California trip from San Francisco to San Diego suggestions?

Hi!! We are planning to stop in SF to see family first for a few days and then drive down to SD for the zoo. We want to spend a day driving and then stay in SD until we return home. I have a 17 year old and 12 year old. We are coming from the east coast.

Where would you suggest we should stop along the way either for a short time to break out the drive or over night?

We want to go to the zoo but why else is a must? We don’t love Disney or Sea World so neither are the list.

Any good hotel recommendations? We definitely want a pool (near the beach is a plus too)!