Jacqui, I would strongly advise you to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE the tawdry, kitschy rip-off tabernacle to mammon that is Las Vegas. There truly is no there there.

While based in SF, I'd recommend an excursion north on Hwy 101 to see the giant redwoods and dramatic coastline, not to mention the Wine Country. I live in Santa Rosa, an hour north of SF, and from here it's not far to Mendocino and the Avenue of the Giants.

Happy trails,
Michael