Thanks for the tips Lifemagician and Donna.

One thing that crossed my mind is that everyone has said that getting out of LA might take a lot longer than I have anticipated. I've taken that to heart, so I have another idea that I'd like to vent.

What if we, on the first day, drive to the outskirts of LA instead of just checking in to a hotel straight away. Then we'd have a shorter trip on the 2nd, right? And if so, where should we go to the first day (Pomona, Ontario, Chino)? I know absolutely nothing about the places east of LA (in the LV direction).

Would that be a good/bad idea?

Also, where would you recommend that we rent the car from?