Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Planning on things to do for the Grand Canyon itinerary? We’ll share the Grand Canyon travel blog with information on how to visit Grand Canyon South Rim in this detailed travel guide to help you with the planning.

A trip to Grand Canyon South Rim has great views of the canyon. Words cannot describe the absolute immense beauty of this place. You can walk along the rim, take a short hike, or go to the various viewpoints to immerse in the beauty of the canyon. We enjoyed our Grand Canyon experience! There are so many awesome spots to see and explore in the park. Trust us, Grand Canyon is one place you don’t want to sleep on.

For those of you planning your trip to the Grand Canyon, it’s important to plan your itinerary before your trip. That way, you can prepare in advance and make the most of your Grand Canyon trip.

Here, we wanted to share our Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary and detailed travel guide. In this Grand Canyon travel blog, we’ll include all the useful information and tips, including the best things to do and what to see in Canyon. Take a look!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is a truly magnificent place to visit. This awe-inspiring landscape is carved by the Colorado River and layered bands of colorful rock formation millions of years. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonder in the World and UNESCO Heritage Site. Besides, Grand Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in the world, which makes it also one of the busiest National Park in the USA. 

We recommended Grand Canyon South Rim as it has a more scenic side and perfect place to begin your explanation of the Grand Canyon. It is dubbed the “true Grand Canyon” and is open 24 hours with a number of lodging choices, restaurants, shops, and facilities. While the North Rim is closed during the winter due to snow.

Grand Canyon National Park
State: Arizona
Address: S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
Area: 1,218,375 acres
Telephone: (928) 638-7888
Official Website: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Entrance Fee To Grand Canyon NP

The entrance fee to Grand Canyon National Park is $35 USD per car and it covers up to 4 people in 1 vehicle for 7 days entrance in and out of the park. But if you plan to visit more than 3 USA National Parks within the year, we highly recommend you purchase an America The Beautiful pass. This pass grants you free admission to the National Parks and it definitely will save you a lot of money.

Here is some of the quick information for your Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary:

Best Time To Visit Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon South Rim is open all year round while the North Rim is closed during winter. The best time to visit Grand Canyon is during spring and fall when the weather is pleasant and less crowded.

While the Summer months will be the peak season for Grand Canyon, so please expect more crowds. The weather is hot and hiking can be challenging in the middle of the day. Please take more caution on the hot weather if you are planning to visit Grand Canyon in Summer.

Winter will be less crowded compared with spring and fall. Snow is possible and the weather is extremely low. But this also means quieter viewpoints and less expensive accommodation. 

Where To Stay

There are two options if you are looking for accommodation when visiting Grand Canyon, which is within the park and outside the park. If you plan for the sunrise, the best way probably is to stay close by so you can catch the sunrise in the early morning.

Best Place to Stay within Grand Canyon

Staying within the Grand Canyon National Park will save you a lot of traveling time by driving in and out. You can also be camping and Grand Canyon with 3 campgrounds (Desert View, Trailer Village, and Mather) in the park. There are several accommodation options for in-park accommodation:

• The historic El Tovar Hotel – The most premium accommodation option in Grand Canyon South Rim. It is a National Historic Landmark with 78 unique rooms and a fine dining restaurant.
• Yavapai Lodge – There are 378 rooms for a regular basic stay in Grand Canyon. A great option for family travelers and is located slightly further far compared with other in-park lodges. Check prices now!
• Bright Angel Lodge is often one of the cheapest options within the park. The lodge offers rooms and cabins and is located on the rim at the top of the Bright Angel trailhead. Check prices now!
• Maswik Lodge has 280 contemporary-style rooms across 12 buildings.
• Thunderbird Lodge featured with many of the rooms offers partial views of the canyon.
• Kachina Lodge offers regular-style hotel rooms and it is clean and comfortable.

Best Place to Stay Outside of Grand Canyon

Another great option for where to stay when visiting Grand Canyon is outside the park. You can plan to stay in a nearby town such as Tusayan. Here is our recommendation:

• Best Western Squire Inn is featured a lot of amenities and complimentary coffee in the morning. It took about an hour of drive to the entrance of the Grand Canyon. It is a very popular option accommodation option for those who plan to stay closer to the Grand Canyon entrance. Check for room availability here!
• The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon is another popular pick. The hotel is located at Tusayan and about 1 mile from the South Entrance. The rooms are clean and quiet. An ideal for those who need a good rest after a tiring trip to Grand Canyon. Check prices now!

