Bonjour , je me rend dans l'ouest en juillet , je voudrais savoir quels sont les plus beaux parcs et lequel vous supprimeriez parmis : Bryce , Zion , arches , canyonlands , capitol reef , antilope , monument Valley , car nous manquerons de temps et devront faire un choix . Merci !
nous manquerons de temps et devrons faire un choix
On en est tous là ! 😇
Il vaut mieux poster le nombre de jours dont vous disposez pour votre circuit,
et compléter votre profil (pour savoir ce que vos préférez, niveau sportif, expériences antérieures, goûts, ...)
comme cela les conseils seront mieux adaptés ! 🙂
Bons préparatifs...😎
(conseils en signature, notamment pour des exemples de circuits)
Nous aimerions faire un circuit de 15 jours avec un Max de contraste de LA à SFO .... Nous aurons 1 nuitée à grand canyon , page , blanding, moab, Bryce et Zion . C'est un peu speedy mais nous ne comptons pas visiter en profondeur les parcs mais juste voir quelques points de vue. Et rouler en milieu de journée quand les températures sont élevées. J'aimerais aussi savoir qu'elles sont les conditions de circulation en juillet sur les routes pour faire une boucle grand canyon - moab - Bryce . Merci
15 jours? Moab (Arches et Canyonlands) et Capitol Reef sont de trop pour un circuit entre Los Angeles et San Francisco.Même en faisant juste clic clac photo 😉
Nous aimerions faire un circuit de 15 jours avec un Max de contrastes
Si l'objectif ce sont les National Parks, il vaut mieux supprimer SFO,
et faire une boucle LAX- LAX ou Vegas-Vegas,
ça sera déjà pas mal ! 😎
+ voir les circuits en 15j proposés par Bastinj...
Si je devais te conseillé surtout n'élimine pas Bryce ou Zion : Bryce est faisable en une demi journée et c'est vraiment un bijoux!!! Mais les points de vus sont possible à faire en voiture rapidement, pas la peine de descendre faire une rando pour vraiment apprécier la beauté de ce parc; ce n'est pas le cas de Zion, il faut absoluement y passer au moins une journée et s'y promener pour profiter de cette merveille (vous pourrez croiser de super animaux ! 😉 )
En tout cas je vous souhaite un super voyage, nous on a adorer! surtout prenez votre temps, mieux vaut en faire moins et profiter plus que de vouloir tout faire et de ne profiter de rien, les meilleurs souvenirs et ceux qui resteront seront ceux que vous aurez le plus approfondis!
si vous voulez je parle des deux parcs sur mon blog
je voudrais savoir quels sont les plus beaux parcs et lequel vous supprimeriez parmis : Bryce , Zion , arches , canyonlands , capitol reef , antilope , monument Valley , car nous manquerons de temps et devront faire un choix . Merci !
En 15 jours de Los Angeles à San Francisco, avec un max de contrastes, comme vous souhaitez aller jusqu'à Moab, vous pourriez faire cela :
J1 : arrivée à Los Angeles
J2 : Los Angeles
J3 : Los Angeles > Grand Canyon rive sud
J4 : Grand Canyon rive sud > Monument Valley
J5 : Monument Valley > Moab > Dead Horse State Park au coucher du soleil (nuit à Moab)
J6 : Moab > Capitol Reef (nuit à Torrey)
J7 : Torrey > scenic 12 > Boulder > Burr Trail Road (un aller-retour sur la partie bitumée, c'est très joli) > Boulder > scenic 12 > Bryce Canyon
J8 : Bryce Canyon > scenic 9 > Springdale (entrée de Zion)
J9 : Canyon overlook le matin sur la scenic 9 > balades dans Zion ("The Narrows" si les rangers disent qu'il n'y a pas de risque de pluie) > Valley of Fire en fin de journée jusqu'au coucher du soleil > Las Vegas en arrivant sur le Strip la nuit
J10 : Las Vegas > Death Valley
J11 : Death Valley > Lee Vining (coucher du soleil sur Mono Lake)
J12 : visite de Bodie > Yosemite NP
J13 : Yosemite > San Francisco
J14 et J15 : San Francisco
Cool merci à tous pour vos infos ! On sent vraiment la passion s'exprimer , pas de doute que ces endroits sont exceptionnels ! Je vais vous transmettre le programme que nous aimerions faire. .
Hello , voici notre programme : Oui c'est speedy ! J'ai vécu 7 mois à Scottsdale c'est pourquoi je souhaite y passer une soirée.
- 20 Juillet :
• Vols BRU-LAX, arrivée entre 16 et 22h. Inchallah.
• Réception du bolide et nuitée à L.A. -> Santa Monica, Venice Beach, West Hollywood ?
Yo ! ....
- 21 Juillet :
• Visites à L.A. Oui c' est court mais à 7h on sera déjà à muscle beach.
• Route et Nuitée à Yucca Valley/ twenty nine palms , oui c'est très speedy mais muscle beach , Chinese theatre et Beverly Hills song assez pour nous.
