A Travel Price Comparison for California Big Sur vs. Santa Cruz for Couples, Beaches, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a breathtaking, scenic, and remote natural area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Big Sur and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Big Sur, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Big Sur is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Big Sur is well known for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. Santa Cruz is well known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf.

How is Big Sur different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz and Big Sur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is very good for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Cruz. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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.

Is the Food Better in Big Sur or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Big Sur and Santa Cruz can be an enjoyable experience.

Big Sur is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most of the restaurants offer a breathtaking view. Many use locally-sourced ingredients and they range in style from fine dining to casual eateries.

Santa Cruz offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is great for its evening party scene. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Santa Cruz for the nightlife scene. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

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.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Big Sur and Santa Cruz are great 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 Santa Cruz. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is very good for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Santa Cruz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best 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.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Cruz. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

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.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Big Sur is very popular for romance. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Big Sur makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Big Sur and Santa Cruz are notable places to visit.

Big Sur is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Cruz is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.

Is Big Sur or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.

Santa Cruz is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Big Sur?

How long in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Big Sur or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Big Sur than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Big Sur, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Big Sur. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Cruz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

One day in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

With food around the remote natural area of Big Sur, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Big Sur, one day is sufficent for most.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

With food around the destination of Big Sur, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this natural area.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer.

Five days in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

Big Sur, a popular natural area, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

Big Sur is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 Santa Cruz, we can see that Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Santa Cruz?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Sur or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Big Sur during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Big Sur is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in July than Santa Cruz. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Sur or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Santa Cruz. The autumn months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In October, Big Sur is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Sur or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Santa Cruz. The cuisine are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Big Sur is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Sur or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Big Sur is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Big Sur usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Big Sur