[dgreenshield]

We live in Houston...here are my suggestions:

Texas Hill Country
Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels- huge super fun water park! Check out Gruene Hall, Natural bridge caverns, outlet malls ect.
Texas State Fair- Dallas Area
South Padre Island
Houston- space center houston, galveston, museums, parks, Houston Livestock show and rodeo.
San Antonio- Fiesta Tx, Seaworld, Riverwalk, Alamo
There is a place in north tx that has dinosaur tracks (I can't remember the state park name right now) it is good for camping

Oh I forgot! On the way west, check out Buckees! Its a gas station/store/restaurant on the way to San Antonio. They have tons of restrooms and are a Texas must stop location when driving from city to city.

When you cross into Tx from LA, I assume that is the direction you are coming from, stop at the tourism rest stop. They have everything you will need to plan trips in the state.