- 22 Juillet :
• Départ vers Scottsdale/Phoenix
• Visite au sunrise du " Joshua tree national park", route de la "west entrance station" qui rejoint la highway 10 vers Phoenix , et arrivée fin d'après midi à Phoenix et pour les sportifs : ascension de Camelback moutain -> coucher de soleil...
• Visite du Old Town Scottsdale/souper ..... Nuitée à Scottsdale.
- 23 Juillet :
• Scottsdale - Sedona - Grand Canyon
• Visite de Sedona , arrivée dans l'après midi au Grand Canyon randonnée et nuitée sur place ( Grand Canyon village ? )
- 24 Juillet :
• Grand Canyon - Page
• Route le long du Grand Canyon le matin puis Antelope Canyon et/ou Horseshoe bend- ( point de vue ) près de Page dans l’après midi.
• Nuitée à Page.
- 25 Juillet :
• Page le matin , Monument Valley ( coucher de soleil ? )
• Nuitée à Blanding
- 26 Juillet :
• Départ vers Canyonlands National Park.
• Nuitée à Moab.
- 27 Juillet :
• Visite éventuelle le matin de Arches ou Capitol Reef
• Visite fin d’après midi et nuitée à Bryce Canyon
- 28 Juillet :
• Bryce Canyon le matin puis départ vers Zion
• Nuitée à Zion.
- 29 Juillet :
• Randonnée à Zion et route vers Las Vegas, casinos en soirée !
• Nuitée à Las Vegas.
- 30 Juillet :
• Départ de Las Vegas, traversée (avec airco) de Death Valley et nuitée à Lone Pine près du mount Whitney 4421m
- 31 Juillet :
• Lone Pine - Yosemite - El Portal ( 5h15 - 335 kms ).
• Visite de Yosemite National Park.
• Nuitée à Yosemite.
- 01 Aout :
• Yosemite le matin puis route vers San Fransisco ( 4h20 - 310 kms ). Nuitée à San Fransisco.
•
Voici une idée d'itinéraire qui pourrait vous permettre de voir un grand nombre de parcs dans les 15 jours que vous avez.
1 : Los Angeles
2 : Los Angeles
3 : Los Angeles - Las Vegas (400 km /4h) : visite du Strip en fin d'après-midi et en soirée.
4 : Las Vegas - Springdale (Zion) (270 km / 3h) : route vers Zion, balade dans le canyon de Zion dans l'après-midi.
5 : Springdale - Bryce (140 km /2h) : Suite de Zion le matin, quelques points de vue du Bryce en fin d'après-midi
6 : Bryce - Page (250 km /2h30) : Balade à Bryce le matin (i.e. Navajo Trail et/ou Queens garden), Lac Powell en fin de journée.
7 : Page - Grand Canyon (215 km /2h30) : Antelope Canyon le matin, Horseshoe bend sur la route, Points de vues au grand canyon au coucher de soleil.
8 : Grand Canyon - Monument Valley (280 km / 3h) : Suite du Grand Canyon le matin, Monument Valley en fin de journée
9 : Monuement Valley - Moab (240 km / 2h30) : Canyonlands : Island in the Sky et Dead Horse point dans l'après-midi.
10 : Moab : visite de Arches
11 : Moab - Salt Lake City (370 km /4h) : Petit tour à SC dans l'après-midi.
12 : Salt Lake Ctiy - San Francisco : restitution de la voiture et vol interne jusqu'à SF.
13 : San Francisco
14 : San Francisco
15 : Retour.
Kilométrage et temps de route apparents ?!? 😮
Bravo pour le circuit ! 🙂
Le secret du succès et de la faisabilité, c'est le vol intérieur : il n'y a pas de mystère ! 😇
(on le dit et on le redit sur le Forum, il faut bien 2 nuits- 3 jours à Moab ! -comme indiqué ici-)
dans le même ordre d'idée, voici le circuit de Gwen (avec km et temps de route)
extrait du post de Bastinj (circuits dans l'ouest en 15j)
Jour 1 : Arrivée à SFO (Hotel Grant Hotel... hôtel pour toutes les nuits du reste du voyage)
Jour 2 : SFO
Jour 3 : SFO
Jour 4 : Avion vers LV : arrivée en fin de matinée
LV --> Bryce : 400km / 4H30
Trajet avion vers Las Vegas le matin et départ dans la foulée vers Bryce pour une arivée en fin de journée.
