A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Berkshires vs. Big Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Berkshires or Big Sur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Berkshires and Big Sur can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Berkshires or Big Sur?

Berkshires

The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.

The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and Big Sur, we can see that Berkshires is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Berkshires would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkshires than you might in Big Sur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkshires Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Big Sur?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Berkshires or Big Sur in the Summer?

Both Big Sur and Berkshires during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Berkshires is a little warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berkshires in July average around 72°F (22°C), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Berkshires usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkshires or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Big Sur. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Berkshires is generally much colder than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 51°F (11°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Berkshires usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Berkshires or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Big Sur. Additionally, the cuisine are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

The weather in Berkshires can be very cold. Berkshires is much colder than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 22°F (-6°C) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Berkshires usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkshires or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Berkshires is much colder than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berkshires in April average around 47°F (9°C), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, Berkshires usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Berkshires