Dave. Can you pls explain the second option >>>>>> or, from Las Vegas drive across Death valley on 190 to 395 and head North towards Mono lake and head West on CA120 over the Sierra Nevada into Yosemite on Tioga pass.
This option will not take you to the coast, but it would take you through 2 spectacular National parks, Death valley and Yosemite NP on route to San Fran. Look at the map and you will see the route and then if there is something in particular you would like explained, please ask here in this thread..

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