Hi- myself and up to 3 others are planning a roadtrip from Tennessee to California and back. The "back" part of the trip is taken care of, but the "to" part is causing us some problems. We don't know where to go.
We know we want to ride some of 101 and definitely 1 in Cali, but where should we jump on? Portland, go to Vancouver?

We are not the stop and shop types...We don't care where the best outlet malls are...we want to get the best bang for our buck....and none of us has been to CA before or the West Coast for that matter...

Any help/advice on camping sites, hostels, cool side trips etc. would be HIGHLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Carrie