Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Big Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
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 San Francisco is $222. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or San Francisco? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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.
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Sur and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Big Sur.
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.
Both San Francisco and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Big Sur is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, Big Sur usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both San Francisco and Big Sur during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Big Sur is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Sur in October average around 62°F (17°C), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than San Francisco. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and San Francisco. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Big Sur is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 51°F (11°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as San Francisco. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Big Sur is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than San Francisco. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Big Sur | San Francisco | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Feb | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Jun | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
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