J 1 2 3 SAN FRANCISCO
J 4 YOSEMITE NUIT A MERCED
J 5 DEPART VERS LOS ANGELES NUIT
J 6 LOS ANGELES ( je veux vraiment faire les plages!)
J 7 DEPART VERS LAS VEGAS NUIT
J 8 LAS VEGAS NUIT
J 9 GRAND CANYON NUIT DANS LE GD CANYON VILLAGE
J 10 BRYCE CANYON NUIT A KANAB
J 12 LAC POWELL NUIT A PAGE
J 13 MONUMENT VALLEY NUIT A KAYENTA
J 14 ARCHES/CANYONLANDS NUIT A MOAB
J 15 DEPART VERS DENVER
J 16 VISITER UN PEU LA VILLE ET REPRENDRE AVION DE DENVER
Ouf... J'espère que tu aimes la voiture.
Bon, je n'ais pas envie de te décourager, mais juste de te faire prendre conscience que les distances sont longues (pas forcément en Kms, mais plutôt en temps).
Pour exemple, pour faire San Francisco / Yosemite, j'ai fait ce parcours en environ 6H (je me suis juste arrêté dans un KFC). Les routes, bien que bonnes sont longues, longues...............
ce qui signifie que tu n'auras pas beaucoup de temps pour voir yosemite. Juste le temps de prendre quelques photos de cette belle falaise bien connue, de flâner un peu dans la nature, de diner et très vite tu vas repartir.
Los angeles, s'il n'y a qu'un truc à voir pour une journée, c'est peut être la côte vers santa monica et Venice. Les plages sont sympas.
Y a t'il une raison particulière à Denver ?...
Je trouve encore une fois, mais ce n'est que mon avis, que ça fait beaucoup de distance en peu de jours pour vraiment profiter. Tu risque de survoler tout sans vraiment voir ...
denver aucune raison juste reprendre l'avion!
que me conseilles tu? je n'arrive pas à trouver un bon circuit au niveau découverte et un circuit relativement paisible au niveau kms! car meme si je sais que les distances la bas sont grandes je ne voudrais pas passer plus de temps en voiture qu'en vacances!!!
Bien d'accord avec Cast... loue une bonne voiture, car tu vas souffrir pour faire ce circuit?
a quelle epoque pars tu??? les plages c'est a la meme epoque que nous, sur la cote, autrement il faut aller a San Diego, pas a LA......
quel detour tu fais!!!!!
bon, en resume, ce circuit la, ça ne le fait pas vraiment non plus...
Pourquoi une nuit a Merced, et pas DANS yosemite???
Nuit a Las Vegas- grand Canyon-nuit a Grand Canyon village....
tu y vas juste pour l'hotel ou alors pour voir (a defaut de visiter ), le Grand Canyon...
tu ne tiens absolument pas compte du temps de trajet entre les sites... donc meme en partant de Las Vegas le matin, tu n'arriveras que dans le milieu d'apres midi sur place... le temps de poser tes bagages, il te restera une petite heure pour jeter un oeil dans le trou..pour moi, ce n'est meme pas la peine d'y aller, si tu comptes 'visiter' de cette façon.
Le reste ce n'est pas dans l'ordre, ou alors tu as une carte datant d'avant la guerre des etoiles..
J9 J10 - on ne peut pas aller de grand Canyon a Bryce et apres revenir, sur MV, lake powell, ni faire Arches et Canyonlands dans la foulee.... pour moi, c'est du n'importe quoi..
desolee d'etre aussi seche, mais je n'ai pas l'habitude 'd'emballler' les choses..
regarde sur le net, sur les sites de voyage, par exemple, pour te donner une idee de circuit correct (meme si ceux proposes vont trop vite, ils sont au moins dans l'ordre); Muni toi d'une carte routiere correcte, et en meme temps que tu fais ton parcours avec cette carte, regarde sur mapquest.com (ou autre) pour avoir les distances exactes et les temps de trajet. auxquels tu peux rajouter un MINIMUM de 20% pour approcher de la realite...
ah oui ! as tu deja ton billet d'avion?
voili...😏🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂😉😉😏😏😏
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
j'ai la carte routiere des usa de 2004...
je n'ai pas encore acheté mon billet car je pars en 2006
pourquoi éviter les hotels dans les parcs car en surfant sur les sites j'ai remarqué que tu paies nettement moins cher quand tu loges en dehors c'est tout!
j'ai regardé les distance sur maquest mais je vois pas trop comment faire car si tu procèdes différemment tu te rallonges autre part! c'est un vrai calvaire de faire un circuit!
j'aimerais visiter san francisco, los angeles, yosemite, las vegas, grand canyon, bryce canyon, arches, canyonlands et ceci entre 14 et 21 jours!
donnez moi des circuits types que vous avez deja fait ou alors des idées de circuits svp!
