Hi Specgrade, and welcome to the forum.
I live in California, and have not been to Area51, mainly because it is in the HOT HOT Nevada desert, filled with sand, cactus, scorpions, and rattlesnakes.
From what I hear, not a lot to see. But from the documentaries and books I've seen, I hear a few touchstone sites exist.
The good news if you decide to go is that Las Vegas is much more hospitable (it's VEGAS BABY! I have been there),and close enough to Area 51 that you can book a tour from there.
The few things you can see are "The Extraterrestrial Highway" sign as you drive through the desert to "The Little Ale'in" diner/giftshop.
The "White Mailbox", and the ominous sign that states if you continue much farther, "Deadly Force is Authorized" to deter trespassers. If you are luck (unlucky?) you might see the infamous gun toting camo-dudes/security officers in their SUV keeping you under surveillance as you approach THEIR domain.
Unfortunately, Uncle Sam does not issue civilian passes to their super-top-secret aviation testing bases.
So probably no walking tours of hangers filled with UFO's on the agenda.
And if it all turns out to be a little less climatic than you had hoped, you can always board a bus to view the spectacular Grand Canyon. Maybe the smarter ticket.