voici le programme que nous avons prévu pour notre trip d'un moi en Juin 2010 dans l'Ouest des USA. Les étapes sont arrêtées mais pas les activitées donc toute idée est bonne ainsi que vos expériences . C'est un trip pas trop soutenu mais c'est volontairement car nous ne souhaitons pas courrir de partout ce sont des vacances et nous préférons revenir plusieurs fois aux USA car la prochaine fois ce sera Yellowstone et environs.
Qu'en pensez vous?
Merci
1 San Francisco
- Visitor center (900 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102-2887, United States) Bus - 71 - Haight-Noriega - Direction : 48th Avenue - Départ : Market St & 5th St/Arrivée : Market St & Hyde St
- Alentours - Union Square( monter au sommet du Westin Saint Francis Hotel grâce aux ascenseurs extérieurs pour la vue sur SF)
- Diner chez lori 's diner(149 Powell St, SF, CA 94102 (415) 677-9999)
2 San Francisco
- Ultimate San Francisco Tour (4h00)
- POWELL-HYDE - Cable Car - Direction : Hyde & Beach - Départ : Powell St & O'Farrell St /Arrivée : Hyde St & Lombard St Russian Hill –(Voir Lombard Street et alentours Hyde Street et Polk Street)
- Fisherman’s Wharf-Pier39 Bus - 47 - Van Ness - Direction : Fisherman's Wharf - Départ : North Point St & Hyde St/Arrivée : Powell St & Beach St
- (Tram jusqu'à Embarcadero & Sansome) St Telegraph Hill (voir Coit Tower)
- (Bus 39 jusqu'a (Union St & Columbus Ave)) Washington Square puis (Bus 41 jusqu'a Columbus Ave & Washington St)) Transamerica Pyramid
- (Cable Car - Direction : Van Ness Av. - Départ : California St & Montgomery St/Arrivée : California St & Grant Ave) Chinatown (Dragon's Gate)
3 San Francisco
- recuperation de la voiture chez Alamo
- Traverser Golden Gate Bridge
- Sausalito – Tiburon
Muir Woods
4 San Francisco
- Alamo Square
- Ashbury Street -Haight Street
- Golden Gate Park(Fulton at 36th Ave / Lincoln at 41st Ave)-Japanese Tea Garden(7 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr)
5 San Francisco - Monterey – Carmel
- Gilroy Premium Outlets, 681 Leavesley Road
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row Monterey
- Fisherman’s wharf
- 17 mile drive -Carmel
6 Monterey - San luis Obispo
- Point lobos
- Big Sur-Pfeiffer beach-Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Simeon - Hearst Castle ouvert de 8h20 a 15h20 (Selon envie et si le temps)
- A San Luis Obispo visiter rue Higueras street et Broad street
- Diner au Madonna in , 100 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93405-5489, United States (805) 543 3000
7 San Luis Obispo – Santa Barbara-Los Angeles
Entre San Luis Obispo et Santa Barbara :
- Voir village danois Solvang
A Santa Barbara :
- voir State street jusqu'a Stearns Wharf
A Los Angeles :
- Santa Monica (voir (3th street promenade) et plaque route66 au croissement de Santa Monica bld et ocean Avenue)
- Sur Hollywood Bld (Walk Of Fame, Chinese Theater , Kodak Theater et Hollywood and Vine)
- Mulholland Drive -> Wonder View DR pour aller au pied de Mount Line pour le sigle HOLLYWOOD
- Griffith Obserbatory pour la vue de Los Angeles la nuit
8 Los Angeles
- Visite guidée de 4h00 par cali-fun
- Visite The Grove, Rodeo Drive, Berverly Hills
- Santa Monica
- Venice beach(INFO : Pour se garer à Venice, on longe Pacific Coast et on tourne à Windward.
Il y a un parking avec gardien ( plus pratique que de remettre des pièces dans l'horodateur ) et on est ainsi au centre du quartier.)
9 Los Angeles
- Visite de Universal Studios en VIP (Se garer au Parking preferred 20$ car c’est le plus prêt de l’entrée.)
10 Los Angeles –Barstow- Kingman
A Barstow :
- Tanger Outlet(Tanger Way) et Barstow Outlet(Factory Outlet Ave)
A Oatman :
- Visite de la ville
A Kingman :
- Historic Route 66 Museum(Si le temps en arrivant si non le faire le lendemain matin avant de partir vers le Grand Canyon)
Information : Hours: 9-5 Daily (last tours admitted at 4:45) , Address: 120 West Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ 86401 / 928-753-9889
11 Kingman-Seligman-Grand Canyon
A Seligman :
- Route66 et shop Delgadillo’s(301 Chino Street Seligman, AZ 86337, United States)
A Grand Canyon :
- Mather point (visitor Center) et yavapai observatory (acheter Annual Pass 80$)
- Installation hotel puis navette Hermits Rest route(voir les points de vue).
