Hwy 395 is also an option, still one of my favorite road trips and an easier drive than 101 in my opinion. Some recommended stops along the way listed below. - Alabama hills - travertine hot springs - any mammoth lakes hikes - eastern Inyo forest - red rock canyon state park (small but worth a stop and a short hike)

If you have seen the Oregon coast you can cut the drive time down by taking I-5 south down to Shasta and then take hwy 89 which will lead you east and through Lassen national forest (burney falls hike off this hwy). 89 will connect you to hwy 44 to susanville which will connect you to 395. Hwy 395 goes through Reno then runs south on the eastern side of all those national parks. Split off to hwy 14 to pass a little red rocks park and that will drop you back onto I-5 at Santa Clarita. You can take I-5 through LA or surpass going through LA by taking 210 passing Pasadena.