The bridges in the Bay Area only collect tolls in one direction. The Golden Gate Bridge collects tolls going into San Francisco, as does the Bay Bridge.
Thus leading San Francisco's beloved columnist and pundit, Herb Caen (RIP, Herb), to state that San Francisco is the only city with a cover charge.
OP, I've only skimmed the responses, but I see one suggestion for going down to
Point Lobos, then backtracking to take CA 68 to Salinas and down US101. That's not a bad route, and you're really not backtracking very far at all. So, if you're concerned with time, it's a good idea. Two caveats -- you'll really want to spend a couple of hours in Point Lobos; you can't take it in with a 10 minute stop. And if you're going on a weekend, beware that it gets very busy. Once they fill their parking spaces (quickly, on a weekend), they hold incoming cars and let through one incoming for each outgoing car. On weekdays you shouldn't have a problem. On weekends, DW and I will put the bicycles on the back of the car, park on Highway 1 just outside the gate, and bicycle in.
OTOH, coastal Highway 1 really is a road trip that shouldn't be missed! One of the most spectacular in the world! I wouldn't let comments about curvy roads or getting behind RVs discourage you. The road is so scenic that you won't
want to travel faster than those RVs, or you'd miss the scenery. That, and you'll want to stop at so many pullouts that you won't be following the same vehicles for very long anyway.
If you do take Highway 1, my favorite spot to stop for lunch is
Nepenthe's. It's very pricey, but the views from their observation deck are some of the best you'll find anywhere in the world. Alternatively, you can stop for lunch at the
Big Sur Inn and sit
in the Little Sur River while soaking your feet in the cool water. Or for an even lower-cost alternative, there's a deli right next to Big Sur Inn where you can get sandwiches and soft drinks, and you can have a picnic on the side of the road. Still, if you can afford it, I'd splurge for Nepenthe's.
HTH,
Bob