Las Vegas is the show and gambling capital of the USA. World famous and featured in many, many movies. A wide variety of hotels from budget places to top-class resorts.
The Grand Canyon is really grand. When standing on the ridge of the canyon and looking 1 mile (1600m) down to the river Colorado that created all this, you do owe the river a lot of respect. It is possible to walk all the way down and back up in a day, what can be recommended.
Zion National Park is one of the great national parks in Western USA featuring geological wonders, basins, rivers and walking ways.
San Francisco is a favourite city for so many: Americans, Tourists and Homeless. The climate is just perfect for almost anything including growing wine (Napa valley) or computer (Silicon Valley). Tourist will enjoy the local cable train, Alcatraz prison and The Golden Gate bridge.
Monument Valley is a desert with few small, steep rock formations in the shape of monuments. The area is a "classic" and a must-do in the Western USA. Of course it is featured in many movies...
Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous parks in the US. El Capitan, the face of the park, has nothing to do with ships...
The Yellowstone is the oldest National Park in the USA and hosts a wide variety of animal life (incl. bears and buffalo) and vegetation. The natural beauty will make quite an impression. Beneath the Yellowstone there is volcanic activity that causes many hot pools and geysers ("Old Faithful").
Los Angeles (aka. City of Angels) is the 2nd largest city in the USA and has a lot to offer, including great shopping (a la Pretty Woman), Hollywood, Venice Beach and sports (L.A. Lakers).