Yeah, that early in the game you don't have a lot of choice. The Leviathan is great for levelling up but horrible for gil and you don't have access to it after you defeat Ghis. The Giza Plains, Estersand and Westersand are a bit tedious but he could try to go southwest on the westersand (west of the werewolves) for some sleipnir and other bigger foes, but he would have to walk around a lot.

That stretch of Lhusu mines is the best: short and sweet, making you level up and get gil quickly