Des problemes routiers en Californie grace au mauvais temps. La route 1 est fermee au sud de Carmel a cause d'une chute du terrain. Pour regarder une photo:
Et pour l'instant, toutes les routes a Yosemite (meme de l'ouest) sont fermees a cause de neige, et le parc n'a pas d'electricite non plus. Le website du parc a le suivant:
Date: March 22, 2011 All roads into Yosemite National Park remain closed due to a severe winter storm on March 19 through March 20. Yosemite Valley received over three feet of snow and all power is out within the park and surrounding areas. There is no anticipated date or time for roads to reopen and power to be stored.
Et la pluie et la neige continue cette semaine en Californie. A mon avis, c'est presque certain que Tioga Pass ne sera pas ouvert avant juin cette annee.
Je crois que Yosemite sera accessible dans quelques jours. Mais la fermeture de la route au sud de Carmel durera plus que ca, probablement. On a des problemes comme celui-ci assez souvent en hiver en Californie quand une abondance de pluie arrive.
Merci à toi! Décidément quel hiver rude et qui n'en finit pas chez vous!
L'ouverture de la Tioga Pass sera très tardive cette année! 😕 Espérons quand même que ce sera bon pour le 18 juin! Sinon tant pis, on sera quitte pour un petit détour!
Je suis actuellement à South Lake Tahoé, le temps est épouvantable.Il y a eu aujourd'hui une tempete de neige toute la journée. La circulation est difficile et les chaines sont obligatoires.
Cette année, la neige est très abondante et il fait 38° F
La tempete à eu lieu sur tout la Sierra Nevada.Les routes vers Yosémite sont fermées /Le Tioga devrait ouvrir tard cette année compte tenu de l"épaisseur de neige .
Je prépare notre voyage pour l'ouest américain pour la mi-mai... je ne pensais que je pourrais y voir encore de la neige 😕 Nous ferons la route 1 de Los Angeles jusqu'à San Francisco et de là le Yosemite.
Je dois m'attendre à quelle température de la mi-mai à la mi-juin ? nous sommes en moto !
Merci ...c'est génial de nous informer, on part de loin (du Québec, Canada)
La temperature ou? A Yosemite, c'est tres variable selon l'altitude, bien sur. Ailleurs en Californie, c'est tres variable aussi. Dans la region de la baie de SF, le meteo en ete est bizarre. Tout depends si on est pres de la cote, pres de la baie, dans une zone de brume, etc.
Je demandais la température comme dans le Big Sur, (près de la côte et de la baie) nous ferons la route 1 Los Angeles à San Francisco avec arrêt à plusieurs endroits.
A San Francisco... nous irons une journée ou deux à Yosemite... si possible on regardera pour coucher dans le parc...c'est là ma question de la température, nous sommes en moto, si c'est trop tôt en saison et que nous risquons de voir de la neige, on louera une voiture à San Francisco pour explorer ce parc.
Tu verras que c'est variable a Big Sur et partout en Californie aux environs de la mer. Ca depend selon la brume. En mai, normalement tres peu de brume, je crois. Il ne fait jamais tres chaud pres de la cote, mais ca change rapidement a l'interieur. Donc a Morro Bay, peut-etre 18 dans l'apres-midi. A San Luis Obispo, 24. Mais a Paso Robles, 32. Tous les 3 sont tout pres. Lorsque je suis alle de SF a LA a velo en juillet, parfois je portais un t-shirt, parfoit un manteau leger. J'ai du l'enlever souvent s'il y avait du soleil ou la brume. Je n'exagere pas.
Quant a Yosemite, aucun probleme pour les routes jusqu'a Yosemite Valley. Mais avec toute la neige cet hiver, probablement il y aura encore de la neige a Mariposa Grove (1800m). J'y etais moi-meme en mai et c'etait comme ca. Donc difficile pour une randonnee a pied. Mais les chutes d'eau seront absolument magnifiques!
Des températures comme tu mentionnes nous sommes confortables avec ça.... même en moto, nous avons les habillements pour. L'an dernier dans les rocheuses, nous avons roulé à des 5 C.... pas chaud mais dans des décors tellement époustoufflant, qu'on oublie qu'il fait froid.
Pour Yosemite, on verra sur place, nous louerons probablement une voiture de San Francisco pour s'y rendre.... il nous restera à trouver un dealer Harley Davidson pour entreposer la moto quelques jours..
En gros il demande si il y'a un itineraire de substitution qui est signaler et si il faut faire un detour important pour rattraper la route 1 apres l'eboulement.
Non je ne vois pas de route alternative dans le Big Sure, sauf:
A Morro Bay, il y a la route 41 qui nous ramène sur la route 101 et cela semble la dernière route pour prendre ce détour, la prochaine route est à Carmel, mais si tout se passe entre San Simeon et Carmel , il faudra rebrousser chemin...il y a probablement de petites routes dans les montagnes, mais ne les connaissant pas et étant en moto, je ne m'y avanturerais pas.
