Must See's in Utah, Arizona in July

Planning our first road trip for July. Was going to be a 3 week tour via Oregon Trail to Akron, then back via Route 66, but Mother In Laws's illness forcing a much shorter trip.

So current plan is:

San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe to Ely, Nevada
Ely to Bryce Canyon, Utah
Bryce Canyon to Flagstaff, Az
Flagstaff to Apache Junction, Az
Apache Junction to Banning, Ca
Banning to San Francisco

This is our first real road trip ever in the US, so any feedback on distances, routes, extra precautions we need to take given it's July in the Desert would be appreciated. Also any must see's along the way.

Mark and Joy Townsend
2007 29' Double Slide

If you can, avoid I-80 around Donner Pass. The road has been chewed-up by truck tire chains and will shake and rattle your PC terribly. Eastbound is especially bad.

Other than that, enjoy your trip and be safe. There are a lot of crazies out there.

Bob Mahon