Grand Canyon Travel Tips: Accommodation is limited and the In-park hotels in Grand Canyon Village are extremely popular, especially during summer. So, book ahead of time to secure your stay. You can click on either of the hotels above to check on the prices and room availability.

Getting Around in Grand Canyon South Rim

Driving in the Canyon: Self-driving definitely gives you the most flexibility. Viewpoints of Grand Canyon like Lipan and Moran are accessible by car all year-round.

Free Shuttle Bus Service: Grand Canyon National Park provides a free shuttle bus service at the Southern Rim. There are 5 shuttle bus routes (only 3 routes during winter) are in operation. The bus makes multiple stops where you are able to get off and on. It is advisable that you get a map and carefully plan out which viewpoints are you gonna stop at. The wait between buses is about 15-20 minutes, giving visitors the perfect amount of time to admire the view, take pictures, and then take the next bus.

Helicopter Tour: If you’re the adventurous type, you can also take a helicopter ride over the canyon. It certainly is a cool once-in-a-lifetime moment flying above the canyon, but most likely also the most expensive activity around. You can check around the price here: Grand Canyon Tour with Helicopter

Grand Canyon Itinerary

The Southern Rim is easily accessible from Las Vegas, or from nearby cities like Flagstaff and Page. All are the perfect places to begin your adventure in the Grand Canyon. Very easy to do.

The day before, we drove from Las Angelos to Las Vegas with a rental car and spent the night there. The next morning, we continue our journey and headed to Grand Canyon. A 5-hour drive from Las Vegas put us in the South Rim entrance of the Grand Canyon.

At the Grand Canyon National Park, we took the shuttle option and hopped around to different viewpoints to have a different view of this natural wonder. The view was just amazing and immense! One of the must-visit National Park in the USA for sure!

There are dozen of viewpoints in the Grand Canyon and offer spectacular views of the canyon. Below are our picks and how we spend our time in the 1-Day Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary:

• Arrived at Grand Canyon South Rim Entrance Point from Las Vegas.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
• Mather Point.
• Yavapai Point.
• Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints (Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, and Hermits Rest).
• Kaibab Rim Route: Yaki Point, Pipe Creek Vista.

Grand Canyon Visitor Center

Our first stop in the Grand Canyon itinerary was the Visitor Center, the busiest area in the Grand Canyon National Park.

At the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, you can get the ranger suggestions and the orientation maps to the Grand Canyon. Besides, the visitor center is the main shuttle bus interchange station if you plan to take up the shuttle service. It also has restrooms, the largest book and gift store in the park.

We are lucky as we parked right outside the visitor center. It can be hard to find the car park if you arrive late. While waiting, you can also enjoy the Granton Canyon View from the viewing point right in front of the visitor center.

Mather Point

Next, we walked from the viewing point by the visitor center to Mather Point, the closest view of the rim from the visitor’s center. It took us about 5 minutes as it is adjacent to the Grand Canyon Vistors Center.

If you only can visit one viewpoint in Grand Canyon, I would probably suggest Mather Point. The views are spectacular and amazing. It is probably the most crowded lookout point and it gives you a great view looking to the East side of the Grand Canyon.

To get there: Walk the Rim trail or take the Kaibab Rim Route, the orange line.

Yavapai Point

The Yavapai point is another place you have to go to see on the Grand Canyon itinerary.

We walked alongside the rim towards Yavapai Point. Alternatively, you can also take the shuttle over Yavapai Point. The trail is only 0.7km for one way and easy to walk through. Moreover, you’ll be rewarded with great views along the way.

The view from Yavapai Point is spectacular. The full grandeur of the Grand Canyon is on display and there are multiple spots to take. If you have time, it is also worth it to venture into the Geological Museum. The museum has a full model of the Grand Canyon and lots of interesting and informative about the geological history of the area.

To get there: Walk the Rim trail or take the Kaibab Rim Route, the orange line.

Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints

Next, we back to the Visitor Center and hop on the Hermit Road Shuttle to Hermit’s Point Viewpoints. This scenic route with a series of 9 stops with viewpoints that offer incredible views of the Canyon.

Hermit’s Rest Viewpoints (and shuttle stops): Trailview Overlook – Maricopa Point – Powell Point – Hopi Point – Mohave Point – The Abyss – Monument Creek Vista – Pima Point – Hermits Rest.

