carmel) : ballade à pieds le long de la côte dans un décor sublime + spot passage baleines suivant la saison et défilée de loutre et otaries Monterey : je n'ai pas spécialement aimé la ville mais il y a un magnifique aquarium très réputé que j'ai adoré (25$) !!!
Il y a également la "17 miles scenic view" que tu peux faire (apparemment un peu moins bien que Point Lobbos"
Les plages sont très sympas Hearst Castle : chateau moderne et psychédélique, le deuxième endroit le plus visité des US !!! (pas fait car on a eu un accident là-bas lol)
Autres spots : Santa Barbara ville super sympa et notamment la rue principale, boutiques, restos sympas, bars Solvang : village danois (un peu piège à touriste : bof), tu peux croiser un élevage d'autruches sur la route
J'ai logé dans un motel 6 (100$ la nuit déjà !) à Monterey. Les beaux endroits sont apparemment exhorbitants, mais à voir...
Agence de loc : juste apparemment éviter National Rent a car (aux dires des américains), c'est là où on avait loué lol
Bon voyage !!! Tu vas être époustouflé je pense, tout simplement incroyable !!!!!
La 17 Mile Drive est à voir, c'est l'une des plus belles routes scéniques des Etats-Unis.
Entre L.A. et S.F., il y a Pismo Beach, j'ai séjourné au Best Western, avec chambre donnant sur le Pacifique. Une vue somptueuse et très bon buffet. Chambre spacieuse et propre.
Pour les Etats-Unis, je réserve toujours mes véhicules chez Dollars.
C'est vrai que les arrêts seront nombreux sur la 1, tu y trouveras même des éléphants de mer par endroit.
Pour ma part (mais j'ai l'impression de me répéter, car j'en avais déjà parlé récemment sur le forum!), je me suis arrêté à Morro Bay pour y passer la nuit. On a vraiment l'impression d'être au bout du monde, avec la brume qui enveloppe la ville et les grognements des éléphants de mer dans le port.
Sans réservation, nous nous sommes arrêtés au Anchor Motel, tout près du port. Un bon vieux motel à l'américaine, pas la grande classe, mais tous les ingrédients du road movie! Très calme, simple mais plutôt propre. Ensuite, un verre dans un vieux saloon du "centre ville" où il n'y avait que des habitués, petite partie de billard, pas un seul touriste à l'horizon: le vrai dépaysement, quoi!
Le matin, au motel: beignets, jus d'orange et café à volonté. Connection Internet à la réception je crois.
39$ la nuit. Parking gratuit évidemment. Un très bon souvenir.
Et le matin, c'est un vrai bonheur de se réveiller alors que la brume se lève et découvre petit à petit le site exceptionnel de Morro Bay et son grand roc caractéristique dans le port. Et nous sommes bien entendu aller voir les hurleurs de la nuits, les éléphants de mer, toute une colonie qui dormait encore sur le ponton, et qui, il faut bien le dire, sentait très fort! 😉
Donc, je ne regrette pas d'avoir continué jusqu'à Morro Bay plutôt qu'avoir dormi à San Luis Obispo et son cortège de motels de chaînes.
Sinon, j'ai beaucoup aimé la route 1, elle offre de beaux points de vue tous très différents. La brume qui est toujours en mouvement durant tout trajet te permettra de faire des photos magnifiques. Tu croiseras sur certaines plages des éléphants de mer, des phoques, des petits écureuils. Un peu plus au large, tu devines les loutres de mer (apporte les jumelles pour les observer s'amuser dans les forêts de kelp).
Le site du restaurant le Nepenthe vaut le coup, mais attention, c'est le rendez-vous de tous les touristes européens qui font la pause déjeuner sur la route!
Sinon, mon avis sur les villes sur la route 1 (du sud au nord:)
Malibu: rien à voir! mais c'est un "ça, c'est fait": tu t'arrêteras faire une photo de surfeurs, mais c'est tout!
Santa Barbara: plutôt sympa, ville hispanisante à taille humaine, propre mais qui m'a eu l'air tout à fait authentique. Ca vaut le coup de s'arrêter, ne serait pour la situation entre plage et sierra (très jolies vues de palmiers au premier plan et la sierra au loin, vision typiquement californienne).
Solveig: on me l'a déconseillé, donc je n'ai pas fait le détour.
Carmel: franchement, bof! Ce qui est intéressant, c'est surtout de voir que la végétation luxuriante qui a pris racine un peu partout dans la ville, mais Carmel c'est aussi un peu un "ça, c'est fait!". Mais c'est sur la route, alors tu ne perdras pas trop de temps à y faire un petit tour.
