Where are the best places in the Western US for the novice to stargaze?

I’m looking for a short list of the best places in the West (California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Alaska) for the novice or family to go stargazing. Any ideas? These places should be fairly accessible to the average family and offer facilities or programs for the stargazing beginner/novice. These places can be observatories, national parks, dark but accessible regions, star parties/events, etc.

Second, I’m looking for a longer list of places specifically for California.

Finally, are there any important astronomical events happening in January or February that novices should know about (Mars, meteor shower, etc.)?

Thank you for your ideas!!
Oops – I really enjoy AZ! No slight intended!!

The list is:
(California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii, and Alaska)

You might want to join an astronomy club?

Go step by step to spread out the amazingness more. For example, first go to Griffith Observatory, then go to the Mount Wilson Observatory, then the nearest Channel Island, (then Mount Palomar if they let you) Mount Pinos (the ‘n’ has a tilde), then (if you still feel like it) the northern Black Rock Desert mountains, a few hours inside Baja California, or the anti-Los Angelest, anti-Vegasest corner of the Mojave Desert is the darkest it can get on the planet. 6000ft – 9000ft above sea level is the darkest elevation.

(True, Mars is coming up in winter and Jan 4 has Quadrantids meteors)

Make sure it’s New Moon.