Encore motivé cette année pour aller renifler les fumerolles soufrées,
On aurait du y aller l'an dernier mais un bête accident à un peu modifié le trip, je n'aime pas rester sur un echec donc on y retourne pour se faire un avis perso sur yellowstone
Tu as bien intégré qu'à part l'entrée Nord-Nord-Ouest, par Gardiner, il n'y a aucune arche à shooter ?
Naaaaaaaaan ??? Tu déconne ???? On m'aurait menti !!! Le Spartiate et ITAT m'ont juré qu'il y avait des arches !!! 😉😉
Du vert et des troncs calcinés, des températures possiblement négatives, des douches intermittentes..... tu vas supporter ?😉
Les températures négatives OUI tu vois la on a 27 depuis 2 jours et ça me saoule déja !
ce qui limite toute idée de séjour entre Montana et New Mexico.
Et quelque chose de plus court sur la cote Est ??
Je vais donc conserver mon tas de $ intact en vue de 2015.
Hey, y'a 2 solutions pour devenir riche soir gagner plus d'argent soit en dépenser moins !! 😛
Si besoin de radio-guidage sur Denver et alentours, suis dispo.
Merci mais c'est plus sur la fin que je galère ( route entre SFO et LA et hésitation entre le trajet par les montagnes ou la cote ...
Si cela ne tenait qu'à moi, j'irai bien me ressourcer régulièrement ne serait-ce qu'une semaine en toutes saisons. Mais je dois composer avec ma cogérante, que j'ai habituée à des 4 ou 5 semaines et qui ne conçoit pas "si loin" moins longtemps. Et vu qu'on ne trouve toujours pas de fers à repasser pour mimines de taille 10.... je compose.😉
Sûr que CBS me titille toujours, mais il faut savoir céder devant les dépressions. Ne me reste plus qu'à trouver un créneau "ciel bleu ou pommelé" pour un nouvel essai.
Boucle Denver-Denver : la première fois, par pur hasard.
Les autres fois ?
- parce qu'aéroport, loueurs et agglo sont finalement bien positionnés/pratiques ;
- car j'adore ces paysages de hautes plaines qui viennent butter sur les rocheuses ;
- car ma cogérante ne s'est jamais occupé des réservations de vols, ni n'a exprimé le souhait d'atterrir ailleurs ;
- parce qu'il y a encore suffisamment d'opportunités pour y arriver après un vol intérieur en CRJ 700 ou ERJ 145 (tellement plus sympa que les A320 ou B737....) ;
- et surtout, Denver est suffisamment éloigné de tout pour avoir plein de miles supplémentaires à parcourir (et moi, j'aime par dessus tout rouler).
Albuquerque, Dallas, Omaha et Minneapolis ont aussi été régulièrement en balance 😛
je n'aime pas rester sur un échec donc on y retourne pour se faire un avis perso sur yellowstone
1. tu as inscrit Mme au step, afin de travailler le lever de pied ?
2. gros avantage de ce parc (trop forts ces ricains) : les stones y sont peintes en jaune, pour les maladroit(e)s.
3. il faudra tout de même surveiller qu'elle ne trébuche pas devant une piscine d'eau bouillante.😊
Et quelque chose de plus court sur la cote Est ??
...pour voir quoi ? des humains ? tu parles de vacances.....
hésitation entre le trajet par les montagnes ou la cote ...
Tout dépend si au bass pro shop de Denver 😛, vous vous êtes attardés au rayon bikinis-tongs, ou à celui polaires-bonnets.
A Fort Bragg, sur la route principale a travers la ville, je te recommende la North Coast Brewing Company avec poissons tres frais et bieres de tous types (brune, blonde, weiss, etc). Parking gratos, plats a bon prix. Essaie le saumon ou tout autre poisson local (la sole je crois aussi). Le coin est plutot brumeux en ete.
A Muir Beach, sur la route de Point Reyes, je recommende un pub anglais du nom de Pelican Inn. Bieres et plats britanniques au menu pour les amateurs. Ambiance sympa, surtout en automne/ete avec le feu dans la cheminee.
Passe du temps a Point Reyes parce que la route est longue. Je recommende la visite du phare. La marche a pied est dure (ca monte et ca descend) mais la vue en vaut le coup (cout?) et si tu as de la chance, tu verra des baleines.