Si tu as 21 jours, ça change tout Janny, ce n'est plus 16 jours.
Voici un exemple de circuit que je fais cet été, 22 jours.😎
Arrivée à LA
journée à LA, visite Universal Studios route vers Flagstaff (7h00) journée à Flagstaff, visite de la ville et petit tour vers Sedona visite grand Canyon et on file sur Page (3h10) journée à Page Page vers MV (3h45) puis dodo à Kayenta (ses motels, sa plage) Kayenta Moab (4h00) journée à Moab journée à Moab Là je roule sur Bryce canyon via Capitol reef (5h20) Bryce Canyon à Zion (2h00), nuit à springdale visite et repos à Las Vegas visite et repos à Las Vegas départ vers Death valley (3h00), visite Death Valley et départ vers Lone Pine + nuit (2h40) Lone Pine vers Yosemite (4h30) visite de Yosemite départ vers San Francisco (4h00)
4 jours à San Francisco, Napa Valley, Carmel, le tout avec comme point fixe un hotel sur Nob Hill.
ça te donne une idée.
Un autre ? Voici un copié sur le guide du routard
Las Vegas Arrivée à Las Vegas et départ pour le Grand Canyon : 1 journée de route Grand Canyon du Colorado - 1 jour/2 nuits - Grand Canyon Village, Kolb Studio, Yavapai Observation Station, West Rim Drive à bord d’une navette de minibus, East Rim Drive avec des points de vue comme Yaki Point, Grandview Point Page et le Lac Powell - 1 jour/1 nuit - Powell Memorial Museum Le barrage de Glen Canyon Le lac Powell, deuxième plus grand lac artificiel des Etats-Unis Monument Valley - 1 jour/1 nuit – Monument Valley Museum Navajo National Museum Canyon de Betatakin Village de Keet Seel Excursions en mini-bus ou à cheval Canyon de Chelly - 1 jour/1 nuit – Les ruines des villages anasazis creusés dans des grottes, à même les falaises rocheuses Moab et Arches National Park - 1 jour/1 nuit – A Moab, découverte des lieux de tournage des grands films d’Hollywood Dans le parc d’Arches, près de 2000 arches de pierre, rochers suspendus, falaises rouges vertigineuses Canyonlands National Park - 1 jour/1 nuit – Un résumé des plus grandioses paysages de l’Ouest américain. Trois parties à voir : Island in The Sky, The Needles, et The MazeCapitol Reef National Park - 1 jour/1 nuit – Le parc national possédant les rochers les plus rouges de l’Ouest. Paysage minéral et lunaire, rafraîchi par l’oasis de Fruita Bryce Canyon National Park - 1 jour/1 nuit – Célèbre pour ses hoodoos, des “ cheminées de fée ” à la forme de bougies érodées. Nombreuses randonnées à pied ou à cheval : Bryce Point, Sunrise Point, Queen’s Garden et Navajo trail Zion National Park - 1 jour/1 nuit – Randonnée dans les Narrows Las Vegas - 1 jour/ 1 nuit –
Death Valley (vallée de la Mort) – 1 jour - Borax Museum à Furnace Creek Zabriskie Point Sand Dunes Scotty’s Castle Le village fantôme de Rhyolite Yosemite National Park - 2 jours/2 nuits – Les séquoias géants Cascades de Yosemite Falls Glacier Point Nombreuses randonnées de 3 h, ou 2 jours, ou plus San Francisco - 2 jours – Une des plus fascinantes villes d’Amérique dans un des plus beaux sites maritimes du monde Avion pour Jackson Hole Yellowstone National Park - 3 jours /3 nuits – A 1 h 30 de voiture de Jackson Hole, une des merveilles naturelles d’Amérique ! Après avoir brûlé en grande partie, la forêt repousse dans ce vieux parc américain où les animaux abondent. Ours, wapitis, élans, castors…Voir aussi les fameux geysers (il y en a 300 dans le parc) et notamment l’Old Faithful. Et encore : les sources d’eau chaude, les fumerolles, les mares boueuses, le musée des feu et des Incendies, les terrasses de Mammoth Hot Springs Retour à Jackson Hole : avion pour repartir. Bonne route.
oui ça peut etre galere de construire un circuit..
il faut quans meme que tu dises a quelle epoque tu comptes y aller, car certaines routes ne sont pas ouvertes avant mi juin, voire fin juin comme cette annee.
dormir dans les parcs ne revient pas obligatoirement plus cher que de dormir a 30 kms de la, et tu ne perds pas de temps. Par exemple pour grand Canyon, tu peux reserver a Bright angel Lodge, ça tourne autour de 70/80 $ la nuit, tu es au bord du Canyon et ça, tu ne le feras peut etre pas 2 fois dans ta vie... idem pour yosemite...
regarde les tarifs sur
http://www.xanterra.com
tu as la chance de prevoir ce voyage pour 2006, donc tu auras surement de la place en reservant des que possible pour les endroits critiques au niveau logement, comme Grand Canyon..
