Hi Andy,
First, thanks for starting this forum ... I have been one of the "viewers" and guess now I will start to post something

I suggest flying to Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo for a weekend. I went there with my wife a few months ago and we spent the weekend in Morro Bay. It takes about 1:45 from KPAO in a 172. There are a lot of hiking options, and the waters are very calm and a lazy kayaking trip through the bay is very good way to spend the afternoon after a flight.
The FBO (I think we went to San Luis Jet Center) is very nice as well and they bring your rental car to your plane if you call them on the radio after landing -- nice touch.
Hope that gives you a destination to fly to.
- Neeraj