Pour les huitres, je recommende Hog Island Oyster a Tomales Bay (aussi au bord de la route en BBQ/cash only) et pour du pain tres, tres bon, la Wild Flour Bakery:
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
J’ai un cas de conscience à propos de la fin de mon voyage de septembre … Pour rappel j’arrive à Denver, je monte dans les Badlands, je vais passer quelques jours à Yellowstone puis je file plein ouest jusqu’à la cote Pacifique que je descends jusqu’à LA.
Mon dilemme concerne les 3 jours entre SFO et LA –(je quitte SFO le mardi matin et je suis à Santa Monica le vendredi soir) … vais-je passer par la cote :
SFO / San Simon / Santa Barbara / Santa Monica
Ou bien par les montagnes et les parcs
SFO / John Muir Lodge ( Kings Canyon) / Three Rivers ( Sequoia) / Santa Monica
On m’a déjà donné des tonnes d’arguments pour un ou l’autre iti ce qui fait qu’a la fin ... je ne sais tjs pas ( classique 😉😉😉 ) alors, sachant que je n’ai jamais emprunté la California 1 plus bas que Monterey et que si je suis passé par Yosemite je n’ai jamais été à Sequoia ou Kings Canyon, par ou passeriez vous, vous ? (c’est plus un referendum qu’un question qui appel des réponses argumentés ! )
Difficile de répondre parce qu'on ne peut pas comparer.
D'un côté,
- la côte, que je n'ai pas encore faite
et, de l'autre,
- une forêt de splendides séquoias géants située en altitude que j'ai visitée en partie.
Les séquoias sont majestueux, très hauts et d'une très importante envergure. Pendant les balades, on peut voir facilement des cerfs-mulets, l'un d'entre eux a sauté juste devant nous, mais nous n'avons pas eu le temps de le photographier pendant le saut.
Voilà quelques photos de Sequoia NP ainsi que des paysages sur la route entre Visalia et Sequoia NP, notamment le lac Kaweah au coucher du soleil.
Bcp plus rapide de passer par la cote. Le detour sur Sequoia/Kings sera enorme.
Et l' essence va augmenter.
😎
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
Bcp plus rapide de passer par la cote. Le detour sur Sequoia/Kings sera enorme.
Et l' essence va augmenter.
😎
1/ j'ai un peu de temps même si c'est clair que ça renforce les derniers jours !
2/ J'habite en france donc y'a de la marge pour le prix de l'essence 😉
Merci pour le compliment sur les photos, c'est gentil. Nous étions à Sequoia NP fin-juillet. La température était agréable et il faisait très beau. Nous avons visité ce parc en partant de la ville de Visalia et, en fin de journée, nous sommes retournés à Visalia. Nous avions réservé 2 nuits au motel "Comfort Suites" de Visalia, le petit-déjeuner sous forme de buffet était compris dans le prix de la chambre.
Nous avons commencé par la visite de "Giant Forest Museum" qui est un petit musée qui donne des informations sur les séquoias géants. Ensuite, nous avons visité Sequoia NP en faisant un circuit en voiture et des balades, mais pas de longues randonnées. Nous ne sommes pas allés jusqu'à Kings Canyon NP. Au retour, en direction de Visalia, nous avons aimé le lac Kaweah au coucher du soleil.
C' est ben vrai! L' essence est trop cher en France et pas assez aux USA...
Mais ca augmente quand meme.
Et les amendes aussi. Mais on a pas de radars sur les bords de route. Que des flics en patrouille.
🤪
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
Le mule deer que l'on voit sur la dernière photo ne serait pas venu si près de nous si la chasse n'était pas interdite dans le parc. Quand je viens aux USA, j'apprécie le fait que les animaux ne soient pas craintifs. En France, ils sont tellement chassés qu'on peut difficilement approcher un écureuil, un cervidé ou tout autre animal sans qu'il s'enfuit.
Les chevreuils qui sont dans la forêt près de chez moi sont difficiles à voir alors, on est content de pouvoir admirer la faune si facilement aux USA.
