Going through [or around] LA is where you could see delays and you would want to try and avoid the area during peak times, which could be difficult unless you got a real early start from SF to avoid afternoon rush. You can't get to far South of Monterey on CA1 as things are at the moment, so if you want to see some of the coast it might be best [all things considered] to take 101 and stay around the Cambria area for a night on the way to LA as opposed to a "day trip".