Okay, a friend and I will be going to America in two months to see a friend (I'm form Australia if that matters). I'll be renting a car and driving from LA to Seattle via Las Vegas and Utah and then back to LA down the west coast over the course of a month. What sites/places/things do people suggest I see or do? I'm pretty open minded about things.

You gunna get fat eating all their junk food...

take a gun

riots in Seattle

There's this place in LA, Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles. Forget getting a map of the star's homes, Roscoe's is the place. Really, chicken and waffles? I had to try it. Love it now.

Up in Seattle there's this little coffee shop called Starbucks. I hear some good things about.

In between is a wasteland of undeveloped nature.

You are about to undertake quite a trip! We just drove back from Las Vegas to Nashville, with a detour in Utah to see Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, with a stop in Monument Valley (Arizona) to stand where John Wayne stood. Unforgettable country, makes you realize again that America is amazingly beautiful.

Western Australia reminded us so much of the western US....beautiful beaches, desert mining towns, eucalyptus trees, and great folks.

If you drive through Tonopah, Nevada, on your way North, you'll think you're in Kalgoorlie!

You're right, Deed. Zion National Park is a pretty amazing place. Also, since you'll be en route from Vegas via Utah, be sure to check out Valley Of Fire State Park in Nevada. It's about halfway up the interstate (I-15) towards Zion. A little off the beaten path, but well worth the trip.

Valley of Fire State Park video

Let me know when you're in Los Angeles and want to check out the beach scene. I play out every weekend with a cover band in Manhattan Beach at a bar called Sharks Cove. You can sit in with us.

Check out the Roadside America site, loads of offbeat and cool places to make your trip even more memorable.

1. The Oregon coastline;

2. Ferndale, California. Great historic homes there in this little coastal town in the far north of the state.

3. Mendocino, California. Seaside village filled with artists. Typical weathered storefronts, etc. Lots of visitors there. Some very nice restaurants. Getting there is half the pleasure.

4. San Francisco. Need I say more? Simply put, one of the world's greatest cities. It has everything. World-class dining, top-notch museums, shopping, Golden Gate Park, and, of course, the San Francisco Giants. A trip to AT&T Park to see a Giants game would be a good introduction to American culture for you.

5. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Be sure to check out the headlands at either end of the bridge as it gives spectacular views. The view from the north side back to The City is unparalleled in its view.

6. Monterey, California. The location for Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Cannery Row. A next-level ocean aquarium. Tremendous dining in Monterey.

7. Carmel, California. Just next door to Monterey, another great artists' colony. But, the best part of Carmel is the rugged coastline, the sea lions, and the amazing golf courses.

8. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada. One of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The South Shore offers casinos and world-class entertainment.

9. Yosemite National Park. Only one of world nature's most impressive locations. If possible, try to spend a night or two there and enjoy the Yosemite Valley, or take some hikes. You will need to book ahead, however, so see if you can get some online information about availability of lodging there. Be sure to check out the Ahwahnee Hotel while you are there.

10. San Simeon, California. Along the Central California coast, this is the home to Hearst Castle, which is the former home of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. The residence reflected the incredible Hearst wealth, and what some might consider to be a grand architectural style.

11. The California Missions. In order to gain a true understanding of California's history, you need to delve into the history of the Missions that once were the primary outposts along the length of the state. For a quick primer on the California Missions, check out the California Missions Resource Center (link).

12. Death Valley National Park. The hottest, literally, of all of the National Parks. Since you will be travelling in summer, this may be a place to avoid. The temperatures there can reach insufferable levels. It has the second lowest elevation in the western hemisphere, at 282 feet below sea level. A desert environment in its truest sense.

13. Los Angeles, California. Take a tour at Universal Studios, visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, catch a performance at the Hollywood Bowl (and imagine that Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Duane Eddy, The Beatles, or some other famous musical guest is performing there again), visit Beverly Hills with its fashionable Rodeo Drive stores, hit the beach at Venice Beach near Santa Monica, visit the J. Paul Getty Museum near Malibu, or take a short drive down the freeway to Anaheim to see Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. There is always something to do or see there.

14. San Diego, California. Home of one of the earliest of the California Missions, it is just one big beach city. Visit Balboa Park and its many museums, visit Sea World (home to many of the sea's creatures), visit the world-class San Diego Zoo or its wild animal Safari Park, take a surfing lesson from any one of the surf shops in Mission Beach, or just rent a Segway and cruise up and down the boardwalk there, go body surfing in La Jolla, visit the restored Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego, or visit the Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island. And, if you are feeling really adventurous, travel down across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. Things have gotten kind of rough there in recent years, but it was a city filled with debauchery of virtually any kind. You may want to consider taking a tour there as there is safety in numbers.

Okay, that is just for starters.

I forgot to mention another important one if you are taking the coastal highway down through California. Be certain to keep your eyes open for Big Sur, California. It is down the coast south of Monterey and you will see some pretty amazing coastline there.

You might want to check out http://www.empmuseum.org/in... also look out for cops. They're pretty serious in the states and you'll be driving with out of state plates which is a big red flag for them.

to ric12strings thanks for the trip down memory lane , back in the seventies i lived in SAN DIEGO , i was at the n.a.s.d.s college national association of skin diving schools . san diego was an awsome place then , the sea the american culture , every thing was just great then , some day i will go back .! i love california

In Seattle, you have to visit Pike Place Market. All sorts of food down there and you can't turn a corner without finding a coffee shop in Downtown. You should eat at Ivar's for dinner and have the scallops and chips and a big bowl of chowder. For breakfast Piroschki Piroschki and Top Pot Doughnuts are the bomb! Going south through California, I reccommend taking Highway 1. It's an unforgettable experience. In a tiny town called Marshall, north of Point Reyes, there's a restaurant called "Marshall Store". Possibly the best local oysters you will ever eat.

Great advice as always people, thanks a lot. I'm saving this all on a list of "things to do" during the trip.

"If you drive through Tonopah, Nevada, on your way North, you'll think you're in Kalgoorlie" Kalgoorlie was a surprisingly nice place when I went there. It's not my favourite country town in WA but it's close to the top!

Deed, when were you in Western Aus last? It's been three years since I was there and I can't wait to move back. Love the place!

If you coming through Portland, give me a holler. Great music scene, great food and drink, very bohemian.

Makes ya want to take a road trip, doesn't it?

We were last in West Australia in 1976, yes it's true. Don't dare say, "Oh my I wasn't born yet"...We actually worked in Kalgoorlie. December, so it was really hot. Flew up in a TINY plane, the pilot thought it would be so much fun to give us all a thrill and flew right above the ground, and a whole band of Aussie musicians and one American were totally unnerved...Duane just loved it.

Australia is a pretty magical place.

you must stop in Guitar Center on Sunset Strip in L.A....you have to see the vintage room. Tons of Vintage amps and guitars....it's a wet dream...then go down the street and grab a burger at The Sunset Grill (yes the Eagles Song). Can you say Wet Dream in here???

you just did - twice - ya jackweed