Je reviens encore sur ce dilemme car même si Sequoia Park en Ling's Canyon sont très beau, depuis Crescent City, là ou je rejoint la côte pacifique, je vais en voir un sacré paquet ... et donc j'hésite encore ...
Du côté de San Luis Obispo/Santa Maria, il y a Carrizo Plain NM.
C'est pas Carrizozo, je ne sais pas ce que ça vaut, mais il y a quelques belles photos sur Google. 😉
Je viens d'aller voir, je pense que ca doit être superbe quand c'est en fleurs ... donc au printemps ... SAUF si comme l'an dernier a cause des pluies diluvienne il y a une seconde floraison a l'automne !
A Carizo Plain NM, on va voir le Soda Lake - lac de sel, avec un beau point de vue en hauteur,
on va voir aussi des pétroglyphes curieux (?) et puis et surtout, la faille de San Andrea, la piste passe dedans.
Je n'avais pas tout vu en 2008, suite à un problème d'essence, pas de station à moins de 50km.
J'y retourne cette année.
Bern
USA 2018 - Arizona, chez les indiens... https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=9061068;#9061068
USA 2014 – Là où vous n'aviez pas pensé aller https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6769327;#6769327
USA 2012 "Au long du Rio Grande" https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=5290732;#5290732
Bonjour Jacq de la part de Philippe
je ne sais pas si tu auras 5mm pour qq renseignements
j ai pu voir dans le forum que tu avais une bonne connaissance de cette partie des etats unis
Apres la Californie l année derniere nous avons reservé pour
cheyenne 5 j au rodeo
custer 2 nuits
deadwood 2nuits
cody 1 nuit
yellowstone 2j
grand teton 1j
jackson hole 1j
puis une semaine au canada pour voir les loups et les baleines
si certaines parties sont faciles je n ai pas beaucoup d infos
sur les choses a voir sur la route entre cheyenne et yellowstone
merci de ta reponse
cordialement
Vrai. J' ai vu 3 jeunes bucks au bord de la route a Tahoe. Ils se fichaient completement des autos.
Meme chose avec les oies canadiennes a lake Merritt. Ils sont proteges par les Feds.
😎
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
Je ne sais pas si tu es tjrs dans la réflexion pour la fin du circuit, mais voici ce que je ferais :
vu que tu as quasi 4j , moi je ferais .... les 2 !
La côte jusqu'à Cambria Ma / Me avec remontée sur Three Rivers pour la nuit du mercredi
Je/ve : Sequoia et ou Kings Canyon et descente sur santa monica ve fin d'après (3h20 de route).
Pour info, je ne connais ni la côte ni les 2 parcs, mais c'est ce que j'ai failli faire cet été (la cote jusqu'à Cambria puis Sequoia) mais finalement Yosemite l'a emporté..
Et une dernière réflexion: perso j'adore les paysages de côtes, mais passer presque 4j sur 440 mi me semble un peu excessif (oups, désolée si c'est ce que tu as choisi !)
j'en suis tjs au même point j'ai fais des résas pour les 2 itis et .. je réfléchi ! 😉
Je vais regarder ce que tu proposes sur une carte mais comme ça, je dirais que faire les 2 ca fait chargé ... mais tu as raison, ca fait aussi beaucoup de temps pour ne longer " QUE " la côte, c'est d'ailleurs cet argument qui, dans un premier temps, m'avais fait faire un itinéraire passant par Kings C et Sequoia ...
Je suis en préparation d'un itineraire de roadtrip pour l année prochaine début septembre, et j'aimerais quelques avis sur mon premier projet que voici. J1:…
Comme lors de nos précédents séjours aux USA, vous tous forumeurs, avez été d'une aide précieuse alors, comme je commence à préparer notre voyage pour sept…
Après pas mal d'hésitation, j'ai fini par laissé tombé Vancouver et Seattle pour un prochain voyage afin de me concentrer sur Yellowstone et ses alentours…
Ca fait quelques temps maintenant qu'on essaye de goupiller nos prochaines vacances aux Etats-Unis et il y a tellement de possibilités que c'est un peu dur de…
Mon ami et moi avons prévu de passer un peu plus de 15 jours dans l'ouest américain. Nous ne connaissons absolument pas cette région, nous avons donc essayé…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
Bonjour Patrick,
