bellyfluffer,
I haven't done it by air (so therefore I can only assume it must be superb) but the Pacific Coastal Highway route up to San Fran is brilliant.
Mrs Dakar and I stopped at El Granada / Half Moon Bay and there was a cracking GA airport just across the road from our hotel - could be worth a visit?
Someone mentioned 'Thermal' earlier, I was in there a couple of months ago for some T&Gs and it looks like a nice place. I'd hired the aircraft from Bermuda Dunes Airport (next to Indio) and that's a nice airport too to get in your logbook.
I'm in the US in Feb/Mar but I'm on t'other side - you could always use your 100 hours up flying across to say 'hello'
Enjoy it