Je vais me rendre jusqu'à San Simeon et de là, contacter Transport CA pour connaître l'état de la route avant de m'aventurer....et si des dommages, alors je rebrousse chemin pour faire 45 km pour rejoindre la route 41 pour me rendre sur la route 101.
Je trouverais cela dommage de devoir manquer Big Sure qui de San Simeon à Carmel représente que 146 km... mais bon, on ne peut rien contre nature.
Seb j'ai reçu ce courriel ce matin 😕 mais faut dire que l'alerte date du 16 mars... et on me l'avait déjà mis sur ce forum... je le retransmets..
Un glissement de terrain a entrainé la fermeture d'une section de la route panoramique de Big Sur en Californie.
Important Alert:
On 3/16/2011 we experienced a landslide that dropped a 100 ft section of highway 1 into the ocean. The slide occured just south of Rocky Creek Bridge at approximately Monterey County mile marker 60.8. The road closure is in effect from Palo Colorado Road from the north to Bixby Bridge from the south. Emergency repairs are underway, and an estimated re-opening for one lane of traffic is the end of April. This estimate may change. Be advised, once open, this one lane emergency repair will have a strict weight restriction of 5 tons, limiting almost all RVs and an additional possible length limit which will limit most, if not all, trailers. A permanent fix to highway 1 is predicted to be at least a year or more to completion. There have also been several landslides to the south which have resulted in unstable areas. The only practical ingress to the area is now highway 1 from Cambria. Those coming from the north will need to drive Hwy 101 south, then Hwy 46 west, then highway 1 north. This detour is significant and will increase the drive time by 3 or more hours. Use caution- road hazards may exist.
Tours to the Pt. Sur Light Station and Historic Park are cancelled until the emergency repair to Highway 1 north is complete and re-opened.
Est ce que quelqu'un a donc des nouvelles par rapport à la highway 1 ? Peut on la prendre ou pas encore? sinon est ce que les détours sont corrects? nous partons dans 2 semaines...
Merci aquilegia...cette information est très pertinente pour nous présentement, car on se dirige vers la route 1.
Nous avons débuté notre roadtrip USA depuis le 5 mai dernier, nous sommes présentement a San Antonio pour trois jours...je vais suivre l'info pour la route, nous trouverions dommage de devoir prendre la route alternative car la Baie de Monterey semble le plus beau secteur de cette route..
Si vous aviez d'autres infos ou une bonne nouvelle concernant cette route, nous apprecierons le savoir.
mauvaise nouvelle: Il neige en ce moment (15 mai) à Yosemite, un evenement assez rare en mi-mai.
You ouh!!!! 😎
Autrement dit, à moins d'une canicule bien improbable d'ici à mi-juin, la Tioga Pass ne sera jamais ouverte le 18 😛.
Bon, plans B et C et D pour la route à prendre pour rejoindre Lake Tahoe. Ça encore, c'est pas trop grave. Mais pour les balades qui étaient prévues le long de cette route, ça l'est plus 😕
Bonjour,
je pars bientôt aux USA et je devrais être à Yosemite Park les 1er et 2 juin... j'ai pris un hôtel à l'ouest du parc, mais j'ai bien peur d'avoir les pieds dans la neige !😕
Est-ce que vous pensez qu'on peut quand même profiter du parc quand il a neigé ? Je ne sais pas si j'ai le temps de changer de plan...
Merci 1000 fois d'avance pour vos conseils !
Hmmm à propos j'ai une autre question: s'il y a tant de neige, est-ce intéressant si on n'est pas équipé (comme c'est le cas pour nous😛) de pics, piolets et autres ustensiles de profesionels ?
Autre question: y a-t-il des sites intéressants entre San Francisco et Yosemite Park ? Est-ce que Fresno vaut le détour par exemple ?
Hmmm à propos j'ai une autre question: s'il y a tant de neige, est-ce intéressant si on n'est pas équipé (comme c'est le cas pour nous😛) de pics, piolets et autres ustensiles de profesionels ?
Autre question: y a-t-il des sites intéressants entre San Francisco et Yosemite Park ? Est-ce que Fresno vaut le détour par exemple ?
Merci encore !
Non mais ne t'en fais pas 😎. Le seul problème réside dans la Tioga Pass. Pour les autres routes elles sont dégagées et je doute qu'il y ait 1m de neige dans Yosemite Valley le 1er juin 😏. Par contre si tu as prévu de rallier Death Valley à Yosemite il te faudra du coup faire un détour en contournant la Sierra Nevada par le Nord ou par le Sud.
merci beaucoup !
je crois quand même qu'on va annuler une nuit sur les deux car du coup on va prendre du retard sur le trajet Death Valley --> Yosemite 😕
Waaa, bon je ne sais pas trop comment on va faire. La 88 est ouverte quoi qu'il arrive, mais ils disent qu'il faut des chaines ou pneus neiges sur dot.ca...
J'espère que ça va arreter quand même ! Dans 2 semaines on sera sur la route ! Je suis un peu en stress là ! Mais bon ce sera comme ça !
Si des gens sont là bas, est ce que vous en savez un peu plus???
