Regarding the southwest, what is it that you like to do? I ask because that sort of changes things up a little.

If you like natural spectacles, Southern Utah (IMHO) is the most impressive part of the southwest. I'm guessing other folks would argue this, but I'd take Bryce Canyon over the Grand Canyon all day long, my favorite hike I've ever done is in Zion's National Park, and Canyonlands is arguably more photogenic (and scenically varied) than either of those two.

If you're looking for cultural heritage, Chaco Monument in NW New Mexico is pretty amazing as is Mesa Verde in SW Colorado (although it's a little less interesting now that you're no longer allowed to crawl around on the ancient, fragile buildings). Santa Fe is also a cool town, although, excepting the amazing food, I can't say I'm a big New Mexico proponent overall (although my NM friends assure me that if I lived there three months, I'd never leave).

My favorite thing I ever did in Southern Arizona was take in the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, a mostly outdoor complex that runs you through the history of commercial and military aviation and that is attached to the Davis-Monthan Boneyard Tour of mothballed military airplanes at Davis-Monthan AFB -- but then, I like airplanes :).

If you're in Calabasas and don't necessarily hate Republicans, I hear the Reagan Library is outstanding (and would be nearby). (I've been to the Nixon Library in Orange County and found it pretty worthwhile, even though I'm not a big fan of politicians generally.) Also, if you're not tired of the desert by then, Joshua Tree NP has some interesting variations on the desert theme and might be worth a day on your way into LA.

bkd