Ma copine et moi-même avons déjà réservé l'avion pour San-Fransisco en juillet prochain et nous rentrons depuis Las Vegas 26 jours plus tard.
On arrivera depuis New-York où on y restera 6 jours.
Nous aimerions savoir si notre itinéraire convient. Si vous avez des conseils, il ne faut pas hésiter à nous les donner!
Alors voici l'itinéraire que nous avons prévu.
•San Fransisco, 4j
•Yosemite, 1j
•Carmel, Monterey, 1j
•Santa Barbara, 1j
•Los Angeles, 5j
•NewPort Beach, 1j
•San Diego, 2j
Tijuana1, 1j
•Phoenix, 2j
•Grand Canyon Village, 1j
Grand Canyon
•Page(nuit), 1j
Lake Powell
Monument Valley
•Moab (nuit), 1j
Arches national Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
•?(nuit), 1j
Bryce Canyon
•?(nuit), 1j
Zion
•Las Vegas, 3j
Nous avons prévu de passer les nuits dans des hôtels ou des motels mais pas au camping.
En ce qui concerne la voiture on va en prendre une dès que l'on va partir pour le Yosemite NP.
Je n'y suis jamais allée et je prépare moi-même mon circuit mais en lisant les commentaires des "connaisseurs", tout le monde te dira qu'1 jour pour faire Arches national Park + Canyonlands National Park + Capitol Reef National Park, c'est trop peu !
Tu consacres trop de jours à Los Angeles et pas assez aux parcs. Pourquoi ne pas enlever 2 (voire 3) jours à LA et en profiter pour passer 1 jour supplémentaire à Moab et 1 ou 2 autres dans un autre parc . As tu zappé volontairement Death Valley ?
Bon courage pour la finalisation du circuit et bonnes vacances.
Alors ce qui est de Death Valley, je l'ai zappée volontairement.
Car elle se se trouve entre SF et Las Vegas et c'est le point de départ et d'arrivée de mon voyage. En plus je ne voit pas trop l'intérêt d'y passer en plein mois de juillet.
Alors en fait on se réjouis de voir les parcs car ils ont l'air vraiment magnifique mais on aimerait pas qui'ils deviennent trop prépondérant dans notre voyage. Donc pour Arche on va y passer un moment mais pour les 2 autres on va juste les voir depuis la route sans forcément s'y arrêter.Mais c'est vrai que ça fait un bon bout de chemin.
En fait je pensais plutôt qu'on allait rebondir sur le jour où l'on va fair le lake Powell(avec Antelope canyon), puis Monument Valley et ensuite aller dormir à Moab!
Pour Monument Valley, je pense aussi voir le parc depuis la route sans plus.
Enfin voià!!!
Si vous avez des infos pour dormir où j'ai mis des "?"n'hésiter pas!!
Bonjour,
Excuse ma franchise, mais ton parcours est un gros gachis ! Consacrer plus de 3 semaines à l'Ouest mais en ne faisant QUE PASSER à Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef etc ... ça ressemble à la vitesse d'un circuit de bus japonais !
A contrario 1 jour à Santa Barbara où il n'y a strictement rien à voir, 5 jours à L.A où 2 peuvent suffire..
Mais après tout c'est TON voyage 🤪
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
Tout comme les réponses précédentes, ton circuit me semble également incohérent.
Pour Monument Valley, je pense aussi voir le parc depuis la route sans plus.
Tu veux passer à côté de Monument Valley et ne pas rentrer dans le Park?
Personnellement je pense que c' est vraiment dommage, car si tu ne veux pas y consacrer beaucoup de temps, tu en as que pour 2-3 h. pour faire la piste à l' intérieur du park.
Pour Los Angeles, je pense que 5 jours sont un peu de trop, 3 ou max. 4 suffisent.
San Francisco-Yosemite-Carmel impossible d' effectuer ce trajet en seulement 1j.
Pour Moab, 1 seule journée ne sera effectivement pas suffisante.
Tu dis ne vouloir faire que passer dans les parKs, mais tu ne te rends pas compte que tu vas faire énormément de km pour finalement ne pas voir grand chose, c' est dommage!
N' oublies pas que les distances sont grandes aux Etats-Unis.
