Mon tout premier post, apparemment pas d'une grande originalité 😊. Comme beaucoup de gens sur ce forum, ma fiancée et moi avons décidé de partir visiter l'Ouest des US pendant deux semaines (départ LA, retour SFO). La période : début Septembre. Hé oui, on n'est pas du genre à planifier bien à l'avance...enfin on a déjà booké l'avion ! Et on compte louer une voiture pour les trajets.
J'ai déjà pas mal regardé les différentes discussions sur le site, j'ai essayé de m'en inspirer au maximum mais malheureusement j'ai encore plein de doutes existentiels. Pourriez-vous me conseiller sur le parcours suivant ? Pour info, on est moitié ville-moitié nature, mais avec une tendance à aimer dormir dans des hôtels confortables plutôt qu'à la belle étoile...
dim 29 août arrivée LA après-midi
lun 30 août LA 0 km
mar 31 août LA 0 km
mer 01 sept LA-LV 426 km
jeu 02 sept LV-Grand Canyon 445 km
ven 03 sept Grand Canyon-Monument Valley 280 km
sam 04 sept Monument Valley-Page 195 km
dim 05 sept Page-Bryce 249 km
lun 06 sept Bryce-Zion 227 km
mar 07 sept Zion-Valley of Fire-LV 267 km
mer 08 sept LV 0 km
jeu 09 sept LV-Death Valley 216 km
ven 10 sept Death Valley-Yosemite 515 km
sam 11 sept Yosemite-SFO 307 km
dim 12 sept SFO 0 km
lun 13 départ SFO
Des questions en vrac :
1) J'ai vu sur le forum quelqu'un qui suggérait de faire LA-Grand Canyon directement le premier jour, sans passer par LV pour gagner du temps : ça fait 800 km de route donc sûrement une très grosse partie de la journée...ça ferait qu'on arriverait en fin d'apres midi, avec départ vers Monument Valley dès le lendemain, ce serait "suffisant" pour voir le Grand Canyon ?
2) J'ai super peur du parcours Death Valley-Yosemite puis Yosemite-SFO le lendemain...on risque de passer notre temps sur les routes et de ne rien voir de Yosemite ? Il vaut vraiment le coup d'y rester plus longtemps ? J'ai vu des gens rester 3 jours, d'autres le laisser tomber complètement. Je pensais éventuellement le laisser tomber (ainsi que Death Valley) et prendre l'avion de LV vers SFO pour passer plus de temps à SFO et être un peu moins fatigué...bref, je me rends bien compte que l'agenda général est tendu, alors à choisir, s'il y avait quelque chose à faire sauter dans la liste ci-dessus, vous diriez quoi ? Sachant que LA-LV-SFO sont des étapes obligées.
3) J'imagine que LV est le plus sympa le soir, mais dans le parcours j'ai prévu un jour sur place (8 sept)...on risque pas de s'embêter pendant la journée ? Savez-vous si un tour en hélico vaut le coup ? Par exemple Death Valley, histoire de répondre en partie à la question 2 ?
4) Faire la boucle en sens inverse (LV-Zion-Bryce-Page-Monument-Grand Canyon-LV), il y a une différence ?
Ton planning me parait tendu. Une seule nuit dans tous les parcs (il y en a certains ou c'est normal, comme Monument Valley) c'est dur. Si tu comptes le temps de route, tu visites quand? Sans compter la fatigue... Vue le temps imparti, l'étape à Valley Of Fire ne me semble pas appropriée. Tu peux y passer une paire d'heures en soirée avant de filer sur Vegas.
Si SF est une obligation, moi je laisserais tomber Death Valley - Yosemite (de toute façon tu ne ferais que traverser en voiture ces parcs...) pour prendre un vol (voir le site de Southwest par exemple) Las Vegas - SF. Car une journée à peine pour SF ça me semble dommage.
Sinon tu peux effectivement essayer de faire LA - GC direct sans passer par Vegas. C'est faisable, beaucoup l'ont fait ici. Par contre il faudra partir très tôt de LA ou commencer un peu à s'avancer la veille (jusqu'à Barstow par exemple?) pour profiter en soirée du Grand Canyon. Départ le lendemain en début d'après-midi pour Monument Valley qui s'apprécie surtout au coucher de soleil.
Vous êtes trop gourmands et du coup vous allez passer beaucoup trop de temps dans votre voiture...
Quel dommage de ne pas profiter plus de chaque site...
Par exemple, sur le trajet :
Las vegas - Death valley
Death Valley - Yosemite
Yosemite - San Francisco
C'est faisable bien entendu mais vous ne verrez rien de Yosemite.
inutile de dire que vous n'irez pas voir Bodie.
Je zapperais ce trajet à votre place pour aller directement Sur san Francisco depuis vegas en vol interne (car San Francisco 1 seule journée c'est aussi trop dommage et vous allez le regretter !!!)
Pour ce qui est de faite Los Angeles - Grand canyon en une traite, c'est faisable aussi, mais c'est un trajet très long malgès tout. Vous ne verrez pas grand chose de la route 66 par exemple et en repartant dès le lendemain de Grand canyon, j'ai envie de dire... Pourquoi aller au Grand canyon ?...
Je ne peux que vous conseiller de ralentir un peu et de voir moins de choses mais d'en profiter plus !
[
Sur vos deux premieres questions, le probleme est que vous passez 2 fois à LV, et que la 2° fois vs voulez y passer une journée en plus.
