First of all, welcome to the country, and have fun!

As for places to visit, when I've been in that area I went down to Fisherman's Warf area in SF, also did the Alcatraz Prison tour. There's wine country out that way as well if you're into that. If you have a day to head to Lake Tahoe, that's a pretty incredible place. As for the southern portion, there's always Disneyland and the other parks, or Hollywood as well. Haven't been out that way much, so just some things to think about that may not be something you'd normally think of.

Have fun!