MOA's are no problem. You can get FF in the desert but you will need to be at >8500' for LA Centre to be able to hear and see you. Normally when flying out to Sedona area we don't bother with FF. Its absolutely glorious flying over the high desert not talking to anyone, doing what you want.
Sedona is fine, if you don't land there make sure you have loads of fuel, becasue next stop back which is not at any altitude is Laughlin at 130nm away.
You will probably need an instructor checkout for Catalina, but its worth it, its a great place to visit. Its not that tricky either, I used to be a bit scared of landing there but really there is tons of runway, just don't get low and slow. King Airs regularly land there, so an Archer should have no problem
If I remember rightly, the Chicken Ranch is a fly in brothel?
