26 days in California - help with planning!

[Fancyashandy]

Flying to San Francisco with husband and two children (12 and 9yrs). Thinking of 3/4 nights San Francisco, 2/3 nights at Yosemite, then down the Pacific Highway stopping off at Carmel and a few places perhaps for a few nights. Need to be in Santa Barbara for around the 12 - 16. Will probably do a theme park/ studio in LA though don't want to spend much time in LA. Thinking of San Diego and want to end with perhaps 3 days in NY before flying back. First time so welcome any ideas or input.

LA is fantastic...but you need to know where to go. Yes Huntington is great and one day a month it is free so find out the day those tickets go up on Internet and book your spots...the Getty is also free and you just pay to park. Disney is fun but busy. A little known trick is you can jump the line by asking if you can single ride a ride...like the roller coasters. You just walk straight on but can not sit next to your friends. Worth it to skip the line. I reckon universal is probably just as fun for teenagers but super busy in peak season. Science centre also free and has the endeavor space ship.....and a big IMAX cinema. That is again a fun half day out .
Sat nav essential for LA.