We recently did a very similar trip (spread out over a longer period of time though) -- on the way down to CA we went through Cranbrook BC down to Spokane, over to Seattle, and then down I-5 to SF. If you want a scenic drive between SF and LA, you'll want to take CA-1 (aka Pacific Coast Highway), not 101. That will take you over to Monterey, Carmel, and then South to Big Sur. We spread out the SF to LA drive over two days, with a visit to Hearst Castle in between.
On the way back (from San Diego), we went I-15 all the way through Las Vegas, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. Lots of stops along the way (including a day trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim).
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