- Coucher du soleil a Hopi Point
12 Grand Canyon-Page
- Prendre navette pour voir le lever du soleil a Yaki Point(Kaibab Trail route)
- Vol de 30mn en Hélicoptère au dessus du Grand Canyon
- Détour pour voir Navajo Bridge et Lee’s Ferry (Colorado)
- Arret a Horseshoe Bend
- Scenic View Rd
13 Page
- Visite de lower Antelope Canyon vers 9h30
- Visite de Upper Antelope Canyon vers 12h00(Noon)
- Visite et baignade a Lone Rock Beach (Utah donc 1h00 de + qu’a Page qui est en Arizona, sauf a Antelope Canyon qui est en territoire Navajo donc ou c’est la même heure qu’en Utah puisque les territoires Navajo passent en heure d’été)
- Tour de bateau de 1h30 sur le Lac Powell a 6 :15pm
- Diner au Ken’s Old West
14 Page-Monument Valley
- Visite de Monument Valley par la piste Valley Drive 17 miles
- Point de vue Goosenecks State Park (si pas le temps faire la visite le lendemain matin)
15 Monument Valley-Valley Of The Gods(Mulley Point-Natural Bridge)-Moab
- Gooseneck State Park (si pas fait la veille)
- Valley Of Gods
- Moki Dugway et Mulley Point (si passage par la UT-261 N vers Natural Bridges)
- Twin rocks (a Bluff) si passage la US-191 N en direction de Moab
- Wilson Arch(a l’approche de Moab)
- Visite de la ville (Aller au Visitor Center , 125 East Center Street)
- Diner au Moab Brewery, 686 South Main Street
16 Moab
- Route 128 vers l’est pour voir entre autres les Fisher Towers et autres
- Visite Arches National Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park pour le sunset a 8:45pm
- Diner au The Moab Diner, 189 South Main Street
17 Moab
- Mesa Arch a Island in the Sky pour le lever du soleil 5 :54am
- Potash Road
- Visite de CanyonLands
18 Moab-Goblin valley-Capitol Reef-Torrey
- Visite de Goblin Valley State Park
- Fruita (Scenic Drive)
- Torrey(Ballade , hotel )
- Gooseneck Overlook point (entre Torrey et Fruita) au Sunset
- Hotel et diner au café Diablo ou au Rim Rock)
19 Torrey-Bryce Canyon
- Courses pour pic nic au Chuck Wagon General Store avant de partir de Torrey
- A Boulder faire un bout de la Burr Trail Road
- Mossy Cave (Parking situé sur la US12 à 4 miles de Tropic et à 4 miles de la jonction avec la route US63 qui mène dans Bryce Canyon)
- Hôtel(repos, ballade, piscine)
- Voir Sunset Point au coucher du soleil(8 :53pm) ou Rodéo
20 Bryce
- Voir Sunrise Point au lever du soleil(6 :07am)
- Visite des différents point de vue du Parc en navette(les navettes partent de l’hotel)
- Visite de Red Canyon a 13 miles en direction de Panguitch
21 Bryce Canyon-Zion(Springdale)
- Ballade Weeping Rock Trai et Riverside Walk
-Journée détente
22 Zion
- Visite de Zion
- Rando Emerald Pools Trail
23 Zion-Valley Of Fire-Las Vegas
- Visite de Valley Of Fire
- Visite du Strip(Différents Hôtels)
24 Las Vegas-Death Valley
- Visite de Death Valley
25, 26 et 27 Las Vegas
- Fashion show mall , outlets etc..
- Stratosphère (Déjeuner au Roxy et monter en haut pour voir Las Vegas de nuit)
- Spectacle KA au MGM Grand
- Musée de Madame Thussauds
- Visite Strip (Hotels)
- Freemont Street Experience (Downtown)
- Spectacles gratuits du Bellagio, Mirage, Treasure Island etc..
Juste une remarque: j'enlèverais un jour à Las Vegas à la fin pour le rajouter sur Moab: ça vous permettrait d'avoir une journée pleine pour Arches, une journée pleine pour Canyonlads et Dead Horse Point et une journée pleine pour la route UT128 (Fisher Towers, Onyon Creek etc...)
Merci ITAT . Effectivement ta remarque est logique concernant le jour de plus a Moab(moi qui suis plus nature que ville) mais ma femme souhaite passer du temps a Las Vegas car elle rêve depuis toujours d'y aller donc je vais pas l'en privée.😉
J9 : si tu arrives tôt, avant l'ouverture, le parking normal sans supplément n'est pas loin du tout de l'entrée principale (fait en octobre , peut-être le dispatching est il différent en pleine saison?)
En voilà un bien bel itinéraire bien préparé, qui ne sera pas une course après le temps!! (ça nous change!!...)
Vous avez su rester raisonnable , ne pas être trop gourmand et laisser des étapes pour un autre voyage!
