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

Should you visit Big Sur or Hood River?

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 Hood River can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Big Sur or Hood River?

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.

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Hood River or Big Sur?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $145. 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 Hood River in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Sur $165
    Hood River $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Sur $330
    Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Hood River

Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or Hood River? 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.

Hotels in Big Sur


Hotels in Hood River


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hood River Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Sur -
    Hood River $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Hood River?

Prices for flights to both Hood River 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Big Sur -
    Hood River $40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Sur -
    Hood River $18

Tours and Activities in Big Sur

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.

  • Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $15
  • Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Hood River

For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Gift Basket Factory Tour: $31
  • Orchard Tour: $31
  • Railbikes Experience: $211
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Sur -
    Hood River $19


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



When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Hood River?

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 Hood River in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Hood River. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In July, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Hood River. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Sur 63°F (17°C) 
    Hood River 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Hood River in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Hood River. The autumn months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than Hood River. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Sur 62°F (17°C) 
    Hood River 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Hood River in the Winter?

Both Hood River and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hood River. In the winter, Big Sur is much warmer than Hood River. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Sur in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Hood River averages at about 40°F (4°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hood River. In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Hood River. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Sur 51°F (11°C) 
    Hood River 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Hood River in the Spring?

Both Hood River and Big Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than Hood River. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Sur 56°F (13°C) 
    Hood River 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Hood River and Big Sur

Big Sur Hood River
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)