Je serai à San Francisco du 21 au 24 juillet et j'aurais aimer savoir quel horaire de bateau vous me conseillez pour aller à Alcatraz (9h30, 10h15, 10h45, 11h15, 11h45 ou l'après midi ) car j'ai entendu dire qu'il y avait souvent de la brume à San Francisco ?
Combien de temps dure le tour ?
Est il possible de déjeuner sur place ?
Combien de temps faut il pour aller de Geary Street ( près du visitors Center ) à l'embarcadère Pier 41 à pied ou en cable car ?
Moi j'ai pas eu un seul jourd e fog en Mai dernier en ayant passé 3 jours à SF.
Pour être sûr de l'éviter au plus : je dirai qu'il vaut mieux y aller vers 12.00 ou après...
Pour la durée de la marche c'est pas grand chose...
Je recommande de prendre des billets la veille au guichet !
D'après ce que l'on m'a dit, la visite dure dans les 2 heures. Il y a plusieurs bâteaux qui font la navette à différentes heures et en fait, tu peux y rester le temps que tu le désires ; sans râter le dernier bâteau bien sûr !!
Je n'ai malheureusement pas eu la chance de pouvoir y aller car je n'avais pas réservé avant et lorsque je suis arrivée au guichet pour prendre les billets, il n'y avait plus de place jusqu'au lendemain. Et, nous partions, le lendemain...
Je te conseille donc fortement de réserver sur internet ce qui te permettra de te présenter le jour du départ sans avoir à faire l'interminable queue qu'il y a au guichet.
Ou sinon, d'y aller la veille du départ ou même 2 jours avant pour être sure (puisque tu restes plusieurs jours à SF) et de prendre tes billets. Ne te fais pas surprendre comme nous... ce serait dommage !!!
Je n'avais pas la chance de le savoir et je ne me suis pas doutée qu'il pouvait y avoir un problème pour avoir des places !!!!
On m'a aussi dit que ça change de compagnie de bâteau en juillet et que l'on ne peut pas réserver par téléphone avant cette date !!
je suis allée à ALcatraz et cette visite à durée, pour moi, assez longtemps car je m'attardais à chaque détail, tout le monde a des écouteurs car toute la visite est accompagnée pas de la narration faite par les ex-prisonniers de cette prison. Je ne me souviens pas d'Avoir vu de la bouffe sur l'île mais c'Est une belle visite. Nous y sommes allés le matin tôt pour pouvoir faire autre chose de notre journée. Je n'ai pas eu de fog, (mars).
Comme le dit les autres, il faut défnitivement que tu réserves sur internet car il n'y a plus de place le même jour, même que le rvs qu'on me donnait si je n'avais pas réservé par internet, était 3 jours plus tard. Je ne restais que 3 jours. Pour ce qui est de Geary Street, je n'y suis pas allée.
Nous avons loué une voiture avec Alamo, et je n'ai pas regretté car il y a de belles choses à voir, tu n'as qu'à suivre les indications de L'oiseau sur un panneau qui te fait faire le tour de la ville!
je pars justement aux états unis cet été, nous y serons en famille à compter du 29 juillet et nous aurions aimé visiter alcatraz. Mais peux-tu m'aider et m'indiquer le nom du site sur lequel il est possible de réserver et combien de temps à l'avance avant de partir.
Sinon merci aussi pour des conseils d'itinéraires à faire à san francisco. Je crois qu'on peut facilement visiter la ville à pied?
20 minutes au plus pour la traversée, il faut arriver tôt pour trouver la bonne file pour le bon bateau..
tu peuxprendre celui que tu veux pour revenir🙂
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
Petite rectification: il y a souvent de la brume l'été à San Francisco 😉 Tout le reste de l'année ça va merci 😎
citation de wikipedia:
The combination of cold ocean water and the high heat of the California mainland creates the city's characteristic fog that can cover the western half of the city all day during the summer and early fall.
C'est pour ça que les gens qui y sont aller en Mars/Mai n'en ont pas eu ... Par contre c'est vrai qu'a la fin Juillet tu y auras surement droit mais quoi te dire c'est imprevisible, quand il y en a ca peut se lever d'une seconde a une autre donc bon ...
Les locaux disent "The worst winter I ever spent is a summer in San Francisco" mais rassures toi c'est vraiment tres localisé sur l'entrée de la baie et le golden gate bridge et permet parfois des vues magnifiques des deux piliers rouges sortant des nuages ... 🙂
et pour l'heure proprement dite de la visite vous conseilleriez quoi ? peut-on admirer SF depuis l'île ? dans ce cas, plutôt au coucher du soleil ? ce qui serait bien soit dit en passant pour se sentir dans une atmosphère, disons... "carcérale" ? ou tout cela n'a pas d'importance ?
Bonjour,
je suis allée à Alcatraz en octobre et la compagnie qui assure la traversée vers Alcatraz venait tout juste de changer... Les bateaux de Hornblower partent du Pier 33 (où il n'y a rien!) et non plus du Pier 41 - on peut facilement y accéder par le tramway F-Line (celui avec des voitures de tram venant de tous les coins du monde) sur Market St, près de Geary St, et le trajet n'est pas long. L'audioguide est inclus et vaut le coup.
J'avais pris le bateau de 10h15 (en m'y prenant la veille, pas trop le choix... mieux vaut réserver sur internet) - à cette heure il n'y avait pas encore trop de monde sur l'île mais de la brume (et un vent frais).
Bon voyage!
Merci à tous et à toutes de me donner tous ces renseignements, mais ma question date de juin 2006 . J'ai effectué mon voyage
en juillet 2006 !
