Oregon to California down HWY 101

Hi we are making last minute plans for a road trip from Portland oregon to central / Southern California. We will have from about 8 days. We will probably go 101 down and I-5 back to portland. It is just my husband and I and our 11 yo son. Looking for hotel referrals and what not to miss. I have gone down 101 from Portland to Cresent city so I know what to expect that far. I just have not been south of Crescent City.

Is is feasible or practical to go all the way to LA on 101? or better to go to S.F and then hit I-5? Ive seen I5 so if there are pretty sights then please advise. Looking for hotels/resorts with special (indoor) or very warm outdoor pools/slides etc. Water Park in San Jose is not open until May :( If we make it to LA area then we might go to Univ Studios so would need suggestions of place to stay there as well.

Welcome thoughts and suggestions.
Happy Day!

US 101 down from Crescent City takes you through Redwoods NP, past many state parks (some of which could be closed soon). At Leggett you have a choice to move over to PCH (CA-1). Parts of 101 are 4 lane, but most of CA-1/PCH is 2 lane.

South of SF, the 101 is also a lot of 4 lane. Once again, though, you could catch the PCH south all the way to San Luis Obispo. It's a 2 day drive from SF to LA along CA-1, but easily done in one day on US101.

One year we went north on US-101 all the way to US 199 (to Grants Pass), and then came home I-5. I can vouch for it as a beautiful drive either way.


Donna