Thank you all so much for all of the advice and feedback--and even specific directions! :-)
Here is the most current itinerary based on feedback:

Day 1: fly to vegas early, drive to zion, hotel
Day 2: visit zion, hotel
Day 3: drive to Bryce, visit, hotel
Day 4: drive to cortez, hotel
Day 5: visit Mesa verde, back to cortez hotel
Day 6: drive to grand canyon north rim lodge, stay at lodge
Day 7: see sunrise, explore north rim a little, leave midday, drive to Pahrump, hotel
Day 8: leave EARLY, drive through death valley(stop at visitor center) to mammoth lakes area, vrbo rental with room to spread out and comfort :-)
Day 9: (wednesday) visit eastern parts of Yosemite, and glacier point, back to vrbo in mammoth
Day 10: wake EARLY drive to yosemite valley, explore a little, drive on to sequoia in the afternoon/evening, vrbo rental nearby
Day 11: explore sequoia/kings canyon, back to rental
Day 12: monterey (rental)
Day 13:monterey (rental)
Day 14 or 15: plane from sf

how does this look/sound to people? do you think it is possible/worth it to head to sf from monterey early morning on our last day, see a couple sights (golden gate bridge, sea lions, lombard st?) then catch a 5 pm (ish) plane? or is that over-ambitious?

or any different ideas we haven't thought of?

thanks again for all the help :-)