It is a nice place to ride weather wise, I personally don't enjoy the packed freeways for riding. Though unlike NC (which may be true in VA) you can "cut" or "split" traffic. That is, you can ride between cars. As a general rule, I try not to do that in CA myself because some people on the freeways are straight up morons, but you can do it. In a bumper to bumper traffic situation, I admit it is nice to be able to do it. I tend to worry too much though. Plus, I'm not a commuter rider so I generally stay off freeways if I can. If it were me, I would likely rent one for a day just to ride there since this is your first time.
That said, if you can get to some breweries I would do that. First up, Stone, then Pizza Port, Green Flash, Ballast Point (if you get grapefruit sculpin I would beg you for a trade), Lost Abbey, Mission, and Alesmith. I would hit those up, I would bring money...lots of money...and I would then head over to Bev Mo (Beverages and More) to see what beers they have on the shelf. There are likely other bottle shops there now, I haven't been there since moving to NC, but those are the breweries I would definitely try to hit. Out slightly further is Alpine Brewing, it's off the 8 freeway, if I recall, and they were just acquired by Green Flash. There was some talk on a group I am in that AmBev or something like that will acquire Green Flash and the acquisition of Alpine has something to do with that. I am not sure that is true.
I would hit up the Gas Lamp District and of course just enjoy the weather. I am in CA each Christmas and I enjoy my shorts and t-shirts on Christmas day.
