Which place is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Big Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Sur vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Columbia River Gorge can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge?
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.
Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.
The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Sur $0.00Columbia River Gorge $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $0.00. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Big Sur and Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Sur $165Columbia River Gorge $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Sur $330Columbia River Gorge $178
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Sur -Columbia River Gorge -
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge and Big Sur change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBig Sur -Columbia River Gorge -
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Sur -Columbia River Gorge -
Tours and Activities in Big Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
- Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Sur -Columbia River Gorge -
When comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Big Sur is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge?
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 Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Big Sur during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Big Sur is cooler than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).
Big Sur usually gets less rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Sur 63°F (17°C)Columbia River Gorge 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Columbia River Gorge.
In October, Big Sur is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In October, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Sur 62°F (17°C)Columbia River Gorge 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Columbia River Gorge.
Columbia River Gorge can be very cold during winter. Big Sur is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Big Sur usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Sur 51°F (11°C)Columbia River Gorge 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Big Sur or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Big Sur is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).
In April, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Sur 56°F (13°C)Columbia River Gorge 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Big Sur
| Big Sur | Columbia River Gorge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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