This is a few days old and the OP probably made it to Cali by now, but thought I'd share my favorite place when driving into Cali.
If you do take 40, there's a little town you should stop at called Ash Fork about 40 miles west of Flagstaff, exit 146. It's an little town with a population of about 500 with a great BBQ joint called Lu Lu's. They have fantastic food and local microbrews. There's a huge dirt lot across the street from it where you can park. Take a 10 or a 34 there, you'll enjoy it.
That's actually my favorite place I've found so far in my adventures of driving OTR around this country. I'd love to go live there.