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

Should you visit Big Sur or Eugene?

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 Eugene can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Big Sur or Eugene?

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.

Eugene

At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is most recognized as the home of the University of Oregon. It's a smaller city with a liberal population that is generally concerned about environmental issues. A popular experience in Eugene is to go to the Saturday Market, which has been around since 1970 and is the oldest open air market in the United States.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Sur and Eugene, we can see that Eugene 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 Eugene would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eugene 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 Big Sur Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.

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

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 Eugene in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Eugene. Many visitors come to Big Sur in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Big Sur is generally cooler than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 63°F (17°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in July than Eugene. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Sur or Eugene in the Autumn?

Both Eugene and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Big Sur is a little warmer than Eugene in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In October, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Eugene. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Sur or Eugene in the Winter?

Both Eugene and Big Sur during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the cuisine.

In the winter, Big Sur is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Sur in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Eugene averages at about 41°F (5°C).

Eugene gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Sur usually gets less rain in January than Eugene. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Sur or Eugene in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Eugene. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In April, Big Sur is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 56°F (13°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In April, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Eugene. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Eugene and Big Sur