Hi everyone,

I'm travelling with my mother this summer in California hoping to have a lovely time and see many sights. We have done roadtrips before but only in Europe.

When doing my research I'm encountering a few confusing things but before I explain those I will lay down our intial plans.

25th July - Fly into LAX, rent a car, explore LA etc.
26th - explore LA
27th - drive to Santa Barbara via the coast
28th - Wedding in Santa Barbra
29th (sunday)- Leave santa Barbara for....
6th August - Evening flight from LAX (preferably back in LA day before)

This is where I encounter some dilemmas. We would like to see the Big Sur, San Fran and Yosemite. Even without the road closures along the coast I wouldn't know what route to take.
We may be very wrong but we thought going from santa Barbarbra to Yosemite on the 29th is the best option becasue then we wouldnt be in Yosemite on the weekend where it is likely to be more expensive. We would then continue from Yosemite to San Fran and then down the coast, which I hear is the better way to do it.
I have a big road map on the way from amazon to decide on our route because I feel that Google maps is not really showing us the most beautiful route.
I know there a HUGE amount of information on the coastal trip but little seems to incorporate Yosemite and little are updated enough on the road closures in Big Sur.
ANY help will immensly appreciated by two lovely overwhelemed Brits.