You have lots of great suggestions for your trip. I would however, not skip the Monterey Bay Aquarium http://www.mbayaq.org/ unless you have no interest whatsoever in seeing marine life. I have been there several times and though that it was quite interesting. Hearst Castle (www.hearst-castle.org) is a must see, but as already has been mentioned, do make reservations well in advance, especially during the summer travel season. From the Monterey area I would suggest highway 1 north to 17 north into San Jose. Off of highway 17 just outside of Santa Cruz I would recommend the roaring camp railroad (www.roaringcamp.com) steam train tour through the majestic redwoods. If you have time, a stop a Big Basin Redwoods State PArk is also worthwhile (www.bigbasin.org) In San Jose (www.sanjose.org) the Tech Museum (www.thetech.org) is quite interesting. Other points of interest in the city include the Winchester Mystery House (www.winchestermysteryhouse.com) The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum (www.rosicrucian.org) and the History Museum and Japanese Gardens in Kelley Park (www.historysanjose.org) Downtown San Jose has lots of great restaurants, most notably in San Pedro Square (www.sanpedrosquare.com) as well as numerous nightclubs mostly around the South First Street area.

Have a great trip.