Should we make the 10 hour+ round trip to see the Grand Canyon?

[TheScreamingHeebieJeebies]

DH and I have planned a California itinerary/loop in a hire car taking in the coast, San Francisco, Yosemite and Vegas, and hadn't factored in going to see the Grand Canyon, but everyone keeps telling us to go and see it! I don't want to do one of those day tours from Vegas when you pay $$$$$ to see it for an hour - I'd rather go properly and spend the night if we're going to do it at all. I guess we are not that drawn to see it as we didn't plan to in the first place - we mostly want to hike in Yosemite and see the coast - so am just wondering if you think we'll regret it!

Did almost exactly the same trip last Easter (in 10 days - we REALLY pushed it as couldn't take any more time out), TBH, GC to me was just a big hole LOL (but I am a mountains and waterfalls girl), DP had been before and it remains one of the most awesome things he's seen, DD was simply blown away. So although the extra hours might break you, I would say go for it. But DON'T go to Skywalk - head around the Southern Rim. If you've not been before, prepare to be speechless as you drive into Yosemite. Vegas is uber tacky but has to be done! Despite the lack of waterfalls, Death Valley also blew me away.

We are off on a 3.5 week road trip in July - starting Chicago then West through the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming then down to Yellowstone, down to Monument Valley, Four Corners, Arches, Zion, Death Valley (DP has booked room at the Furnace Creek Ranch DV to find out if there is ANYWHERE in the world I can't claim to feel cold LOL), back to Yosemite, Sequioa then some beach time at Santa Barbara. Just wish I'd discovered the USA 10 years earlier. Love it. DP spends loads of time over there - screaming you're welcome to PM for any other titbits. Excited for you :-)

I drove from LA to Grand Canyon (South rim) - arrived just before sunset, watched the sun go down. Stayed on site overnight in a cheap motel and woke up in the dark to watch the sun come up - just me and the local deer.
Incredible.
By about 9 am, when the sun was up and the day tourists came, it was meh.
So would do it for the sunrise and sunset, but not in the day.

Thanks Attila