Petite remarque à propos de :
"17 Moab
- Mesa Arch a Island in the Sky pour le lever du soleil 5 :54am
- Potash Road
- Visite de CanyonLands "
Je suppose que vous prévoyez de visiter Canyonlands, après le sunrise à Mesa Arch (qui se trouve ds Cannyonlands)... et puis seulement ensuite de prendre Shaffer Trail + la Potash Rd pour retourner à Moab (SUV obligatoire avec une haute garde au sol!)
Bon voyage!
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
J 14 : A priori rien de prévu avant MV ? Je mettrais Horseshoe Bend là alors ... plutôt qu'en fin de journée. En attendant la fin de journée pour MV, aller au musée du Goulding's par exemple.
J 18 : Je sais pas si c'est dans l'ordre mais tu fais des AR avec Torrey. Le Gooseneck Overlook se fera après la Scenic Drive en fin de journée.
J3. Ce sera selon l'envie et le timing mais effectivement merci pour Point Bonita
J7.Concernant Solvang c'est vraie qu'au départ c'était pas prévu au programme mais bon selon le timing on aura toute liberté pour zapper cette étape. Tout le long de notre trip ont a ajouté quelles étapes comme celles la qui sont la le cas ou mais qui ne sont pas indispensables si une fois sur place on trouve mieux selon l'envie du moment .
Pour Hollywood sign après avoir lu des tas de carnet de voyage, il y a différents témoignages donc je verrais également sur place
J9. Il est probable qu'en Juin(début de la haute saison) ce soit peut être un peu diffèrent qu'en Octobre mais bon toujours pareil je verrais sur place et comme tu dis en arrivant tôt qui sait!!
En effet, nous comptons faire Mesa Arch(sunrise) puis visite de canyonlands et retour Moab par Potash Road.
J'ai loué une categorie midsize SUV donc on verra bien pour la garde au sol selon le véhicule qui me reviendra, en espérant que nous ayons de la chance car j'ai l'impression que c'est un peu au pif!!
J14. J'avais cru lire que Horseshoe Bend était a l'ombre le matin tout du moins une partie!!!
J18. Pour ce qui est de Gooseneck Overlook oui bien sur ce sera après Fruita . En faite ce sera Panorama Point puis Gooseneck Overlook puis Chimney rock et Torrey
Horseshoe Bend était a l'ombre le matin tout du moins une partie
A 6h00 oui 😎 mais faut y aller un peu + tard. En fait c'est surtout pour avoir le soleil dans le dos et en fin de journée, on l'a pratiquement de face ce qui peut être dérangeant pour la jolie photo.
En plus, comme c'est le jour où tu pars pour MV, t'a le temps d'y aller tranquillement à la fraîche puisque tu auras déjà fait Antelope.
J18. Pour ce qui est de Gooseneck Overlook oui bien sur ce sera après Fruita
Je ne sais pas trop ce que ça donne en fin de journée car c'est assez encaissé .... Par contre, une chose est sûre c'est que la Scenic Road est idéale à cette heure-là et + grandiose à mon avis. Pour ce que j'en ai vu, je me garantirais plutôt la Scenic à ce moment, quitte à faire ces 2 points de vue avant peut-être.
Mais bon, à moins d'avoir fait les 2 à la même heure, difficile de juger 🤪
Effectivement cela confirme tes dires (voir site ci-dessus) pour la visite de Horseshoe Bend en matinée donc on fera la visite le matin avant de partir vers Monument Valley.
Pour la lumière, pour ce qui est de la chaleur .....
Petite marche de 20mn depuis le parking , un partie dans le sable , penses à prendre un peu d'eau .
Oui effectivement je sais qu'il y a une petite marche de 15 mn et pour l'eau je pars du principe qu'il y aura tout le long de notre voyage une reserve dans le coffre le cas ou .
Pour ce qui est de Upper et lower Antelope Canyon on l'es aura fait la veille donc pas presser😉
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 98 replies
Je prépare mon futur voyage aux USA prévu début juin 2016. Nous sommes 4 (2 adultes et 2 enfants de 11 et 14 ans) et ce sera notre 1er voyage aux USA.…
Nous partons en famille avec 2 ados (14 et 17ans) tout le mois d'aout, j'ai réservé l'avion et fait un programme mais j'aimerais votre avis avant de réserver…
J'aimerai partir 1 mois aux us et je fais appel a vous pour intervenir sur mon eventuel programme _paris - new york _new york - miami (en avion) _miami - las…
Ca y est nous nous sommes décidés avec ma compagne pour la destination de notre premier grand voyage hors d'Europe... et il s'agit de la Floride. Je voudrais…
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › États-Unis · 5 replies
Je dois partir en stage en juillet aux États-Unis. J'ai trouvé un stage dans un laboratoire d'une université américaine Davis en Californie. je suis en contact…
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.
Merci de me conseiller pour la réservation pour la plus belle vue faut il réserver une chambre dans l'hôtel ou choisir une cabane ?
Prendre le petit déjeuner ou pas ?
Que pensez vous du 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!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
