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

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Should you visit Big Sur or Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Big Sur or Los Angeles?

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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.

Which city is cheaper, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles is $203. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Big Sur and Los Angeles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Sur $132
    Los Angeles $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Sur $264
    Los Angeles $222
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Los Angeles

Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or Los Angeles? 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 Los Angeles


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: Big Sur Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Sur -
    Los Angeles $33

Typical Local Transportation prices in Los Angeles

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:


  • Hotel Parking for a Day
    $22
  • Taxi to Airport
    $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles

Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX to Las Vegas by Minibus: $1,883
  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX to Las Vegas by SUV: $1,616
  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX to Las Vegas by Executive SUV: $1,598
  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs or San Diego by Minibus: $569
  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs/San Diego by Luxury Car: $524
  • LOS ANGELES to Palm Springs Airport (PSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $485
  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs/San Diego by Exec. SUV: $480
  • Arrival Private Transfer Los Angeles LAX to Palm Springs or San Diego by SUV: $453
  • Los Angeles Private Transfer To Coechella Valley, CA.: $439
  • Private Transfer - LAX Airport to San Diego/ Las Vegas in a Luxurious SUV: $420
  • San Diego Private Transfer From Hollywood or Burbank.: $398
  • Los Angeles Private Transfer To Tijuana Border Crossing.: $398

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Los Angeles?

Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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 -
    Los Angeles $46

Typical Food prices in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Mexican Dinner (family of 4)
    $32
  • Burritos for Two
    $15
  • Coffee and Danish
    $7.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • How to Cook the Perfect Steak Virtual Cooking Class: $42
  • West Hollywood Food Tour: $75
  • Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $77
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Los Angeles Venice Beach: $96
  • Private Authentic Middle Eastern Cooking Class in Reseda, Los Angeles: $102
  • Luxury Vegan Food Tours of Los Angeles: $125
  • Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach, Los Angeles w/ Private Tour Option: $207

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Sur -
    Los Angeles $64

Typical Entertainment prices in Los Angeles

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)
    $37
  • Bowling
    $13
  • Hollywood Tour for Two
    $30
  • Six Flags for 2
    $96

Tours and Activities in Los Angeles

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

  • 1 Hour Instagram Pics Hollywood Sign Tour: $39
  • 15 mins Driving Tour in a Ferrari California T spider in hollywood: $69
  • 1HOUR FERRARI CALIFORNIA driving Tour from Hollywood to Beverly Hills: $300
  • 2 Hour Celebrity Homes Tour: $39
  • 2 Hour Venice Beach Bike Tour: $61
  • 2 hour Horseback Riding Tour near the Hollywood Sign with Transportation: $127
  • 2-Hour Hollywood Bike Tour: $60
  • 2-Hour Hollywood Walking and Hiking Tour with Skyline Views: $34
  • 3 Hour Hollywood to Beverly Hills small group Tour: $41
  • 3 Hour Venice Beach Bike Tour: $71
  • 3 Hours Los Angeles VIP Tour: $49
  • 3 Hours Private Los Angeles Tour: $357

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Sur -
    Los Angeles $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:

  • Brews Cruise- DTLA Brewery tour by bike: $50
  • Brewery Walking Tour -- Downtown / Arts District: $81
  • Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles: $249
  • Los Angeles Wine Tour: $250
  • The Private Malibu Wine Tour: $419
  • Food and Wine Tasting Party: $750
  • Private Tour: Malibu Wine Tasting for Two by Limousine from Los Angeles: $999

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Los Angeles. Furthermore, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.


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Big Sur is cooler than Los Angeles in the summer. The temperature in Big Sur is usually 63°F (17°C) in July, and Los Angeles stays around 72°F (22°C).

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Sur 63°F (17°C) 
    Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Los Angeles. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.


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In the autumn, Big Sur is around the same temperature as Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Sur in October are around 62°F (17°C), and Los Angeles is about 64°F (18°C).

Big Sur usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Los Angeles. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Sur 62°F (17°C) 
    Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Los Angeles in the Winter?

Both Los Angeles and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.


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In January, Big Sur is generally cooler than Los Angeles. Temperatures in Big Sur average around 51°F (11°C), and Los Angeles stays around 55°F (13°C).

In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Los Angeles. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Sur 51°F (11°C) 
    Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles and Big Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches and the activities around the city.


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Big Sur is cooler than Los Angeles in the spring. The temperature in Big Sur is usually 56°F (13°C) in April, and Los Angeles stays around 61°F (16°C).

Big Sur usually gets more rain in April than Los Angeles. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Sur 56°F (13°C) 
    Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Big Sur

Big Sur Los Angeles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (11°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Feb 53°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.1 inches (55 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm) 61°F (16°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
May 59°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Jun 62°F (16°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 0.6 inches (14 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
Dec 51°F (10°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)


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Big Sur vs. Los Angeles Travel Comparison

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