Nuit à Bryce
Jour 5 : Bryce --> Torrey : 200km / 2H45
Le matin : visite Bryce Canyon avec petite balade à pieds
Après-midi : en route pour Torrey via la UT-12
Nuit à Torrey
Jour 6 : Torrey --> Moab en passant par Capitol Reef : 250km / 2H45
Arrivée à Dead Horse Point en fin d'après-midi
Nuit à Moab
Jour 7 : Canyonlands (island in the sky, shafer trail)
Nuit à Moab
Jour 8 : Arches NP
Nuit à Moab
Jour 9 : Moab --> Mexican Hat : 290km / 4H00
Valley of the Gods
Arrivée à Monument Valley en fin d'après-midi
Nuit à Mexican Hat
Jour 10 : Mexican Hat --> Page : 230km / 2H30
Vermillon Cliffs et/ou Horseshue Bend et/ou Marble Canyon
Nuit à Page
Jour 11 : Page --> Grand Canyon : 220km / 2H30
Antelope Canyon (lower : moins de monde) et/ou Tour en bateau sur le lac
Arrivée en fin de journée au Grand Canyon
Nuit au plus près du Grand Canyon
Jour 12 : Grand Canyon --> Kingman : 310km / 3H30
Petite balade à pieds dans Grand Canyon le matin
En route pour la Route 66…
Nuit à Kingman
Jour 13 : Kingman --> Las Vegas : 280km / 3H10
Passage par Oatman
Passage par la Ghosttown Nelson (NV)
Soirée à LV pour dépenser nos derniers $
Jour 14 : Départ de LV pour Paris
(Copyright Gwen)
Oui, votre projet est speed. Proche de Sedona, il y a des beaux petits parcs que vous n'aurez pas le temps de visiter (Slide Rock State Park, Red Rock State Park) et avant vous avez Montezuma Castle.
Pour le Grand Canyon, vous pouvez dormir à Tusayan ou à Grand Canyon Village.
Antelope Canyon se visite le matin pour avoir une bonne lumière (l'Upper Antelope Canyon tout en fin de matinée quand le soleil est au zénith, le Lower Antelope Canyon se visite en début de matinée). Vous pourrez visiter Antelope Canyon le 25 juillet au matin.
Le point de vue Horseshoe Bend peut se voir au coucher du soleil le 24 juillet et le lendemain matin après le Lower Antelope Canyon.
Je suppose que vous souhaitez dormir à Blanding pour vous rapprocher de Moab. Nous, on avait dormi à Mexican Hat pour profiter de Monument Valley jusqu'au coucher du soleil.
Le 26 juillet au soir, vous serez près de Dead Horse State Park, je vous conseille vivement de profiter des points de vue de ce parc au coucher du soleil avant d'aller dîner à Moab.
Le 27 juillet, levez-vous très très tôt si vous souhaitez faire la route panoramique de Arches NP avant de prendre la direction de Capitol Reef.
Comme vous n'avez pas prévu une étape à Torrey, vous n'aurez pas le temps de passer par la scenic 128 qui longe le Colorado, au nord-est de Moab.
Le 29 juillet en fin de journée, avant Las Vegas, je vous conseille d'aller à Valley of Fire et d'en profiter jusqu'au coucher du soleil.
Vous ne verrez pas Death Valley aux meilleures heures de la journée puisque vous ne faites que traverser ce désert. En été, en pleine journée, il fait environ 50°c et vous n'aurez pas les belles lumières de la fin de journée sur Artist's Palette, le coucher de soleil à Sand Dunes et le lever de soleil à Zabriskie Point.
Je vous souhaite un bon réveillon et une bonne année 2014.
Réfléchissez à votre itinéraire afin de profiter des points de vue aux meilleures heures de la journée. Si vous faisiez une étape à Torrey, vous pourriez profiter de Panorama Point et Sunset Point au coucher du soleil, c'est magnifique.
A Valley of Fire, avant de prendre la route pour Las Vegas, vous pourriez faire la balade qui mène à Fire Wave au coucher du soleil. Il faut stationner au petit parking qui précède celui de White Domes.
C'est difficile de préparer un circuit de 15 jours de Los Angeles à San Francisco en faisant la grande boucle jusqu'à Moab. Tous les parcs sont beaux.
Sur un message, vous demandez quelles sont les conditions de circulation en juillet pour faire la boucle Grand Canyon > Moab > Bryce.
On ne roule pas vite, non pas à cause des embouteillages, mais parce qu'il y a beaucoup de belles routes panoramiques et on s'arrête assez souvent pour faire des photos.
Pour vous donner une idée approximative du temps de trajet d'une étape à une autre, utilisez Google map.
Merci et meilleurs vœux à vous aussi ! Grace à vous entre autres , nous allons pouvoir compiler un max de renseignements afin d'optimaliser notre circuit !
Je ne sais pas si je pourrai visiter ces lieux, j'en rêve mais financièrement je ne sais pas si ce sera à ma portée. C'est pourquoi je fais appel à vous je…
J’ai besoin de votre aide pour un itinéraire, mon fils voudrait visiter certains des grands parcs l’année prochaine au mois d’août avec sa femme et ses enfants…
Je partage les cartes des parcs qui m’ont aidée à préparer mon séjour de septembre 2019. Si vous avez le temps, complétez mon post ça pourra aider ceux qui…
Nous sommes un couple. En septembre, nous allons partir de San Francisco jusqu'à Los Angeles ou San Diego, à vélo, en itinérance. (Nous avions déjà parcouru…
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!
(Copyright Gwen)