A mon avis,
1° Il y a une etape en trop à LV;
Soit vs faites directement LA-> GC, c'est long mais faisable, et ca vs fait gagner 1 jour sur le voyage
Soit vs zappez la 2° visite entre Zion et DV . Vs allez directement à DV
2° a mon humble avis, et en considerant le fait que vs n'etes que 15 jours dans l'ouest, LV ne vaut pas la peine d'y consacrer 2 nuits et 1 journée de visite.
Si vs partez tot de LV, vs y etes en debut d'AM, et vs avez donc tout l'AM et la nuit pour avoir un bon aperçu de la ville.
En supprimant 1 etape à LV et 1 journée, vs gagnez donc 2 jours que vs pouvez consacrer à autre chose : Imperativement 1 autre jour à SFO, et 1 autre pour alleger votre trajet DV -> SFO par Yosemite, par exemple.
4) Faire la boucle en sens inverse (LV-Zion-Bryce-Page-Monument-Grand Canyon-LV), il y a une différence ?
A mon avis non.
Il est vrai que ton parcours en 2 semaines est assez speed. Je suis parti aussi 2 semaines en septembre dernier dans l'ouest et j'ai dû enlever des étapes. je voulais le meme parcours que toi, mais pour profiter un peu plus de chaque parcs et chaque villes j'ai dû me résigner à supprimer San Francisco, yosémite et Death valley.
En ce qui concerne Las vegas, je pense l'avis est différent pour chaque personne. Moi perso, je suis restée 3 nuits à Las Vegas et j'y serai bien restée 1 ou 2 nuits de plus.
As tu déjà réservé tes billets, car une arrivée à PHOENIX t'aurai fait gagner du temps ???
Je trouve aussi que cela fait trop "course poursuite".
Par comparaison, on a quasiment fait le même programme que vous, à la même période, en 2007, mais avec 3 jours en plus.
Vous pouvez avoir un aperçu sur mon site: www.jeromecitytrip.com, ainsi que des bons plans et conseils.
Sinon:
- LV se visite effectivement de nuit, à partir de 18-19H. La journée vous pouvez soit aller jusque Valley of Fire ou rester peinard à la piscine de l'hotel.
- Toujours pour LV, restez sur votre idée d'y séjourner soit lundi, mardi ou mercredi car à partir du jeudi, les prix des chambres ont X2, X3 voir X4!!!
- Pour SF, 3 jours dont 1 seul plein c'est vraiment trop peu vu tout ce qu'il y a voir.
Effectivement, comme dit plus haut, je vous conseille du coup de zapper Death Valley(pas indispensable) et Yosémite(dur dur de louper çà mais bon...)pour rester 2-3 jours de plus à SF. Et, de ce fait, de faire LV-SF en avion.
Bons préparatifs en tout cas!
Mes photos, bons plans et carnets de voyage sur www.jeromecitytrip.com
Mon copain et moi partons également dans l'ouest et quasiment aux mêmes dates (départ le 30 août - retour le 14 sept). A quelques différences près, on fait le même parcours que vous.
Je te donne le détail, si ça peut t'aider, même si je pense que notre parours est loin d'être parfait mais pour nous il nous convient 😉:
J1 (30 aout): Arrivée à Los Angeles en fin d'après-midi
J2 : Los Angeles
J3 : Los Angeles, puis départ vers Barstow dans l'aprem.
Là je pense qu'il est possible de faire le trajet LA-Grand Canyon direct mais comme nous voulions prendre notre temps
pour découvrir la route 66 on a fait une étape qui nous rapproche de Grand Canyon, et au moins on sera sortie de LA
et de ses embouteillages 🙂
J4 : Route 66 et Grand Canyon
J5 : Grand Canyon et départ vers Monument Valley dans l'aprem pour arriver avant le coucher de soleil
J6 : Visite de monument valley tot le matin puis départ ver Page (Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell)
Là c'est la journée un peu speed
J7 : Trajet Page -Bryce Canyon le matin et l'après-midi visite du parc
Je pense qu'une bonne après-midi ne sera pas suffisant pour découvrir le parc mais on aura au moins un bon aperçu
J8 : Trajet vers Zion et visite
J9 : Trajet vers Las Vegas avec peut-etre un arret à snow canyon state park ou valley of fire, on verra bien le jour J
J10 : Las Vegas
J11 : Death Valley (nuit au lac Isabella)
J12 : Sequoia Parc
En fait, on s'est dit qu'on aurait pas assez de temps pour visiter Yosémite, alors que Sequoia parc à l'air plus faisable
en une journée
J13 : San Francisco
J14 : San Francisco
J15 (13 sept) : San Francisco (départ en fin d'après-midi pour la France)
En espérant avoir pu vous aider un peu.
Bon courage pour votre préparation, encore 3 semaines à attendre
Je voudrais vous soumettre le circuit que nous allons effectuer avec mon épouse à partir du 24 aout prochain.Tout est réservé (billets, hotels...) donc il est…
J'avais déjà demandé un avis il y a quelques mois sur le voyage mais nous avons changé le parcours et je voudrais savoir s'il n'est pas trop audacieux en kms.…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 15 replies
J'envisage de partir avec toute ma petite famille visiter l'ouest américain pendant 15 jours environs. Mes enfants ont actuellement 5 et 8 ans et je souhaite…
Nous avons un projet de voyage en famille à 3 pour l Ouest Américain du 26 07 2013 au 10 08 2013 je ne sais pas s il vaut mieux opter pour un voyage avec une…
Avec mon ami nous sommes en train de planifier nos vacances de septembre 2010, et sommes tous les 2 partants pour un road trip dans l'ouest des Etats Unis.…
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!
