Best way to see California? Starting in San Francisco and ending in LA.

We have 7 days. First 3 days in SF. then 4th day wake up and go to Sequoia national Park and see general Sherman. I wanted to see Yosemite but we don't really have as much time as I wanted Stay a night there And then 5th drive to LA. I wanted to only do San Francisco/Yosemite and Sequoia. But my bf insisted adding La. I only really wanna see like 2 things But then I saw we can walk around universal for free so I was like ok I'm down. What's some cheap ways to survive? Food? I don't have a hotel in LA yet. J think I'm going to get the Hilton that's near the lax airport bc it's for a fridge microwave free breakfast etc We have a rental car but we are returning it the 6th day because it was 500$ cheaper to return it one day earlier (I have no clue why. It's a Wednesday) Any tips for cheap food? Cheap ways around? I wanna see Alcatraz but idk if it's worth it(?) Any advice? Is sequoia worth the drive? It's 4-5 hours there and like 4-5 to La Thank you for any help 🙏