Hello! I'm planning a long weekend driving from San Diego to Las Vegas.

Thinking ...

(FRIDAY) Leave 7AM drive to some natural beautiful place to have picnic lunch / hike
-- Looks like Skywalk is a rip off & Grand Canyon is a lot farther away?
-- Anything exciting along the route worth a detour? Looking at 15 all the way.
-- Maybe Red Rock Canyon?
-- Hotel in Vegas
(SATURDAY) Vegas / See Family
(SUNDAY) Leave after breakfast to head back to SoCal
-- We took 15 to get here, and alternate routes / detours for the way back? We'd like to get home by dinner time, but visit at least one place / attraction on the way back.

Any ideas welcome! Thanks!