Road update: Due to the recent winter storms in the area, the road between Sequoia and Kings Canyon is currently closed. You can still reach Sequoia via the southern entrance on Highway 198, however 4 wheel drive or snow chains are currently being required approximately 13 miles inside the park entrance
Merci Aquilegia pour ce site météo : pas mal du tout.
Je n'en dirais pas autant de la météo qui est incroyablement pourrie!
Egoïstement je dirais que ça nous promet peut-être de beaux paysages pour juillet/août avec sans doute encore pas mal de neige sur les sommets, SI on les voit!
Je compatis pour Ninou et son Grand!
Marie
Update 19 mai: Sur Tioga Road la hauteur de neige est de 3m35. Malgré les récentes chutes de neige (45cm supplémentaires), les engins de déneigement en sont au niveau de Porcupine Flat. Le déneigement du côté de Lee Vining a également commencé.
Le déneigement se fait petit à petit (0.4 miles supplémentaires en un jour).
Ils espèrent que Tioga Road pourra ouvrir à la mi-juin, voire fin juin!
Pas de date d'ouverture prévue pour Tioga. Au niveau du déneigement ils en sont autour de Olmsted Point. 3.8 miles supplémentaires ont été déneigés depuis le 20 mai
Bonne nouvelle pour Sonora pass qui vient d'ouvrir !
Maintenant, pour Big Sur, j'aimerais savoir si quelqu'un peut m'expliquer si il sait quelle partie de Big Sur est fermée exactement?
Est ce qu'on peut prendre la Highway 1 (par le sud), et contourner par Nacimiento Fergusson Road pour rejoindre Monterey? ou je me trompe complètement?
Salut à tous, j'ai voulu faire avant hier Monterey - Cambria et la route est toujours fermée, j'ai fait demi-tour à Big Sur. Dans le doute je n'ai pas pris le risque de descendre jusqu'à la route qui passe dans la montagne, ne sachant pas si elle était pratiquable. Attention aussi à la route 3 Rivers - Sequoia Park. Il y a des travaux et la circulation est alternée 20 min dans un sens, 20 min dans l'autre. Donc faut pas être pressé. Il y a de gros travaux de soutennement sur 4 ou 5 kms.
La Highway 1 est fermée en dessous de Gorda, la route Nacimiento Fergusson est utilisable entre la 1 et la 101.
Le site de cet hôtel le confirme : http://www.treebonesresort.com/
2 juin : nos infos sur les routes vers Yosemite park en venant de death valley
Tioga pass : fermée
Sonora (120) : fermée
88 ( vers jackson, puis direction Yosemite) : ouverte!!! Pas de neige sur la route ; 5,5 heures de route
50 ( vers placerville):ouverte, 7h
Après visite de bodie, nous avons pris la 88. Faites un arrêt a Columbia si vous avez 5 min pour vous degourdir les jambes!
Aucune idée. Mon message était les infos au jeudi 2, qd nous étions sur le départ de Lee vining pour le Yosemite..
La 88 était fermée encore le 2 juin à10h et nous avons pu la prendre vers 13h-14h. Nous en avons profite pour visiter bodie la matinée.
Il Y a un numéro de tel pour les infos trafic ds le guide du routard section Yosemite park. Je suis à SF donc je peux plus t aider et il est 3h du mat ( j ai du wifi, internet est chronophagz!) bonne journee
2 juin : nos infos sur les routes vers Yosemite park en venant de death valley
Tioga pass : fermée
Sonora (120) : fermée
88 ( vers jackson, puis direction Yosemite) : ouverte!!! Pas de neige sur la route ; 5,5 heures de route
50 ( vers placerville):ouverte, 7h
Après visite de bodie, nous avons pris la 88. Faites un arrêt a Columbia si vous avez 5 min pour vous degourdir les jambes!
Pour la route, la 120 = Tioga pass, au dessus il y a la 108 (Sonora pass), ensuite la 4, puis la 88 !
Nous sommes à Mariposa, le temps est vraiment pluvieux... Nous allons à Yosemite demain, et après demain direction Mono Lake (en passant par Bodie).
J'espère que la 108 ou au moins la 4 seront ouverte !!!
Après avoir cliqué sur envoi, j avais vu la boulette (mais il était 3h du mat) : 108 et non 120 (mais j avais précisé sonora ;-))
La 4 était fermée aussi le 2 juin.
Pour le temps, nickel le 3 juin au Yosemite, j espère que cela sera le cas pour vous et que la route 108 sera ouverte ou la 4...
- nous partons avec ma femme et ma fille de 23 mois du 9 au 23 mars en floride donc voila mon programme. (qu en pensez vous, avez vous des suggestions) - du 9…
Pars en floride du 9 au 23 mars avec ma femme et ma fille de 23 mois. -nous avons loué un ford escape our les 15 jours de notre périple. -du 9 au 13 mars nous…
Je souhaiterai avoir des avis sur la petite semaine en Californie que je me prevoie pour le mois de Mars. Je suis actuellement aux Etats Unis (dans un coin…
L'un de mes rêves était de partir 10 jours à New York pour voir entre autre les sports US. Mes billets d'avions sonts pris, hotel aussi... il ne me manque plus…
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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!
