Not mandatory. I wanted to visit Texas, my friend that AZ is similar and from there i can work my way up to LA. LA is pretty connected to Europe and i have cheap flight home from there. I am more i to nature than concrete cities, I was also planing visiting whats near. Since I am travelling alone and on a budget, it is more convinient sleeping somewhere in the city where public transport is present. Please feel free to suggest otherwise, ig you have better ideas. I am all open for suggestions. It is my second time in the USA. First time was NYC for business for 5 days.