A Travel Price Comparison for California Big Sur vs. Fairfield for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Sur or Fairfield?

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

Where Should I go: Big Sur or Fairfield?

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.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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

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 Big Sur or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Big Sur is cooler than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In July, Big Sur usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Big Sur or Fairfield in the Autumn?

Both Fairfield and Big Sur during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Big Sur is generally around the same temperature as Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than Fairfield. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Sur or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Big Sur is a little warmer than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Fairfield. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Big Sur or Fairfield in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Fairfield. The spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Big Sur is around the same temperature as Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than Fairfield. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Big Sur