We are looking forward to this trip:
Thursday) From SF via Hwy No. 1 to Carmel Beach
to take pictures. Then Point Lobos Park hiking
a trail and making picknick. Eventually looking
a waterfall in Julia Pfeiffer Park. Driving to
San Luis Obispo to the Farmer Market and stay
overnight in the Peach Tree Inn.
Friday) Driving to Santa Monica with stops in Santa Barbara, Solvang and Malibu. Stay 2 nights in Santa Monica in the Bayside Hotel.
Saturday) Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, maybe go to a beach, back to Santa Monica
Sunday) 10.00 am Gospel Brunch in House of Blues..............
We have to arrive in SF on Monday at 9.00 pm.
Any suggestions for the meantime. We love nature!
Thanks in advance.

You do realize the most direct drive between Santa Monica and San Francisco is still over 380 miles (612 km)?! Without traffic snarls, that's a nearly six-hour drive up Interstate 5.

Exhausting. If you're truly going to drive back Monday (sounds like the Bataan Death March to me), I'd spend Sunday on the beach.

Er, you DO realize that Santa Monica is an oceanside city with a world-famous beach, don't you? And that the House of Blues (and its erzatz theme-park Gospel Brunch attraction) is in West Hollywood, 11 miles (18 km) from the Bayside Hotel? And that there are tens of thousands of fun things to do in the greater LA area, including some pretty wonderful nature attractions?

Maybe my question was not exactly enough.
After the Sunday brunch in House of Blues we dont want to go back to Santa Monica.
I would like heading north. One overnight stay is left, so we dont have to make the long drive only on Monday!
By the way we are going from 20th of April to 24th of April. I love spring flowers and have never seen a desert.

Great place to eat in San Luis Obispo is Big Sky Cafe, near the downtown. They serve all meals, have take out and a wine bar. And a fun website: www.bigskycafe.com

In Solvang ask for directions to the back road down to Santa Barbara (I think it's route 154?)...you will enjoy this drive.

I would stay in Santa Barbara all afternoon with maybe dinner by the shore, and head down to Santa Monica no earlier than 7pm because of traffic snarls. On Saturday I would backtrack a bit up to Malibu for hiking or beach, then late afternnon head to the Getty Center for a great city view. Dinner at the Getty (pricey) is by reservation and is a great only-in-LA experience, open Fri and Sat for dinner or everyday for lunch (there is also a less-pricey cafe).
On Sunday I would take in Hollywood etc after Brunch, since it is all in the same direction from your hotel. You might even be able to fit in a drive through Griffith park and a stop in to the L.A. Zoo. Maybe Brunch first...then to zoo/park...then late day to Hollywood Walk of Fame...then dinnertime towards Rodeo Drive-restaurant row.

On another thread it sounds like GabiStephan has now decided to go from LA to Joshua Tree and 29 Palms on the way to San Fransisco, so I'm not sure it's worth continuing comments about the coastal route.

Neopolitan, you are very mindful thanks.
But I like to get more suggestions, can't get enough
Yes, Joshua Tree Park was my idea but if
there is any other good idea I eventually change my plan. Since I love spring flowers (I think JTP has) a poppy-field north of LA, I dont know where exactly, could be another option, if it is worth-

This website keeps track of wildflower reports. It changes week to week.

http://tinyurl.com/3rhmw

I'm with migb on Big Sky. Great breakfasts and lunch. I like Mo's in SLO for BBQ. Although they have good tri tip sandwiches at the Famer's Market.