Any suggestions for a first touring ride on the california coast? I want to start up north, sacramento/san fran area and ride the coast as much as possible.

check out "Bicycling the Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide Canada to Mexico". my office mate has used it to plan two tours along the coast (sf-santa barbara, eureka - sf) and loves it. there's great info on routes, including good places to stay, what types of services to expect, and a good sized section at the begining giving some good gereral issues with biking the pacific coast.