Planning my summer trip to U.S.A.

[sanghoku]

So, next summer my friends and I (3-4ppl) are planning to make a 3 week trip to the SW USA.
On the schedule: L.A., Vegas, San Fransisco and the National Parks in between.

Do you guys have any advice, tips, recommendations?

Some questions I already have:
- we're planning on renting a car, driving road-trip style, sleeping in motels and such. Do you have an indication of rental costs? motel prices?
- maybe any of you can supply us with a roof over our heads in some cities/towns that are on the way?
- security: regions we'd better not visit? (gang wars and such

)

any advice and tips are welcome!

thx!

 

[trumpet-205]

Generally speaking, don't go out at night in LA and San Francisco. As for motel price, expect $50 to $70 in LA and San Francisco.