I'm planning my longest XC yet, from Hawthorne CA to (most likely) Hayward
Executive up by San Francisco. This will be a day VFR flight in a C172SP
in mid to late April. I'm pretty close to getting my instrument rating and
have 120 hours.

I'd like to get opinions on the route. The two choices I see are--

1. Head inland, Tejon Pass (Gorman), then Avenal VOR to Priest to Hayward.
It's the most direct but airports are few and far between in case of
trouble. Terrain is fairly flat once you get past Gorman but it's pretty
hilly until then.

2. Follow the coast up until Santa Barbara. Then Santa Maria (SMX), Paso
Robles, and follow the 101 up to Salinas then Hayward. I like this route
because there are more, larger airports available but it adds about an hour
to the trip. Fuel reserve should still be at least 90 minutes.

Any thoughts on Hayward? It seems to be mostly jet businesses but do they
at least tolerate piston singles? Any recommendations on FBOs or services
there?

Thanks in advance.