My two cents worth on the Cali road trip soundtrack:

Flash and the Pan - California
Bran Van 3000 - Drinking in LA
The Lucksmiths - The Chapter in Your Life entitled San Francisco
The Decemberists - either Los Angeles I'm Yours or California One Youth & Beauty Brigade
Randy Newman - I Love LA
Jay Farrar - California
Warren Zevon - Desperados under the Eaves
Tom Petty Free Falling
Joni Mitchell - California
Jane's Addiction - Jane Says