Monterey: la ville n'a pas grand intérêt, mais c'est le point de départ des excursions pour aller voir les cétacés. Si tu fais un tour sur le ponton, tu verras toujours quelques phoques, soit qui se prélasse sur un ponton, soit qui nage dans le port.
En sortant de la ville, en longeant la côte vers le sud, presque en face de l'outlet (nike, adidas, mais je ne suis pas fana de ce genre de centres, j'ai joué à l'accompagnateur qui tient le sac de courses), il y a de grosses colonies de phoques sur la plage, protégés par des barrières.
A Monterey, nous n'avons pas continué et nous avons foncé sur SF!
cotrairement a ce que dit Cédric a monterey il y a le grand aquarium qui merite une visite d'une journée nous pour visité Monterey nous avions séjourné au vangabond inn de Salinas
Ah oui, Françoise, tu as raison et j'ai vraiment regretté de ne pas avoir vu l'Aquarium de Monterey! J'ai dû faire un compromis avec la personne qui m'accompagnait, snif snif... 🙁 alors que moi j'aime bien aller voir les poissons!
De l'avis de tous, c'est un Aquarium superbe et très bien fait.
La prochaine fois que j'y vais, direction l'Aquarium et pas de compromis qui tienne!
Et la conduite proprement dite?
On m'a dit que les Américains respectent le code, sont cool...
Forcément, conduire ds un pays où tu ne connais pas certains panneaux/usages, ça m'angoisse un peu...🤪
Des recommandations??
Merci à ceux qui m ont donné des plans hotels. Je suis tentée par le motel du bout du monde, Morro Bay: une question: l hygiene, la s de bains: c'était correct
Une autre demande SVP: On pense passer 1 nuit dans la vallée vinicole STA INEZ, au nord de Sta Barbara: qq'un y est allé? Il parait que c est magnifique
Niveau conduite ne t'inquiète pas, leur façon dêtre est à des antipodes de la France !!!! 😉
Ultra relax, fairplay... etc !
Les points importants : (extrait mail pour un copain)
Les feux : ils se situent en face du carrefour et pas la où tu t'arrêtes lorsque le feu est rouge : quand tu veux tourner à droite, tu peux passer au feu rouge
mais tu dois marquer un court arrêt et bien regarder si il n'y a pas de voitures évidemment
Les carrefours : il n'y presque jamais de rond point ni de cédez le passage (yeld en anglais) et jamais de prio à droite lorsqu'il n'y a pas de feu, ce sont des stops tu trouves souvent des carrefours à 4 stop (sur le panneau il est écrit "Stop all way)-> la règle est simple : le premier arrivé, part le premier
Les autoroutes : limitation à 65 voir 70 sur les Intersates (I5 ou IXXX)
mais règle un peu particulière : il faut suivre les gens. S'ils roulent à 65 tu fais pareil.
Mais s'ils roulent à 75-80 (plus fréquent), tu fais pareil aussi. Il faut fluidifier le traffic. il faut essayer de garder ta voix le plus longtemps possible, éviter de zigzaguer Mets-toi au milieu ou sur la gauche mais évite la droite (les gens rentrent sur l'autoroute sans regarder ou presque) Tu peux doubler par la droite ou la gauche, alors attention quand tu changes de file.
Conduite boîte auto : il faut toujours conduire sur la position "D" (même quand tu t'arrêtes au feu ou au stop) P: Parking (quand tu es garé et sort de ta bagnole) comme un frein à main R : marche arrière N : point mort (sert à rien) à l'arrêt tu dois appuyer sur le frein car la voiture avance toute seule
As tu une idée du temps de trajet en voiture SF-MorroBay ?
Est ce que c est faisable dans la journé, en en incluant arret dej...?
Je cherche mon logement (et veux éviter Carmel/Monterrey). Les propositions qui m ont été faites de Morro BayPismo... me plaisent bien, je me demande si ça pourrait etre notre 1e nuit apres SF, ou si ça fait un peu loin selon toi? (on compte descendre de SF à LA en 3jrs/2nuits)
Je te dirais SF --> Morro-Bay, un peu moins de 5h sans problème à SF (ce qui m'étonnerait) et par la PCH
bien sûr !
Je te dirais oui ! c'est largement faisable mais partez tôt de SF pour éviter tout problème (vers 7h) si en semaine
un peu plus tôt (ou plus tard mais trop de perte temps : après 9h).
Même avec de très nombreux arrêts, vous aurez le temps de profiter pleinement de la route sans trop vous fatiguez en plus.
Vous pouvez même rester au moins une heure à Pffeifer Beach pour prendre un bain de soleil et admirer le paysage !
Amérique Centrale › Mexique / États-Unis · 9 replies
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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!
