A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chapel Hill vs. Big Sur for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Big Sur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a remote, breathtaking, and scenic natural area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Chapel Hill and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Big Sur. Although Chapel Hill and Big Sur are popular destinations, Big Sur has more sights and attractions for tourists. Big Sur is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Chapel Hill attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Big Sur is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is popular for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. It is also well known for Bixby Bridge. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

Chapel Hill is great for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Chapel Hill specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball 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.

Is the Food Better in Chapel Hill or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Chapel Hill and Big Sur offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chapel Hill area. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Big Sur. Most of the restaurants offer a breathtaking view. Many use locally-sourced ingredients and they range in style from fine dining to casual eateries.

Is Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Chapel Hill for the nightlife scene. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

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 Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is well known for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Big Sur is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Big Sur. 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.

Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

Chapel Hill is very good for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Chapel Hill has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

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 Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chapel Hill or Big Sur.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chapel Hill. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Big Sur offers lots of family activities. 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 Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is very popular for couples. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Is Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Sur is a popular place for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Big Sur. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.

Chapel Hill is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a young population thanks to the university, but there's little else to attract backpackers.

Is Chapel Hill or Big Sur Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Big Sur is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Chapel Hill. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Big Sur is not popular with students.

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

Chapel Hill is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Chapel Hill offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

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

Is Chapel Hill or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.

Chapel Hill is a somewhat walkable town. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

Big Sur is not a walkable town. 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 Chapel Hill Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chapel Hill and Big Sur. In our opinion, Chapel Hill has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Chapel Hill than Big Sur. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Chapel Hill. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Big Sur that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

In Chapel Hill, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the breathtaking natural area of Big Sur. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this natural area has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

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

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the breathtaking destination of Big Sur. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This natural area offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

Chapel Hill is a great place to explore. 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.

The remote natural area of Big Sur offers food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chapel Hill. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chapel Hill. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Big Sur. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Chapel Hill or Big Sur?

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 Chapel Hill or Big Sur in the Summer?

Both Big Sur and Chapel Hill during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chapel Hill is much warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Big Sur. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Big Sur. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Chapel Hill can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally much colder than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Chapel Hill