The SSL connection is set up before the HTTP request is sent; that's why the dedicated IP per domain is required, since the domain (Host header) is part of the request as well. The URL you're accessing is not sent in the clear.
Partly. On a modern system with SNI the hostname is sent in the clear. This removes the requirement for a dedicated IP per domain with SSL for those users, but until SNI everywhere you still need one.
The SSL connection is set up before the HTTP request is sent; that's why the dedicated IP per domain is required, since the domain (Host header) is part of the request as well. The URL you're accessing is not sent in the clear.