This might be a little too late but here it goes. If you are coming from LA take the 101 along the coast and then take a detour on the 146 to Lake Cachuma. It has an excellent view if you are going south on it. You get the city view down the valley with the ocean just beyond with the sun setting. then turn out to Solvang and see the windmill buildings with some Danish cookies.
Then hop back on the 101 and next stop is San Luis Obispo. Stop off at Pismo Beach for what they claim to be the world's best clam chowder at Splash Cafe then head over to See Canyon to the apple farm and winery. Montana de Ore is nice too. Then head on over to SLO and go into town to one of the few drive in theater around and visit my alma marter, Cal Poly. If you are going to be staying in the area the melodrama is an interesting show in Oceno and go strawberry picking if you are there in the right season in Santa Maria. Or see the butterflies in Pismo Beach.
Then go up HWY 1 to Cayucos for the best smoked fish taco at Raddell's and enjoy the beach. Then next stop would be Hearst Castle. On the way up, if you are lucky, you can see elephant seals. After the little adventure at Hearst castle you can either trek back down HWY 1 to HWY 46 thru the central coast wineries to bring you back to the 101 or go thru Big Sur up to Monterey.
Driving thru Big Sur makes you apprieciate nature as you realize what you are see is actually real life and not just pictures. Then as you make it up to Carmel, swing by Carmel-by-the-Sea and see all the unique houses with names instead of house numbers and visit the boat house by Wright or the glass house further in the city. Monterey in itself is another adventure and and the wineries there. Dont forget to admire the Bixby bridge as you drive on it on your way up to Monterey.
Next, I would continouse up Santa Cruz and visit the broad walk and the Mystery Spot.
Then next stop would be the city already and I would say San Jose is pretty much like LA so nothing super special. And everything else up there is the city until you get to Santa Rosa and the Snoopy Museum.