A bit biased as I have driven much of 101 probably 100 times. Drop dead beautiful areas in Nor Cal and north to WA. Not sure you can do it justice in one week. This is over 800 miles just in Calif and you will eat up time going through the urban areas near SF and SoCal. Some wonderful areas in central coast between these but in one week I would spend it from north of SF and on up into WA.
Ferndale, near Eureka is great as are the giant Redwoods and Fern park area with elk. As noted the Somoa cookhouse is a treat. I have never had a bad meal there and for years I had family living in that area. (
http://www.samoacookhouse.net/ &
https://www.yelp.com/biz/samoa-cookhouse-samoa.) Open 7 days a week from 7 am to 9pm and you won't leave hungry. You won't be eating alone either. The coastal area of OR is also wonderful and wild. This part of the west coast will give you a better perspective than just what we know and read of the crowded city areas. Most of Calif, OR, WA are wilderness and farmland. Just the massive number of people living condensed in their enclaves that seem out of place to me.
Whatever you decide, I expect you will enjoy the trip and the experience!
