Taking a trip up the Pacific Coast from LA, suggestions?

[PostShawn]

In a few weeks a friend and I are renting a convertible and headed up the coast from Los Angeles. I wanted to get some suggestions on fun places to visit between Los Angeles and Napa Valley area. I already know the LA area so give some suggestions on what is you favorite above Malibu since that's the furthest I have actually gone since moving here under two years ago. Fun towns with maybe some nice shops, places to eat, a night life, nice scenery, photogenic places of course. As far as photos go I am into a little of everything, scenery, wildlife, coast line, bridges & roads, architecture, etc.
Thanks for any suggestions,
-Shawn

[Wsman2]

I'm assuming you'll be either coming up Highway 1 or 101:

Santa Barbara (http://www.santabarbaraca.com/)
Pismo Beach (http://www.classiccalifornia.com/)
Morro Bay (http://www.morrobay.org/)
Cambria (http://www.cambriachamber.org/) (especially Hearst Castle (http://www.hearstcastle.com/))
Carmel (http://www.carmel-california.com/)
Monterey (http://www.monterey.com/) (the Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17-mile drive is a must, Pebble Beach)
Capitola (http://www.ci.capitola.ca.us/) (take in the colorful houses right on the beach, next to the pier)
Santa Cruz (http://www.santacruz.org/index.shtml) (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (http://www.beachboardwalk.com/), surf museum)
Half Moon Bay (http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/) - if you get a chance to head a little inland from here, maybe take in the Filoli Center (http://www.filoli.org/)
Pacifica (http://www.ci.pacifica.ca.us/)

then you'll basically hit San Francisco - tons of stuff here. Take your pick.

Napa's nice (wine train (http://www.winetrain.com/)), as is neighboring Sonoma County to the coast.

[thomascanty]

Wil pretty much covered everything except Big Sur, one of my favorites.

[PostShawn]

Thanks guys. I will check those places out to see which ones to put on my list of stops.