Well I survived northern California, but it was the toughest riding I've ever done, 500 miles and 37,000 feet of climbing in 7 days. I don't know which was more aggravated - my legs or my butt. We did in fact make it to the coast to spend some time on Hwy 101, not necessarily pleasant time. Some of the roads had more high speed traffic than I wanted to encounter. One dude inexpertly pulling a humongous camping trailer almost wiped out several of us.
The daily temp variation was amazing. One day started close to 40 and finished in the 90's. I started out wearing all the clothes I had brought and did a 70 mile striptease as the heat increased, not a very sexy performance I'm sure. I'm sorry to say I have no photos as my concentration was consumed by struggling up the hills. Too bad as there was some strikingly beautiful scenery, even a sighting of Bigfoot.
The best thing is that the people were friendly everywhere we went, as well as were the folks I accompanied on the trip. I'd ridden with some of them before in Europe, and it was terrific renewing old friendships.
My wife came out for a week after the tour for some easy touristing. We hit the Tahoe area, Virginia City, Reno, and Sacramento. California may be bankrupt, but the grounds of its capitol in Sacramento remain immaculate.