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The Napa area is the most famous winery area, although there is also a nice wine region in Central California in the Paso Robles area.
There is much more to Yosemite than Tioga Pass. In fact, the major attractions aren't along the pass, but in the Yosemite Valley. For more information on both Yosemite and Death Valley, you really should start by looking through the National Parks Website.
I-5 from Los Angeles to San Diego is definitely not as scenic as northern California. I do that route about 8 times a year (sometimes more). Coming south, there is a scenic viewpoint that is worth stopping at. Don't expect to see anything from the one and only rest area, though.
Yosemite - - if you are planning to camp there, be aware that right now one of the campgrounds is closed because of flooding issues (Lower Pine Campground). That shoves a lot of the campers from there into other sites. Get reservations now but have Plan B ready in case it doesn't work. (Cancellations may be available now, otherwise it probably booked up right away.)
BTW - gasoline in San Diego proper IS right around $4 a gallon as of today. You can find $3.77 gallon (regular unleaded), but if you're down in the tourist areas, it's probably $4.
Donna