Je comprends bien ce que tu veux dire pour les parcs, mais arrivés dedans je n'ai pas forcément envie de voir les moindres recoins.
A Santa Barbara on pensait simplement y dormir après avoir visiter Carmel et Monterey.
Pour Los Angeles voudrais aller voir un jour Universal Studio donc reste plus que 4 jours là-bas!!! 😎
Et Tijuana au Mexique? Est-ce intéressant d'y passer? 🤪
Alors j'ai modié mon itinéraire. J'ai décider de ne pas aller à Tijuana.
•Page(nuit), 1j
Lake Powell (Antelope Canyon)
Monument Valley
• ? (nuit), 1j
Arches national Park
• ? (nuit), 1j
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
•?(nuit), 1j
Pour ce qui est de Yosemite;
on pensait faire SF-Yosemite, visiter le parc puis dormir sur place.
Le landemain partir sur Carmel et faire un petit tour en fin de journée. Dormir sur place, visiter le landemain et partir vers Santa Barbara où on ne reste que dormir.
Et Tijuana au Mexique? Est-ce intéressant d'y passer?
Aucun loueur n'autorise à aller au Mexique avec sa voiture !
Suis jamais allé à Tijuana, mais ce que j'en ai lu sur les forums ne m'incite pas du tout à y aller !
A Santa Barbara on pensait simplement y dormir après avoir visiter Carmel et Monterey.
Pour Los Angeles voudrais aller voir un jour Universal Studio donc reste plus que 4 jours là-bas!!! 😎
Pour faire SFO-L.A, sans trainer ni musarder en route, il faut honnêtement 2 jours pleins. Donc si tu y ajoutes la visite de Monterey/Carmel (sans parler d'un tour sur la mer voir les bestioles du coin) ça fait 3 jours en tout.
Pour L.A : mon évaluation c'est 2 à 3 jours DONT un jour entier à Universal. Mais je le répète c'est MON avis !
Et je crois comprendre que tu nous l'a demandé dans ton post initial ?
Si vous ne réussissez jamais rien du premier coup, n'essayez pas le parachutisme !
Pour Antelope Canyon, n' oublies pas qu' il faut faire la visite entre 11h. et 13h., en effet, pour que la lumière pénètre dans le canyon, il faut qu' elle soit à la verticale.
Pour Carmel, vous en ferez vite le tour, car c' est une toute petite ville, à part la mission il n' y a pas grand chose. Tu peux également gagner une journée ici à moins que tu aies prévu de faire Point Lobos.
Entre Monterey et Carmel, il y a la route ''17 Mile Drive'' que vous pouvez faire. (route côtière avec différents points de vue).
Sinon entre San Luis Opisbo et Santa Barbara vous pouvez faire un petit détour par Solvang qui est un petit village typiquement danois. Vous aurez l' impression de ne plus être aux Etats-Unis!
En ce qui concerne Phoenix, avez-vous une raison particulière pour y rester 2 jours?
bonsoir plein de chose a dire sur ce superbe voyage je l'ai fait en sept 2006 je pense que 3 jours a LA c'est suffisant, phoenix rien a voir tijuana a voir pour sa galerie marchande mais passez par palm spring le désert est magnifique et la ville aussi(resto" moule frite "tenu par un belge sympa) si vous le pouvez il faut voir canyon de chelly plus a notre dimension que le grand et vraiment tres beau et puis durango et le train a vapeur pour silverton innoubliable comptez 2 nuits sinon 2 nuits a las végas je pense que c'est suffisant !!pas de soucis pour les motels n'oublié pas de negocier le prix de la chambre il accepte de discuter voila si je peux vous aider + bon séjour
Franchement, tu devrais coisir une autre destination.... aller dans l'pouest et ne pas vouloir que les parcs soient preponderants, c'est une ineptie totale..Qaunt a en faire les moindres recoins..... laisse moi rigoler..... si tu en vois le 1/100 e au premier voyage, c'est deja beau.... visiblement tu ne sais pas au devant de quoi tu vas.... de l'immensité des lieux....
Passe ton chemin ou bien alors revois le tout......