The en route is about 7 miles and the shuttle will stop at designated points for about 15 to 30 minutes. You can hop on and off along the stops to explore each viewpoint as much as you can, or even plan for a hike.

Powell Point

At Powell Point with Stunning Vista. We highly recommended spending some time enjoying the magnificent view at this stop.

There is Powell Memorial at the Powell Point viewpoint commemorates the 1869 and 1871-72 exploratory trips down the Colorado River by Major John Wesley Powell and expedition crews.

Hopi Viewpoint

A short distance to Powel Point is the Hopi Viewpoint. The view is magnificent although it is quite similar to Powell Point. Hopi Point is also one of the popular viewpoints with its wide unobstructed views in the Grand Canyon.

Another must-visit in the Grand Canyon itinerary. The Mohave Point offers views of the Colorado River deep in the canyon below.

One of the stops for Hermit’s Point Viewpoints is Monument Creek Vista. The view is stunning and worth spending time on the Grand Canyon travel blog.

Hermits Rest

Hermits Rest is the last stop on the Hermits Rest Road Shuttle bus service

At the last stop at Hermit’s Rest, there is a stone building with a fireplace selling gifts and serving hot drinks. You can take some rest and spend some time exploring around.

We started the Hermit Drive adventure after our lunch and hopped on and off along the stops. We stopped by Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Monument Creek Vista until we reached the Hermits Rest.

You can plan and spend at all the viewpoints depending on how much time is allocated for your Grand Canyon itinerary. In my opinion, Powell Point and Hopi Point have the best view along the Hermits Rest Route.

To get there: Take the Hermit’s Rest Route, the red line.

Sunset at Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista

In the late afternoon, we took the shuttle back to the Kaibab Rim Route. On this route, we stopped off the Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vista.

During the evening, the Yaki Point and Pipe Creek Vistas are extremely stunning as fading light of sunset brings out rich colors in Grand Canyon’s rock layers. We spend a lot of taking nice photography at these two viewpoints while waiting for the sunset at Grand Canyon.

Lastly, we took our car and continue our journey to Page. We stayed one night in Page and prepared for our next adventure to Antelope Canyon.

To get there: Take the Kaibab Rim Route, the Orange line.

What and Where to eat in Grand Canyon

Food is very expensive and only have limited options are available inside the Grand Canyon National Park. You can go to the Grand Canyon Village or Market Plaza to look for food. But it is usually very crowded and lines get very long, especially during lunch hours.

Additionally, if you want to eat somewhere special then the historic El Tovar is a great option. It served with fine dining with stunning canyon views. Reservation is recommended.

During our visit to Grand Canyon, many restaurants are closed or carried out only. We bought the sandwiches for lunch and continue our venturing journey. So it is advised to plan your meals or have plenty of snacks before you go.

Hiking in Grand Canyon

Hiking is undoubtedly the best way to take in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. We did not hike down into the canyon, but really enjoyed all the viewpoints along the rim road. If you’re planning for a great hike down into the Canyon, we recommended two options for a short hike in Grand Canyon.

From South Kaibab trailhead and hike to Ooh Aah Point, which is about 1.8 miles round trip. The Ooh Ahh Point is one of the favorite spots to stop for pictures and I highly recommend it for visitors looking for a shorter but worthy hike. It cannot be accessed by private vehicle and only can catch a shuttle (Orange line) to the trailhead. Alternatively, park on the side of highway 64 near Yaki Point road and walk about 1/2 mile to the trailhead.

Another less strenuous option is Bright Angel Trail. It is another popular and easiest access for hiking in Grand Canyon. It has lots of shops at the top where you can get last-minute supplies such as water and snacks. Parking is very limited and it is very difficult to find parking near the trailhead.

Watch Sunrise in Grand Canyon

If you are staying in Grand Canyon, don’t forget to wake up early for the magical sunrise when the light hits the canyon walls.

There are a few favorite spots for travelers to watch the magnificent sunrise view in Grand Canyon. The Mohave Point on Hermit Road and Mather Point, Yavapai Point nearby the Visitor Center are the popular sunrise viewpoints in Grand Canyon. The locations offer stunning sunrise vistas with stunning sunrise views.

However, expected a huge crowd to share the same excitement with you. It is recommended to stay within the park to save your traveling time in the early morning.