Pas de probleme non plus pour te construire un circuit, mais il faut que tu sois precise.. c'est soit 14 jours, soit 21 ou n'importe quel nombre de jours, mais pas de l'approximatif...
une ou 2 journees en plus ou moins peuvent changer pas mal la face des choses😉
Deja, premier truc, pour ne pas te faire galerer, avec les endroits que tu aimerais visiter, il vaut mieux un billet Paris-LA-SFO-Paris (ou le contraire) plutot qu'un retour par Denver.. essaye de le refaire dans ce sens la, et tu verras que ça passe beaucoup plus facilement:
SFO
Yosemite (il faut savoir a quelle epoque tu y vas, car suivant l'enneigement tu ne peux pas obligatoirement aller directement a Death valley par la tioga pass)
death Valley
las vegas,
Zion
Bryce
Arches, canyonland
Monument Valley
Grand canyon
Los angeles
ça, c'est la trame (en tres gros), reste plus qu'a disposer tout cela, dans le nombre de jours que tu passes sur place, en t'aidant de ta carte et des temps de transport..
tu verras que tu peux ajouter des sites a tes premieres idees, juste en regardant sur la carte😉😛
a tes crayons😉😇😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😏😇
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
Juste un petit conseil, ton trajet au départ de LV fais le dans l'autre sens et tu rentres sur LV pour retour avion.
LV
Zion
Bryce
Moab ( Arches et cannyonlands)
MV
Page et Antélopes Canyon
Grand Canyon
LV
C'est un classique et le bon sens même au credit agricole ils le font par là
merci a vous deux! je ne peux donner un nombre de jours exacts car pour le moment rien n'est défini je sais que je veux partir minimum 2 semaines, maxi 3 semaines pas davantage car le budget est quand meme serré!!!😉
Un petit tip: tu peux eviter Yosemite. Vas dans les Alpes en France ou en Italie, et tu as le meme style de vallées que Yosemite, en 1000 fois plus beau et impressionant... En plus y'a vraiment trop de monde dans la vallee de Yosemite, j'ai du faire la queue pare-choc contre pare-choc la bas ! Bref, pas terrible !
Par contre: Arches, Canyonlands et Yellowstone: les plus beaux parcs des USA, et tres peu de monde !
Oui, malheureusement...
Il vaut mieux arriver sur Seattle pour aller sur Yellowstone.
Mais, une fois encore, Yellowstone, c'est LE park a ne pas manquer !
OUBLIE Yellowstone.... ou alors tu refais une autre circuit a partir de Salt Lake city!!!!!...
pour Yellowstone tu peux revenir l'annee d'apres..
je crois que personne ne t'a encore parle du drole de virus qu'on attrape la bas, et qui fait qu'on y retourne encore et encore et encore....😉🙂
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
Seatle???? et Salt Lake c'est pas mieux des fois ? La 89 conduit direct à Jackson Hôle au pied des Grand Téton et au sud de Yellowstone.Il y a des vols également pour Cody encore plus prés et au nord entre le Montana et l'entrée nord il y a également des possibilités de vols.
mais déjà que son parcours est un casse tête (pour elle) il ne faut pas l'embrouiller.Avec tout ça elle à de quoi passer plusieures années de voyages dans l'ouest 😉
Oui bien sur, et si tu depenses 5.000 dollars, tu peux aussi te faire deposer en helicoptere au Grant Village, en plein milieu de Yellowstone.
Clair que c'est mieux que Seattle, mais legerement plus cher et moins interessant... 😎
Bonjour à tous,
Je prépare pour 2006 (fin avril - début mai) un parcours de 15 jours vers l'ouest américain.
Le col de Tioga étant sûrement fermé, je pense que j'éviterai Yosemite selon vos conseils.
Y a t-il un sens habituel ? J'ai l'impression qu'on trouve plus souvent la boucle dans le sens contraire des aiguilles d'une montre (LA -> SF).
Franck.
Je suis nouvelle, j'ai découvert votre forum il y a peu et je me permets donc de demander avis à vous les experts! d'après ce que j'ai pu lire, beaucoup…
J'envisage de faire un circuit dans l'ouest américain (mars/avril 2012 je pense) J'ai déja ciblé ce que je veux faire et établi mon circuit. Le voici: Denver -…
Ca y est nous avons finalisé notre semaine, départ le 10/04/10 retour le 17/04/2010. 2 adultes, 2 ados de 12 et 16 ans. Arrivée Miami le 10/04 à 20H35: Nuit à…
Avec l’aide des nombreux échanges sur ce forum, j’ai concocté un circuit de 3 semaines dans les grands parcs. Comme toujours, c’est un compromis (la liste des…
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?
