Any Must-See Places in California for My Upcoming Trip?

[AKG]

I'm planning a little trip in April to California and I've been asking around a lot to get suggestions for things to do while I'm there. I figure I should ask here too. My plan is to spend one day driving from San Jose to Santa Cruz, Monterey, Gilroy, and back to San Jose, stopping for meals of course, maybe spend some time at the beach, and ideally do some nice hiking. That night and the day after, I'm visiting San Francisco, and the day after I'll be in Berkeley, but mainly I'll be checking out the school.

Is there anything in these cities I should really make a point to see?
What's good hiking in Santa Cruz/Monterey?
Is there any good hiking in SF itself (I won't have access to a car when I'm in SF, so I can't drive out of the city anywhere)
What's good in terms of SF nightlife on a saturday night?

Any other random tips or suggestion, I'll be more than happy to have them.

 

[berkeman]

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is very worthwhile. It's one of the premier aquariums in the world, and located right on the bay.

http://www.mbayaq.org/

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Hike through the Redwoods
http://www.pelicannetwork.net/santacruzredwoods.html

or play at the Boardwalk
http://www.beachboardwalk.com/

 

[AKG]

Thanks guys. I will visit the Aquarium. I might check out the Redwoods, depending on various factors.

 

[Gokul43201]

Santa Cruz - visit Mystery Spot
Monterey - the aquarium

Since you're driving down highway 1 it might not be a bad idea to extend a little past Monterey and go the Carmel (where the beach is great). Also, if you've got some flexibility in how you get to the City from San Jose, take 280 to highway 1 (through rte 92) and go through Half Moon Bay and also try and stop over at the Moss Beach Distillery.

There's some great hiking in Big Basin and that vicinity - or for that matter, in most of the parks just west of the south bay (near Cupertino).