Without abandoning the I-5 there are not too many points of real interest. I-5 goes through Sacramento so maybe a picture of the Capital is in order? Further south you can buy some really fresh almonds in Stockton. Then at Santa Clarita there s always Magic Mountain. Next you re in Los Angeles. From there to San Diego it s just a crowded freeway drive.If you are not pressed for time and want to see really nice scenery cut over to the 101 or the 1 and go through Monterey and see the aquarium. Drive down through Big Sur and take some photos. Visit Hearst Castle in San Simeon.It s all depends on your time allotment. I will say that if the weather is bad do not take Hwy. 1 through Big Sur. Go back to the 5 or the 101.I-5 basically is a boring drive. It was designed to go through areas without impediments like tourist stops and the last 160 miles into San Diego could be a fast moving parking lot.
Beautiful scenery off the 5 on the 101 through eureka and arcata...gotta see it to believe it...