First trip to the US

TrailBeast said
True, but if your going to a new place you might as well see the shittiest part first and get it over with. :D

Seriously though, the hiway 1 drive kicks butt.
I have done it in cars and on motorcycles both from the Oregon coast all the way down to Santa Barbara and it was a blast every time.
Be sure to check out Monterey when you go through.
Cambria is also nice.
Driving the coast line eats up more time that you expect it to though.

We are taking two days for the drive. Monterey and Cambria = check

ocdart said
First, before flying to San Francisco get online and reserve tour tickets for Alcatraz (Alcatraz Tickets & Tours - Visit San Francisco's Famous Prison)
If you're set on driving down Hwy 1 along the coast then I'd definitely recommend the following:
* Hearst Castle in San Simeon (Home - Hearst Castle)
* Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey Bay Aquarium – Official Site)
* Big Sur (Big Sur California, Lodging, Camping Tourism Information

But if you want to see some truly remarkable nature and scenery, I'd drive south another way and visit both Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park. You won't be disappointed.
* Yosemite (Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service))
* Sequoia (Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service))

What dates are you going to be in the Los Angeles/Orange County area?

Thanks! We have booked Alcatraz so far. Thanks for the other suggestions and links. That is just the stuff I'm after! I've seen a lot of documentaries on Yosemite and I really want to experience it. My girlfriend is really set on the Pacific Highway 1 though.

Alaskan_TA said
Be sure to visit Venice Beach. Great people watching (lots of characters of all types) & there are open air cafe's. Roller blades & the like can also be rented if you are so inclined.

Watching the different street artists & various performers is all part of the experience.

Lots of vendors for t-shirts & the like also.

Great place to ditch the shoes & walk barefoot in the surf.

Venice beach = check! Thanks!

diymirage said
just one thing to keep in mind, the US is huge
I have family or friends come over from Europe from time to time, and they look at a map and say "lets drive from Niagara falls to mount Rushmore today"
and they don't realize that even though its only 22 inches on a map, it is 22 hours in a car, because 22 inches on their maps is generally 2 hours

Yeah, I realize that. I've traveled a lot from all the touring. I don't want to spend all my time behind the wheel, and I expect I will be really jetlagged also.