This summer as a part of our round trip we will drive from LA to SF along the coast.

Day 1 leave LA to Santa Barbara
Day 2 Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz (KOA)
Day 3 free to spend in the Monterey area
Day 4 Santa Cruz to SF

Looking for advice where to stop on the way, what we must see and even short hikes, places to have lunch and dinner etc.
All tips are welcome.

Thanks in advance
Wendy

Are you aware that you are going up to Santa Cruz only to go back down to the Monterey Peninsula the next day? Given your limited time, that is a waste, particularly since that stretch of highway one is one of the least scenic.

You don't have much time to stop and do anything. Day 2 from SB to SC will especially be a very long day of driving and you will not be able to stop and see San Simeon or the beaches at Big Sur. Why bother?

Unless you can come up with more time, it would be best to stick to Hwy 101. Hwy 1 can be very slow in summer particularly in the middle of the day.

With your limited time sticking to route 1 all way from LA to SF will not give you much, if any time to sightsee along the way. From San Simeon (Hearst Castle area) to Santa Cruz, will be the most scenic part of route 1. North of Santa Cruz I would skip route 1 and take the more scenic highway 17 then 280 to SF.

Key places to stop along the way:

San Simeon (Hearst Castle)
Various lookout points along Big Sur
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Fisherman's Wharf
Carmel
Hike at Big Basin Redwoods Park
Tech museum in San Jose

The weblink below is an interactive map of the most scenic parts of route 1 as well as some of the major stopping points along the way.

http://www.pelicannetwork.net/big.sur.coast.htm

Also, be sure to make reservations fro Hearst Castle.

Places to eat that I recommend are Nepenthe along Big Sur and Phil's Fishmarket in Moss Landing.

Point Lobos State Park just south of Carmel, especially if you have kids with you.

Thanks Tracy, for the Point Lobos suggestion. How could I have forgotten that.