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance, or broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. -- Mark Twain
Merci beaucoup à doni et universchat pour vos très bon renseignements!! Je vais adapter monvoyage en conséquences.
Il est vrai que je n'arrive pas orcément bien à me rendre compte de" l'immensité des lieux". (Surtout que j'habite en Suisse!)
FabienneCA, alors oui il est vrai que je ne pensais pas, au début de la planification de mon voyage, aller autant de temps dans le désert. Mais à force de lire tous pleins de messages dans les différents forums je me rends compte bien que si je n'y vais pas vais vais vraiment passer à côté de quelques chose de magnifique.
Bon je dois y aller je vous redis dès que j'ai changé un peu mon itinéraire!
Je tiens à dire que je ne suis pas d'accord avec ceux qui te disent que tu restes trop longtemps à Los Angeles ; personnellement, j'aime autant les villes que les parcs et j'ai adoré passer une semaine complète à Los Angeles en avril dernier. Nous avons consacré une journée à Universal Studios et une journée à Disneyland à Anaheim mais le reste de la semaine a été bien occupée, on n'a pas eu le temps de voir tout ce qu'on avait prévu.... c'est une ville tellement immense et étendue 😛
C'est vrai que sur ce forum, il y a beaucoup de gens qui prévilégient les parcs, ce que je respecte et que je comprends complètement car c'est vrai que ce sont des merveilles de la nature.
Tu ne pourras pas que "passer" à Monument Valley car à part voir quelques buttes, les navajos ont bien fait les choses. Il faut avoir passé le "péage" (l'entrée est de 5 dollars si je me souviens bien ou 10 au plus mais j'ai trouvé que ce n'était pas très cher !) pour se trouver au moins sur l'esplanade et voir le plus beau de ce parc. Du reste, comme le dit si bien un camarade forumeur plus haut, tu peux consacrer à ce parc ne serait-ce que 2 heures pour faire le parcours en voiture et te trouver au milieu de tout ça. Ce serait vraiment dommage que tu passes à coté 🤪
Autant tu peux te contenter de voir Zion en passant, autant Bryce canyon, tu ne peux pas ! C'est un parc absolument fabuleux (mon préféré d'ailleurs de tout ceux qu'on a fait : 7 en tout) et tu ne peux pas y consacrer moins d'une demi journée au minimum.
En règle générale, tu ne peux pas passer à coté de ces parcs qui méritent au minimum 1/2 journée, sinon tu as choisi le mauvais endroit pour voyager.....
Les distances dans l'ouest sont en effet immenses et il faut en tenir compte ; tu devras faire plusieurs heures de voiture pour passer d'un endroit à l'autre mais ça en en vaut vraiment la peine🙂 😛 On ne peut pas s'en rendre compte tant qu'on n'a pas vu de nos propres yeux...
Je suis bien d'accord avec les autres ; il est impossible de faire Moab/Arches/Canyonlands/Capitol Reef dans la même journée.....
Tu as bien fait de zapper Death valley car malgré que ce soit un endroit très sympa à visiter, il fait vraiment trop chaud : en avril, il faisait déjà 40 degrés (nous sortions de la voiture juste pour faire des photos et ensuite on retournait vite à la clim) alors en juillet...... 😛😛😛
A toutes fins utiles, je te donne le lien où j'ai toutes mes photos et où tu pourras déjà avoir un aperçu :
Voici l'itinéraire que mon mari et moi même envisageons de parcourir en mai prochain. on est pas en avance (on s'est décidé tard, on espérait partir au japon…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 27 replies
D'abord un grand merci à tous ceux qui écrivent des retours de leurs voyages. Cela m'a beaucoup aidé à préparer les précédents. Aujourd'hui, je cale un peu sur…
Je voulais, et me devais de faire ce petit compte-rendu bien plus tôt, surtout qu’un tel voyage se prépare longtemps à l‘avance, alors pourquoi si tard? Voir…
Nous allons partir avec nos 2 ados (12 et 15 ans) en juillet prochain dans l'ouest américain, c'est pour nous une grande première... J'ai commencé à plancher…
Nous souhaitons faire l'ouest americain cet été pour 4 semaines pourriez vous me dire ce que vous pensez de mon itinéraire en sachant que le but est de…
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!
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?
