It is that. Years ago we did the whole PCH on our Harley's. So glad we made the trip before so many of the areas we visited turned into the cesspools they are now.1/101 is the drive of a lifetime. If nothing else hit the section between SLO and San fran. Hearst castle, Big Sur, Monterey aquarium. Oregon coast is nice too, but be advised the route is pretty slow going.
As for San Fran, I haven't been there in over 15 years but it has always been a city so dirty that you trip and skin your knee and wind up with hepatitis. It has gotten much worse. I would definitely not leave a car with my travel supplies anywhere in the city and express I ally not at the warf. In fact I would advise not driving in the city at all and taking the BART in. There is beauty there but the warf is pretty over rated. Monterey Bay has everything it has and is better and safer.
Sequoia/Kings canyon is pretty cool but a bit off your path and if you are on that side of the state might as well also se.Yosemite about 2 hours north. California has coast and mountains but not both. I recommend Mount Rainer in WA. To me it is more awe inspiring than all three other parks.