A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Berkshires vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Berkshires or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Berkshires is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkshires Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Berkshires or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

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

In July, Berkshires usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Berkshires or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Berkshires is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 51°F (11°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Berkshires usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkshires or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Berkshires. Berkshires is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 22°F (-6°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Berkshires or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkshires during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Berkshires usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkshires