If you want to focus on northern California, a popular thing to do is split the time between SF and the Monterey Peninsula. Another option would be to split the time between the coast and the mountains - say SF and Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. If you wanted to do SF and Lake Tahoe and minimize driving, you might look into flying into SF and out of Reno. If you enjoy wine, you might want to spend some time up in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. From there, the coast north of SF is very close - you could do a day trip over to Point Reyes or something.

Greetings from Napa Valley. First, the latter part of October is the best time to visit Napa. Harvest has either just finished or is still on. Many wineries allow visitors to get a closer look at what goes on during harvest - keep in mind, that many also require reservations. If you want some ideas of wineries to visit, I'll be glad to help. Two would be sufficient, which would allow time to see the valley, as well as have a meal in either St. Helena or Calistoga.
Calistoga has great mineral springs and most hotels have accomodations for massages, mineral bath treatments, facials, etc. My favorite is Indian Springs. There are more upscale restaurants in St. Helena, ie: pricey; Calistoga is full of fun, moderate to expensive restaurants. Favorites in Calistoga - Wappo Bar and Bistro. There is also the Wappo Taco. Serafornia does a great breakfast. Palisades Market is fun for picnic foods.
St. Helena has many excellent restaurants...Pinot Blanc, TraVigne, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, The Martini House just to name a few. Remember you will more than likely need reservations, especially in St. Helena. Lodging runs the full spectrum in St. Helena. One of the nicest places is the Wine Country Inn. There are also many restaurants in Yountville, about 10 miles south of St. Helena.
Point Reyes would be a beautiful place to see the ocean. There is a lighthouse that is accessible to visitors with a couple hundred steps.
My suggestions for SF would definitely be Fisherman's Wharf even though it is over-the-top touristy but everyone must see it. Shopping in Union Square. Lunch in North Beach at either The Stinking Rose or Rose Pistola. The obvious cable car ride. Pier One now has lots of new cafes open and the walk from Fisherman's Wharf to Pier One is fun. Pier 39 is touristy but there is some amazing "people watching" there.
Hope I was helpful.

ok must rent a car from s/f wales monterway aquariem amd whales wine napa thara all from s/f take 101 cost highway to la a different ochean than bama. tip with car stay out of l/a area take the 10 freeway and if not join aaa much info. ex the spelling aand have fun

If you plan to spend your time in northern California, other than SF you should also make some time to visit Monterey?Carmel, San Jose, and the Napa Valley as well. It all depends on what you want to see and do.

In the Napa Valley I'd advise a day each in Napa and Sonoma. South of SF in the San Jose area, in addition to the city itself, Big Basin is a wonderful place to see the coastal redwoods. In Monterey/Carmel area the aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, Point Lobos, and a drive south along highway 1 to Big Sur are some of the things I would recommend seeing.