Road Trip: Suggestions please!

Hey TW-
My fiancé and I are getting ready to take a road trip from Jackson, WY to Portland then heading south down 101. Other than her time in college in Santa Clara, we've never spent much time together in California and are really excited for this trip.
We are taking my truck - outfitted with a Tepui RTT and necessary camping gear, so we're hoping to spend the majority of the nights camped in cool spots.
Any suggestions you guys might have would be greatly appreciated!

As of right now, the trip itinerary takes us:
Day 1: Jackson to Portland
Day 2: Portland to Napa (hotel)
Day 3: Napa to Big Sur
Day 4: Big Sur to Seqouia
Day 5: Sequoia to Yosemite
Day 6: Yosemite to Tahoe
Day 7: Tahoe to SLC
Day 8: SLC to Jackson

We're really looking for beach camping and off-the-beaten-path type campsites and adventures.

Thanks in advance!!

 

subd for myself haha, sorry i don't have spots up in norcal, but hopefully i can get some from this thread

 

Sounds like a good plan, but you've got some long hauls that will take up additional time to explore. We travel with kids, so my perspective may be way different. It's tough this time of year because it gets dark at 5pm. Either have to: A.) head out super early each day, or B.) enjoy the day, head out late, and plan on arriving at camp in the dark.

Beach camping: Usal Beach (some mild off-roading), a few spots north of Fort Bragg, Half Moon Bay (tough to get reservations). I'm sure there's more. There are many coastal campgrounds within a 5 minute walk to the beach and ocean views- not many you can camp on.

I would consider dropping two locations and spending more time in Yosemite and in the coast. Days are short and there's a lot to see.

Lastly, wait until after traffic dies down to head from Napa to Big Sur. It's a gauntlet between there and San Jose.

 

Did you happen to be at Costco today?

 

If you are going through Utah Zion National Park is a must see. Hands down my favorite place in the world.

 

Any place youi find to camp at the beach this time of year, expect a bone chiiing wind. There's a ton of camping all along the coast, most will be closed and are seasonal. When I travel, I always put some hotel time in the budget. Enjoy your trip

 

Thank you guys!
After some consideration and input here and from friends, we've decided to postpone the PCH trip until summer. We're gonna head to Utah for a few days to check out Zion, Moab, and Arches.
Wish us luck!