More Grand Canyon Travel Guide Tips

To enjoy the visit to Grand Canyon South Rim here is our quick and simple tips for your Grand Canyon itinerary:

• Get the America Beauty Pass as it really saves us a lot of money during our trip to the USA.
• At the Visitor Center at the park entrance, please get the maps and plan out what you want to see. Grand Canyon is easily planned for a self-tour.
• Please fully utilized the shuttle system service as parking is limited at most of the viewpoints. If you are planning for self-driving, please start your day as early as possible. Please check the Grand Canyon NP website for road condition information.
• Wear multiple layers for flexibility and comfortable shoes or hiking boots with a good grip. Hat and sunblock are highly recommended, especially in Summer.
• Bring water and snacks as there are not many stores or vending machines in the park.
• Cellular data and WiFi are basically nonexistent
• Lastly, get to the Grand Canyon National Park early!

Overview: A Trip to Grand Canyon South Rim

All in all, a visit to Grand Canyon was on my must-do list and I’m happy to have made the effort to go. Photos alone do not do justice to the sights of the massive size of the Grand Canyon. You have to be with your eyes to admire this nature experience.  

We were short in time and only had a few hours in Grand Canyon before we traveled to Antelope Canyon. In total, we spent just about 6 hours in the park. But still, we highly suggest making a stop even if you don’t have time for a full-scale adventure. This is a very easy and excellent sightseeing attraction on a world scale-definitely not to miss if you are in the canyon country!

Last but not least, we hope you enjoy reading our Grand Canyon itinerary. Do you plan on visiting other National Parks and popular cities in the USA? Feel free to check out our travel guide blog below.

Travel in California:

• San Francisco Itinerary: An Epic Travel Guide Blog
• Big Sur Itinerary: Highway 1 Road Trip Travel Guide Blog
• Yosemite Itinerary: Travel Guide Blog For 1,2, 3 Days

Travel in Arizona:

• Day Trip To Antelope Canyon: A Travel Guide Blog

 

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

If you are planning for a Big Sur itinerary, we’ve got you covered. Here we’ll share the notable stops with the best viewpoints along this coastal route for the California Highway 1 road trip. Let’s check it out!

We were doing a California road trip vacation from San Francisco and then down the coast back to Los Angeles. The Big Sur road trip was the most unforgettable and also the best road trip I have ever done in the United States.

There are lots of things to do in Big Sur and make sure you make the most of it. You could certainly spend several days exploring it on your Big Sur road trip itinerary. But if you only have a limited one day, it is also possible to squeeze it into a day trip.

In this Big Sur travel guide blog, we’ll share the best Big Sur itinerary with the key stops and viewpoints along the coastline. You can visit most of the main attractions for your weekend gateway or simply a short day trip. I will explain more in detail with travel tips to help you make the most of your time there.

So, read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary!

Big Sur, California Highway 1

Known as California Highway 1, Big Sur is a popular strip of California highway that runs from the Central Coast of California near Carmel-by-the-Sea to the San Simeon area. The dramatic coast is one of the most scenic stretches of California coastline and is best to plan for a California road trip.

Along the 96 miles drive, you’ll be seeing the pristine coastline with rocky cliffs, well-preserved states parks, stunning ocean with beaches, rustic natural scenery, and a relaxing ambiance.

The Big Sur road trip is best done from north to south. Many of the beaches and viewpoints are right on your sides which gives you the best coast view. We drove along the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles, stopping in Carmel, and Santa Barbara along the way.

Big Sur Travel Tips: If you need a rental car for your California Big Sur road trip, we recommend booking your car with RentalCars.com, where you will find the best rental car prices. You can save up to 70% on your rental car booking!

Big Sur Travel Guide Tips

To make the most of your Big Sur itinerary, here are a few travel tips you should know before hitting the road!

1-Day Big Sur Itinerary

Below are the best stop and viewpoints along Highway 1 for the 1-Day Big Sur itinerary:

• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (1 to 2 hours)
• Garrapata State Park (30 minutes)
• Lunch at Rocky Point Restaurant
• Bixby Creek Bridge (30 minutes)
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (1 hour)
• Pfeiffer Beach (1 hour)
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park & McWay Falls (1 to 2 hours)
• Elephant Seal Vista Point (30 minutes)

Big Sur Travel Tips: The allocation time is based on the assumption and it can be different depending on the activities and traffic. You may also need to include the traveling time from one point to another point along the journey.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is definitely one of the best places to visit on a Big Sur itinerary. This natural reserve is full of breathtaking scenic views, unique geological formations, and plenty of marine wildlife.

