Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Big Sur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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 a remote, breathtaking, and scenic natural area. Many visitors also come to Big Sur because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches. See Big Sur travel costs.
San Francisco is a outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come to San Francisco because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See San Francisco travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco. Although Big Sur and San Francisco are popular destinations, San Francisco has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Francisco is more touristy than Big Sur and is known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also well known for The Golden Gate Bridge. Big Sur is famous for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Francisco and Big Sur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, San Francisco has many famous sights for visitors. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.
Big Sur offers a few options for museum-goers. Nature is what brings visitors to the area, so most people don't prioritize museums or manmade landmarks.
San Francisco is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Big Sur is not a theatre destination.
If you have some extra time in San Francisco, take in a show. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.
Big Sur is not a theatre destination.
San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for its local cuisine and restaurants.
San Francisco has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.
Big Sur offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Most of the restaurants offer a breathtaking view. Many use locally-sourced ingredients and they range in style from fine dining to casual eateries.
San Francisco is very good for its evening party scene. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for nightlife.
If you're looking for night time activities San Francisco has a few options to choose from. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.
People don't go to Big Sur for the nightlife. There's a taphouse and lounge, but the area is mostly undeveloped with no real nightlife.
San Francisco is very good for its music scene. However, Big Sur is not a live music destination.
Music lovers will find a few good venues in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.
Big Sur is not a live music destination.
Big Sur and San Francisco are excellent choices for a beach vacation.
Big Sur is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The coastline and beaches are dramatic and beautiful, particularly Pfeiffer Beach, which has a dramatic waterfall. The water is filled with rip tides and strong currents, so swimming isn't advisable in most places.
You'll have a great beach vacation in San Francisco. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.
San Francisco is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for the nearby hiking options.
Many people visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.
Big Sur is a popular spot for hiking. The dramatic hikes take you along the coastline, to beautiful beaches and through Redwood forests. There are a number of state parks along the route and some of the best hikes include Salmon Creek Trail, Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, and Ragged Point Cliffside Trail.
San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.
Many people travel to San Francisco specifically to go shopping. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.
Big Sur has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some galleries and gift shops, but most visitors aren't in the area to go shopping.
You'll find a similar quality of terrific scenery and beauty in both Big Sur and San Francisco.
Many visitors also come to Big Sur because of it's amazing beauty. The road clings to the cliffs and makes dramatic curves, offering peaks at the striking blue water and breathtaking setting. This is truly one of those special places that feels unreal in its beauty.
You'll find world class beauty in San Francisco as well. With its dramatic Golden Gate Bridge, and the many beautiful hills with striking views of the city and bay, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.
San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for its family-friendly activities.
San Francisco is one of the most popular family destinations. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Big Sur is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the hiking and beaches, particularly the Carmel Lagoon at Carmel River State Beach. There are a number of state parks where kids can run around and stretch their legs.
Big Sur is an amazing natural area to visit for couples. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.
Big Sur has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Stunning viewpoints and breathtaking coastline make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are romantic inns and impressive hikes along the water's edge or through the dramatic Redwoods.
San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.
San Francisco is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.
It's common for backpackers to visit Big Sur. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.
San Francisco is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Big Sur is not popular with students.
San Francisco is very popular with students. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.
Big Sur is not popular with students.
San Francisco is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.
Visitors in San Francisco can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.
San Francisco is great for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.
San Francisco is a very walkable destination. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.
Big Sur is not a walkable natural area. While there are hiking trails, Big Sur is a stretch of road that runs along the coast and requires a car to fully access.
For even more information, also check out Is Big Sur Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.
Both Big Sur and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Big Sur. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Big Sur, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.
Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Big Sur. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Francisco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Francisco than Big Sur. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Francisco that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Big Sur if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Francisco.
Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the breathtaking destination of Big Sur. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Because San Francisco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Big Sur. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Because San Francisco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the remote destination of Big Sur. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This natural area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
San Francisco is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Francisco has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
You'll find food around the beautiful natural area of Big Sur. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. Because San Francisco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $256. 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 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.
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 San Francisco Expensive?.
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. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year. 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. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. 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. Many visitors come to Big Sur in the winter for the cuisine. 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. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. 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) |