Nous avons adoré la visite d'Alcatraz et l'audioguide était vraiment bien . Pas de brume, pas un nuage, c'était super.
Aaaaaarggggggg vous m'énervez avec vos messages lol !!!
Je rêve depuis quelques semaines d'aller à Alcatraz, je ne sais pas pourquoi !! Mais y'a un problème : J'ai 13 ans et puis j'ai toujours eu envie d'aller aux USA aussi, le problème c'est que quand on fait de si longs trajets c'est pendant les vacs d'été et puis cette année je vais au Mexique (sa m'attire pas trop mais bon je vais pas me plaindre hein lol), mais j'ai trop envie d'aller là-bas !!!!!
Peux-tu m'en dire un peu plus sur comment c'est passer ta visite là-bas ? La chance que tu as ! lol
Je conseille la visite diurne de fin de journée, 19 h il me semble.
Terrifiant! Les guides racontent des hostoiresmorbides et ouvrent de sparties de la prison(comme l'hopital)uniquement à ce créneau horaire.
Tout pourra avoir un petit aperçu sur mon site:
Je vais a San Francisco en avril et bien sûr je souhaite aller sur ALcatraz,
Pouvez vous me dire si sur le site http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ le billet DAY TOUR inclus le bateau pour aller et revenir de l'île ?
Oui effectivement vu comme ça c'est très drôle même hyper stupide !!!
Heureusement pour moi ça n'est pas du tout le renseignement que je demandais,
Ce que je voulais savoir c'est si ce billet inclus l'aller-retour en bateau ou seulement l'accès à l'île et l'audio tour et que donc nous devons prendre séparément les ticket aller-retour sur un ferry qui assure la traversée?
Bonjour,
Nous ferons l'ouest Américain du 27.04 au 03.06.2012. Pourriez-vous me dire si l'audio guide est aussi en Français ? On ne parle anglais (quelques mots) est-ce un problème pour la visite ?
Bonjour Sylvie,
Aucun problème pour la visite, un employé du site te demandera quelle langue tu souhaites lorsque tu seras dans la prison.
Mon fils de 5 ans a adoré l'audio guide 🙂
Bon voyage😎
J'ai décidé d'être heureux parce que c'est bon pour la santé
Usa : [2012/2013/2014] 2016 : Road Trip West USA "le retour" Welcome Yellowstone
2019 : California_Nevada_Arizona Road Trip - The Ultimate (en projet)
La visite en soirée est fortement recommandée (départ de 18h10, retour 20h40 horaires du bateau à vérifier à tes dates- nous c'était fin août**).
Audio guides en Français, blouson chaud pour la traversée !
35$/adulte résa Internet impérative 3 mois avant.
à + Jean.
Bonjour Jean,
Pourrais-tu m'indiquer le site où tu as réservé pour Alcatraz et quel est le nom du Tour que tu as pris? Cela faciliterai mes recherches, car mon anglais est limité et pour comprendre toutes les propositions, c'est galère.
Par avance, merci.
à + Sylvie.
Il n'y a qu'un seul tour qui te permette de débarquer sur l'Ile c'est celui indiqué par Jean 😉
Merci Leeloo75 😉
Petite question supplémentaire 🤪 Peut-on accéder au parc de Yosemite par l'Est et traversée sur la Highway 120 vers l'Ouest? Sur google maps je vois bien cette route qui traverse le park et pourtant jusqu'ici on ne m'a indiqué que (Big Oak Flat Entrance : depuis l'ouest par la California Highway 120). Est-ce que côté EST ce n'est qu'ouvert à certaines saisons? Pourtant d'Est en Ouest m'arrangerait d'avantage!!!!! Car ça ferait gagner environ 1h puisque l'on partirait de South Lake Tahoe pour Yosemite, ensuite direction San Francisco tout en traversant le park.😛
Par avance merci pour ta réponse.
A+ Sylvie
Oui tu peux par la Tioga Road, après cela dépend de la période à laquelle tu veux la traverser ! elle est souvent enneigée de novembre à mi juin voir plus ....
Début mars 2011, impossible de traverser le Yosemite park tout les cols étaient fermés avec prés de 2m de neige. Il y en avait d'ailleurs aussi beaucoup à Tatoe lake, nous voulions aller de SFO à Death valley. Attention, la route qui longe le Yosemite park à l'est ne comprend que très peu d'hébergement ouverts à cette époque. C'est surtout une route de tourisme d'été. A ne pas manquer, le Monolake, nous l'avons admiré avec de la neige, nous étions seuls, un grand moment !
Oui tu peux par la Tioga Road, après cela dépend de la période à laquelle tu veux la traverser ! elle est souvent enneigée de novembre à mi juin voir plus ....
J'ai recherché dans les discussions précédentes mais je n'ai pas réellement trouvé de réponses à ma question, tout de même désolé si la même question a déjà…
Préparant un petit programme de 2 jours complets sur San Francisco, je me pose une question: j'hésite, car faute de temps et question de budget on ne pourra…
Nous restons 3 nuits sur San Francisco fin juin. Nous avons lu et relu tous les sujets sur le forum concernant les moments les plus propices pour visiter…
Je serais tentée de faire la visite d'Alcatraz en soirée, vers 18h20 ou 19h05. Est ce que quelqu'un l'a déja fait? Vaut il mieux reserver par internet? Merci…
Photographie et vidéo en voyage › États-Unis · 1 reply
Voici une petite vdéo de notre passage à Alcatraz: vimeo.com/m/32116174 Pour ceux qui passeront par San Francisco, je conseil vivement cette visite très…
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!