You can go sightseeing, photography, hiking, picnic, or even go Scuba diving.

There are a few suggested route and hiking options at Point Lobos. Most are relatively short (~1 mile or less) loop trails that were pretty simple to hike but had amazing scenery. You could spend all day hiking around and enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Due to our relatively limited time here, I recommend taking a short trail. We spent about an hour on a beautiful short hike at Point Lobos. We parked at the Sea Lion Point parking area and took the Cypress Grove Trail.

This 0.8-mile Cypress Grove Trail is relatively flat with several small elevation changes. It is an easy trail loop through the cypress groves with a spectacular rocky shoreline view. Highly recommended.

• Official Website: https://www.pointlobos.org/
• Park Opening Hour: 8:00 to 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30).
• Parking: Parking is very limited so get there early, or plan to park on the road shoulder and walk in.
• Estimate time: 1 to 2 hours for a short hike.

Big Sur Travel Tips: Please take note that dogs are not allowed anywhere on the Natural Reserve. It does not even allow them to be kept in the car while you explore the park.

Garrapata State Park

Garrapata State Park is a hidden jewel that is just a short drive from Point Lobos. It is one of the lovely nature spots on California Highway 1 and you can’t go wrong stopping here while exploring Big Sur.

The enchanting state park offers rocky coast with amazing views of the ocean, rocks, and cliffs. You can stay at the top viewing on the ocean and cliff, or walk down the steps right to the water. There are a few optional hiking trails where you can spend hours admiring nature beauty.

We spend about 30 minutes here at the top and took many beautiful pictures. We were blown away by the stunning scenes and spectacular coastline. Everything is awesome!

• Official website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/
• Park Opening Hour: From 8:00 until sunset.
• Estimate time: 30 minutes for viewing.

Rocky Point Restaurant

We decide to stop off for early brunch and it turned out to be one of the best meals I have ever had.

Opened in 1947, the Rocky Point Restaurant is a great place for food while enjoying the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean coast. The scenery outside of the restaurant was stunning.

The food was marvelous and tasty. All are beautifully plated and prepared with fresh ingredients. The price is slightly expensive but worth going for the great view.

If you have time you can stroll the paths behind the restaurant and breathe in the delicious fresh air and the beautiful flowers. What a perfect place to stop for brunch while enjoying stops along Big Sur.

Note: This nearly 75-year-old Rocky Point Restaurant is temporarily closed. You may consider Nepenthe, another popular eatery perched on a Big Sur cliffside located 30 minutes away.

Bixby Creek Bridge

Known as ‘Bixby Bridge’ or ‘Bixby Canyon Bridge’, Bixby Creek Bridge is an iconic landmark in Big Sur. This feat of engineering is built in 1932 and connected two rocky cliffsides along highway 1. It is one of the most photographed bridges in California due to its design, graceful architecture, and magnificent setting.

We stopped at the viewpoint and were able to get many stunning pictures. The bridge itself is marvelous as it’s a true engineering achievement. Together with the natural scenes all around the bridge, it is at the top of Instagram-worthy destination lists. Definitely worth the stop on your way through Big Sur.

There is no clear sign on Bixby Bridge, but you’ll know when you arrive because of the crowds and cars dotted around the roadside. There is a convenient pull-out but be warned of parking issues on winding roads.

• Estimate time: 30 minutes for viewing.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

After admiring Bixby Bridge, continue the Big Sur itinerary to the next destination. The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a large beautiful park in Big Sur that covers approximately 1,006 acres of land.

There are many different trails that each offer something different to explore. You can take the easy 1.5 mile Pfeiffer Falls trail or the moderate 2.6 miles Buzzard’s Roost trail for redwoods. Besides, there’s a nice hotel, a cafe, and a large campground on-site to accommodate hikers, bikers, and RVers.

• Official website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/
• Park Opening Hour: From 8:00 until sunset.

Pfeiffer Beach

Next, head to Pfeiffer Beach. The Pfeiffer Beach is a secret gem of the Big Sur area and the entrance is a bit hide. There are no signs from the highway leading to the Pfeiffer beach and one could easily miss it.

