I've ridden most of the way from Ft. Bragg to San Francisco going both north to south and south to north. It is, indeed, beautiful coastline. The main problem with Highway 1 is that it is a route taken by trucks--both lumber and delivery--and has no, none, zippo, zero shoulder. Much of the time, the white line will be on the end of the road (if it hasn't broken off the road entirely). You will constantly be passed by very large vehicles going very fast just inches away from your bike. You will never get used to it but you will become more vigilant. I would highly recommend wearing a mirror so that you can see the trucks coming and either pull off the road or get as far over as possible. Getting forced off the road would result in a long but very quick ride down to the water.
There are many state and national parks on the route that offer cheap sleeping and the towns are often enough so that you are always near a place to eat and get water/supplies.
In addition, the weather is unpredictable and the exposure to the ocean is immediate. Be sure to take rain gear and some warm clothes, especially in the summer when fog is prevalent. In some areas, there isn't any good place to seek cover. On my ride (south) from Gualala to Bodega Bay, I got caught in a hail storm (!) and there wasn't one tree that I could take refuge under. After pedalling a mile or so and wondering how I could consider riding a loaded touring bike in the hail a good time, I managed to crowd under the eave of a bathroom, where I stood shivering for about an hour, watching as the storm blew in over the ocean and trying not to breathe too deeply.
The only big climb between Fort Bragg and San Francisco is just north of Jenner. The rest is mostly just the usual up and down of a coastal road. That said, there is a great deal of up and down and it is something you need to train for, if you can. Also, there are virtually no services in Jenner. The only store is a 7-11 type place that makes sandwiches and sells the usual convenience fare. Don't rely on it if don't have to.
One place I can recommend for camping is Bodega Dunes State Beach, just north of the town of Bodega Bay. The facilities were nice and the campsites secluded from the road. There are several very nice campgrounds near Fort Bragg and Mendocino.
Have a great time!
Ray