I'm thinking Highway 1 might be a good thing to explore this winter. We have been in SF in March and had a great time since we like cool weather. So I'm wondering what your estimate of really bad (cold, slashing wind and rain) vs ok (cloudy, cool, occasional showers) might be based on your experience. I think we would range from Sf to Oxnard. Probably go in Feb. Thanks in advance!
Winter is often the best time weather wise to visit the coast. There is just about no place where the wind blows more than in Washoe Valley, Nevada. Even the great American author, Mark Twain, in his book 'Roughing It' talked about the Washoe Zephyrs, but that was in Washoe Valley Nevada not the California coast. He did add that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. Go in the winter to Bodega Bay and north and the weather is usually very mild. I have camped many times in winter and it has always been good. It can rain but that usually is for a short period. As you now live in Washoe Valley you will need to adjust when getting to the coast to the notion that a gentle afternoon breeze is not a 50 mph wind and it can be perfectly normal for the wind not to blow at all, unlike what it usually does at home.