"I gotta have more green paper with these white guys on it" LOL!!! Awesome man. I've been bouncing around for a while. The more conventional life never felt right for me either(working nights at a warehouse saving for next adventure right now and I'm losing my mind).
Packing light is always a good idea. It takes time to figure out what you need and what you want to have with you though. Although that process I always found fun. Embrace it. If you'll be staying in hotels, not so much to worry about. If not, a 20 degree sleeping bag is recommended(you said hiking...so I'm assuming you have backpacking gear already). Check out freecampsites.net. I also found the Allstays app helpful on my road trips. Yeah man, just depends how you do want to do it.
Being in LA area, you could go check out Slab City. Check out Salvation Mountain, the Salton Sea, East Jesus, the Slabs. It's a pretty crazy place. You'll meet the good and the bad out there. It's a few hours east. It's going to start getting really hot out there soon. October to early March are the best times.
Hope you don't mind the long ass comment. I get really excited when I hear about people taking road trips and I want to throw any knowledge that might help. I wish you the very best! I'm looking forward to seeing what you post.
If you have the funds to spare, a little solar charger might not be a bad idea. The Renogy E.flex is one(I haven't used it myself, but I've been watching the reviews) and there are a lot of other ones on the market.
WOW man thank for all the love and insight! It is very helpful my helpful! Yes ROAD TRIPS is LIFE LOL!!!