To get to Pfeiffer Beach, you’ll need to make a sharp right turn onto unsigned Sycamore road located 13.7 miles south of the Bixby Bridge. Following the one-lane narrow paved road for 2.5 miles, you’ll reach the entrance of Pfeiffer Beach. The parking lot is limited and easily fill up on busy days. The rangers will ask you to wait until a parking space opens up.

A short walk from the car park will lead you to the beach with spectacular views of rock formations. The beach isn’t large, but it’s a nice spot for relaxing and enjoying the beach.

We were amazed by crashing waves, keyhole rock formations, and natural scenes. The interesting thing about Pfeiffer beach is the unique distinctive purple sand created by the manganese garnet that is washed down from the hillsides above.

Dip your toes in the magical purple sand and listen to the waves crash along the shore. A must-visit in the Big Sur itinerary!

• Opening Hour: From 9:00 until sunset.
• Estimate time: 1 to 2 hours for viewing.

Note: Pfeiffer Beach is operated by Parks Management Company for the Forest Service and not under California State Park. You’ll need to pay the day-use fee costs $12 to access the area.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park & McWay Falls

If you are driving on Highway 1, a visit to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is an absolute must. This state park is characterized by steep canyons and ancient redwood trees. The popular stop in Big Sur, McWay Falls is located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

A short half-mile trail leads you to the falls overlook for McWay Falls.

It is an easy walk around the cliffs where you get an amazing view of the ocean and the waterfall. You’ll be mesmerized by the magical view of the McWay Falls that tumble down onto a pristine beach from different angles. Truly spectacular to behold.

If you have more time, you can explore the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park by taking the 5.8-mile Ewoldsen loop trail.

Big Sur Travel Tips: Drive into Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park required to pay $10 for parking. Alternatively, you can park on the roadside and walk-in for free.

• Official website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/
• Park Opening Hour: From 8:00 until sunset.
• Estimate time: 1 to 2 hours for viewing.

Elephant Seal Vista Point

For animal lovers, the Elephant Seal Vista Point in San Simeon is one of the most interesting stops you can make along Highway 1. It is the best spot to see these magnificent marine mammals up close on one of the prettiest coastlines in California.

We were pleasantly surprised to see hundreds of seals laying all up and down on the beach during our visit. All the elephant seals are playing around, chilling and cuddling under the California sun. There is also helpful signage with good information about the elephant seals

We stayed about 30 minutes just watching them. Very entertaining!

• Opening Hour: Always open!
• Estimate time: 30 minutes for viewing.

Where To Stay

You could easily do the whole Big Sur itinerary in a day if you started early enough in the morning. But if you want to take more time on the drive, consider spending one night at Big Sur and exploring Big Sur leisurely. However, note that the accommodation in Big Sur is limited and the average price is also slightly on the high side.

If you want to stay in the mid-point of the Big Sur, you may consider the Big Sur Lodge. You’ll stay in a clean and beautiful cabin, surrounded by beautiful trees. It is located in the Pfeiffer State Park and has easy access to the hiking trails and the beach. A comfortable stay in a beautiful setting. Check Rate here: Big Sur Lodge

For an upgrade, I would highly recommend Alila Ventana Big Sur which is surrounded by redwoods with stunning views of the coast. This adult-only property is very peaceful and well maintained. It features 2 heated pools adjoined by a Japanese hot bath and an on-site art gallery. The location is excellent which is about 10 minutes from Pfeiffer Beach, and minutes to the nearby state park. Check Rate here: Alila Ventana Big Sur

Another best option for Big Sur accommodations is staying in San Simeon. The accommodation options here are cheaper and you can even extend the Big Sur itinerary to Hearst Castle.

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort is a beachfront resort with an incredible view. It is one of the best options nearby with an affordable price, given the quality and the prime location. The property also features 2 heated outdoor pools and a hot tub, a nice on-site restaurant, and provide free wifi for the guests. Check Rate here: Cavalier Oceanfront Resort

Overview: Big Sur Itinerary

All in all, I am highly recommended Big Sur for you to experience the California coastal view. Of course, there are a few more interesting places in Big Sur awaiting you to explore. But all the attractions above are good enough if you only have one day in Big Sur. Plan ahead your Big Sur itinerary and start your day early, you should be able to experience the best of the Highway 1 road trip in one day. Enjoy!

Planning a Trip to California? We’ve got plenty of California travel guides to help you plan an amazing trip.

• San Francisco Itinerary: An Epic Travel Guide Blog
• Yosemite Itinerary: Travel Guide Blog For 1,2, 3 Days