Those areas not beaches, and you would not be able to relax on sand, or rent chairs, and also use a bathroom, get a drink/cocktail or a bite to eat...that is just coastline, rock coastline.

It has nothing to do with haters, it is the fact the poster is asking for something that is not in the area, both price and landscape.

There is a reason the Cote' d'Azur is both popular, and developed....for quaint, this is not the place, but its darn nice. Cannes old town just above the marina is lovely, and Cap d'Antibe is very charming too....

The French Riviera is where the elite vacation, and everything that comes with that.

I have spent many summers, and winters along this coast as my brother had a place near Grasse, a quaint town in the hills above the coast...

As for luggage, on BLUE STAR, most of us leave our Biggie Bags on the vehicle level on steel shelving for that purpose. They're just full of dirty laundry mainly, anyway -- and I've never heard of anyone messing with them; there are boat staffers standing by the shelves. I rmember on my first trip, I stood by the shelves, and a boat guy said What are you Waiting for? And I said, my receipt of course ... and he burst out laughing. This is Greece Madam, no Need. You then just take your smaller bag (backpack, shoulder duffel etc) with your important stuff, up to economy deck. Of course you CAN carry that heavy bulky rolling bag up the steps, but I've taken Blue Star ferries since '99, and never felt the need.

As for ticket purchases -- since BLUE STAR ferries accommodate 1400 - 1800 passengers, and you are not trying to bring a car aboard, no reason to buy a ticket way ahead, I do it the day before, just for convenience. As for prices, you mention you are going between islands --- i.e. Santorini - Naxos, or Naxos - Paros. It will be a trip of 2-3 hours max, no need to buy "business class" tickets or even Reserved Economy (both are for inside seating, with option of also sitting on deck). Just buy the "plain vanilla" economy ticket. This entitles you to seating out on rear deck of top 2 levels, in plastic armchairs .... Or seating inside at any of the cafes.

IMPORTANT TIP -- If boarding at Santorini, the run starts there, so all deck seats will be empty. However, it is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. On the dock, one enters a large "hangar-style" building at one end, with lines of people leading to the Other end, where guards have roped exit. When they drop ropes, the rush begins... up the ramp, drop the big bags, hustle up escalator and then stairs, all to get first-change at good deck seats. Therefore, go EARLY to ferry pier, and once in HANGER, go straight to front (exit) door area. Be aware you will encounter many group tours, and I must say the most muscular and agressive were Asian students, shoving grandmamas roughly aside. If there are 2 of you, a great strategy is to have ONE person see to the stowing of the rolling bags, while the other sprints up escalator/then steps to snag 2 nice seats with a view of the wake. Since you said in an earlier post, your wife DOES NOT LIKE TO RUSH, I suggest that you be the seat-snagger.
TIP #2 -- If you are disembarking at Naxos or Paros, do not wait until the boat stops at pier and ramp slams down, because the port stop is VERY brief. When they announce on loudspeaker that they are nearing your port, the quick one (YOU) should hustle down the stairs & retrieve the bags. You all then stand in the darkness, usually in front of a big SEMI, as the ferry nudges alongside the pier. Then SLAM! The ramp whaps down, and in front of you ... another lovely Greek isle to explore (and an isle much less crowded and more authentic than Santorini).
******
I shall be leaving the islands just about the time you take this ferry ... and just want to assure you that you have chosen the PERFECT time of year to visit Greece -- warm days, cool nights, you get 1.5 days of pleasure for every day, because it doesn't get dark until after 9 pm. Enjoy every minute!

Google Keep
You can stick your itinerary and important points on a single "sticky note" or multiple notes that have no limitation on how you format your plan.
Keep has been my sole planning app for years

If Junior is under age 2 and less than 20 lbs he will need a rear facing car seat,

This is not up-to-date. Current law says

Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds [18 kg] OR is 40 or more inches tall. [102 cm]. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.

Police can, and will, stop you if a child is not properly secured. In a city, they may overlook taxis, but your Uber or Lyft is going to look like a private car. If you plan to get a seat from the rental company, book it in advance when you book the car. The rental company has to have seats available, but they may run out.

pick up the car some place that isn't in the inner core of SF (the airport makes sense if you're heading to Monterrey,

One problem with this is that cars rented at the airport can be significantly more expensive than cars picked up in the city, due to a bunch of airport fees. Check with a number of locations. Rental companies in the city will often bring the car to you.

On the other hand, if you are planning a one-way rental, picking up and dropping off at an airport may be more likely to get you the one-way drop off fee waived.

What buckguy calls a “rotary,” you may know as a “roundabout” or “traffic circle.”

Friendly Check in Girl- Nice tip on the guidebook- Thanks-

planning a long awaited return to Philippines in next two years...have only 2 weeks though..errr but plan to do a lot of scuba diving :)