1

My first piece of advice - post this on the N. America branch.

2

Alright, what's your second piece of advice?

3

You better hope for some generous people on Xmas and your bday. Probably cost you a few hundred in gas just to get there. Disneyland tix are $100.00 each. The zoo is $42.00 per person. So about half of your wad is gone right there. Plan accordingly.
That said, you want to take highway 1 once you get south of San Francisco. Stop at Venice beach in L.A. for the show on the beach. Wild County Safari Park is better than the zoo IMO.

4

I think this is a great idea and I applaud your grit! You can plan all you want, but I bet your best experiences with just happen because you are traveling the way I think people should travel--without a firm destination or timeline. Yes, Disneyland is very expensive and by the time you get to LA, I think it will pale with your experiences on the road. However, if Disneyland is on your bucket list, by all means splurge.

Cool landmarks...this part of the country is loaded with them. I don't know what route you will be going, but you will probably hit part of the historic Route 66. If you aren't familiar with it, do a little research. This road trip has been a self-realiztion journey for authors, actors and artists since the 1920s and the journey is amazing. I would love to read about it as you go...or better yet after you finish. (don't spend all the time Tweeting, you'll miss things)

Good luck and I am envious.
Oh, try to hit southern Utah and Monument Valley...amazing!

5

You can get to Crater Lake. Maybe. Back? With luck.