you are doing exactly the right trip. driving, i assume? we've got plenty of locals, but shoot me a pm if you want tourist advice; i've done the pacific coast drive many times, and many more in my dreams. also, i'll be in baja around that time, so if you decide you haven't had enough coast and just keeping going south, let me know.
I... I was not originally going to consider driving, but the more I look at the map the more drive-y it looks. It's been a while, but I can always go on a trip in my sister's car to get back into the swing of things. Baja California sounds awesome but I've already booked the flights back from SFO and my friend needs to be back in the UK to start university... I'm sure I'll return to this part of the world at some point (not going to have time to see LA either).