west coast vacation questions

[Blu Du]

we are taking a family road trip from Mn to see the redwood's. we are going around march 5th and probably head straight to the coast and then south. what are some see must destinations in the state, mainly on the coast line? how about snow in some of the passes? we will be driving a front wheel drive ford edge with snow tires and don't want to get into trouble following some computerized trip planner that takes me of a 12,000' peak because it was the shortest route and we get stuck in 5' of snow, run out of gas after 5 days and have to burn the car, and then we all freeze to death while we walk for help in swim suits and flip flops and think fawk we should of just went to flordia again. also how much is there to see on the coast? we have 9 days and we figure 4 at the most for travel there and home which leaves us 5 days on the coast. so just wondering if we go down the coast and then back track home after 7 days or leave alittle early and head east from north cali to death valley vegas moab and home?
any in put is appreciated

 

[turbolover]

Sorry just saw this was in the Washington section.
Pikes street fish market in Seattle, the gum wall and then take the ferry across the water and the drive back was pretty nice.
Astoria Oregon is pretty cool and just south of there in warren to seaside you can drive right on the beach. Has road signs and everything.
Hit Muir woods just outside of San Francisco then take the FAM to see the cable cars and get some clam chowder from the bowdieens (sp) bread factory by pier 39. Check that out to.
Head south to Santa Cruz and Monterey.
If you take highway 1 or 101 can't remember it follows right along the coast.
Those are some suggestions for ya.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk