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

Should you visit Cincinnati or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a authentic, hard-working, and blue collar city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a scenic, remote, and breathtaking natural area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

Cincinnati and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Big Sur. Although Cincinnati and Big Sur are both popular with visitors, Big Sur has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Big Sur is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Cincinnati is known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Big Sur is more touristy than Cincinnati and is popular for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. It is also home to Bixby Bridge. Cincinnati is popular for its breweries and down-to-earth personality.

How is Cincinnati different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Many visitors head to Cincinnati specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

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 Cincinnati or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Big Sur is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Is Cincinnati or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

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 Cincinnati or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is well known for the beache. However, Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati is not a beach destination.

Is Cincinnati or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

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

Cincinnati has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.

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 Cincinnati or Big Sur Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cincinnati or Big Sur.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cincinnati. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

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 Cincinnati or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Cincinnati or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cincinnati and Big Sur are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cincinnati. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

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.

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

Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

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

Is Cincinnati or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Cincinnati is great for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.

Cincinnati is a very walkable destination. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

Big Sur is not a walkable city. 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 Cincinnati Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Cincinnati?

How long in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cincinnati and Big Sur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Big Sur than in Cincinnati. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cincinnati, and 1-3 days is enough time in Big Sur.

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Cincinnati. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.

One day in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

In Cincinnati, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With food around the scenic 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.

A weekend in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

In Cincinnati, you'll find nightlife 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 Cincinnati has to offer.

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.

Five days in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

Cincinnati 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.

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.

A week in Cincinnati or Big Sur?

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

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.

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.

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

When is the best time to visit Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati or Big Sur in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Cincinnati is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cincinnati in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Big Sur. Many travelers come to Cincinnati 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 October, Cincinnati is generally cooler than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 58°F (15°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Big Sur in the Winter?

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

Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. Cincinnati is much colder than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Cincinnati usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Big Sur. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Cincinnati 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.

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

In April, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 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 Cincinnati