If you're driving from Phoenix to Las Vegas, then the south rim of the Grand Canyon is a convenient side trip; definitely don't miss it! Sedona is also on the way from Phoenix to the canyon, and worth a stop ("red rock country", where many old western movies were filmed). Distances aren't short, however, so check something like mapquest.com to get driving times, and be sure to allow plenty of time to actually see the sights. You could spend many days at each of the parks and not run out of things to do.
On the Vegas to Yosemite route, there's something you need to know. The route up highway 395 on the east side of the Sierras, which is the most efficient way from Vegas to Yosemite during summer, is incredibly scenic - but the roads across the Sierras near Yosemite close for the winter after the first major snowfall. Late November they could still be open, but there's a reasonable chance they'll already be closed. Once that happens, I don't think there's any way across the Sierras between Lake Isabella in the south and Lake Tahoe in the north until late spring or early summer (see a California map for details). And even the roads across near Tahoe need tire chains or snow tires when there's been recent snow. The alternative is to drive around the south end of the Sierras and do the very boring drive up the central valley, and drive into Yosemite Valley from the west side.
Another warning...
November 27 is the Thanksgiving holiday here. That week, all tourist areas, especially those that appeal to families, will be extremely crowded. For your sake, I hope your "late November" trip ends before that week. A few years back, I went to Las Vegas for the Thanksgiving long weekend, and the place was quite unusually crowded (but not unbearable). Also, interstate highway 5 up the central valley (on the western route between Las Vegas & Yosemite) is one big traffic jam the Sunday after Thanksgiving (I made the mistake of doing that once about a decade ago). Once you get to the San Fran area (if that's still on your itinerary), I don't expect it would be too bad that week, though (though I could be wrong - has anyone here been a tourist around SF during Thanksgiving week???).
I'm glad my photos are being useful to someone. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Lisa
