I would guess you are going to hire a car or motorhome.

Your wish list is pretty similar to my first visit to the western US states many years ago. We flew into Los Angeles where we spent the first couple of nights, on our first day we went to Disneyland then headed south to San Diego,we went across the border to Tijuana for a few hours before returning to California and heading inland to Arizona where we spent around a week or so visiting National Parks, friends and historic sites etc. We drove into Nevada and had a night in Las Vegas before visiting the Grand Canyon we drove through Death Valley to Yosemite where we stayed a few nights before heading for San Francisco. We stayed there for a few days visited Muir Woods to see Giant Redwoods and the lovely little town of Sausalito north of the city across the Golden Gate Bridge. We then headed south down the pacific coast highway calling at the Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey etc before returning to Los Angeles.
Before taking our trip I spent many hours studying a map of the west and planning the journey.We drove a little over 5000miles in the three weeks that we were on holiday. Obviously you don't have to follow my journey but your plans are doable.
We didn't see everything we had planned to see as we realised pretty quickly that we were spending far too much time driving but of all the holidays that I have spent in the USA this one holds the most memories.
I'm not a beach person but you could spend time at the end of the trip if in Los Angeles at Santa Barbara or drive down to San Diego for some relaxing time.

Thanks for that. It seems quite a lot to do (5000 miles in that time). Especially as we have never driven on the opposite side of the road. But those attactions are exactly the things we want to do.
Lots of things to research.

Thanks

We Dont Drive....we booked up a 3 centre holiday with virgin holidays....had 4 nights in San Fran....4 nights Vegas....and finished with 6 nights in LA.....you could hire a car in San fran and drive to carmel and Monterrey and see 17 mile drive for a day if you wish or book up a escorted tour wouldnt see so much that way.they included transfers from the airports to hotels and i have to say we found no faults at all,but if you want to see it all...best to do as advised above...plan well and see what you want to see espically as its something so special...

I would just add one comment re Judith's trip, which sounds wonderful.
I would skip Tijuana, Mx for security concerns.
Have you looked at Collette tours ?

Thanks I will try Collette tours they look quite good although the flights aren't included so seems a bit pricey