Santa Barbara to Gilroy---that would lie along the ACA Pacific Coast Route, so that particular route is a no-brainer. Either get the ACA map for that section, or read some of the hundreds of journals for that section on crazyguyonabike.com.

Usually the advice for the Pacific coast is to travel south to avoid the prevailing NW winds, but they are usually weaker in November.

What if you want to blaze an alternate route inland to avoid the cool dampness of the ocean? You can search the net for others that have done that, or just ask here, since many others have toured in that part of California,