I'm from Ireland and I'm going for a 2 week driving vacation to America at the end of May. Myself and my girlfriend are flying to LA and renting a car from there. Our route will be something like this:

LA - Palm Springs - Phoenix - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas - Death Valley - Yosemite - San Francisco - Monterey - Santa Barbara - LA

I was wondering if any of you (being mostly American) have any ideas of particular places to see, things to do, places to stay etc, along this general route, that maybe I haven't thought of?

I can't wait for my trip and want to make sure that I make the most of it.

Thanks!!