Favorite stops between San Jose --> Monterey?

Hiya! My spouse and I will be traveling to Monterey for a babymoon/delayed honeymoon in March, and we'll be flying into the San Jose airport and driving down to Monterey. What are some of your favorite stops on the way? Specifically looking for lunch spots since we'll be getting in around lunchtime and hoping to take the afternoon to drive and peruse the coastline since our hotel check-in isn't until 4:00!

Would also LOVE any recs for general food in the area-- Monterey, Carmel, or Big Sur, too. I'll be about 29 weeks pregnant, and we eat everything (I'm a huge food person, and have become an even bigger food lover in pregnancy) and especially love seafood in all its forms. We LOVE being on the water, so if it's on the water that's a huge bonus. I've been browsing this sub already, but some of the food threads are a few months/years old. We also love unique, quirky spots!