A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Big Sur for Families, Couples, Beaches, and Food

Should you visit Ocean City or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Ocean City 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.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a energetic, fun-filled, and laid back city. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a remote, breathtaking, and scenic natural area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Ocean City and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Big Sur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ocean City. Although Ocean City and Big Sur are popular destinations, Ocean City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ocean City is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Big Sur attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Ocean City is more touristy than Big Sur and is popular for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. It is also well known for the Ocean City boardwalk. Big Sur is famous for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views.

How is Ocean City different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ocean City is adequate for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

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 Ocean City or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ocean City and Big Sur both to be nice destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ocean City area. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

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 Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Ocean City for the nightlife scene. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

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 Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is great for its luxury resorts. However, Big Sur is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Ocean City. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Big Sur is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ocean City and Big Sur are great choices.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

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.

Is Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

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.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Big Sur?

Ocean City is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Ocean City has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

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 Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Families?

Ocean City 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.

Ocean City is one of the most popular family destinations. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

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 Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Ocean City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

Is Ocean City or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Sur is a popular place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city 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.

Ocean City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in the area, but there are some affordable motels if you look beyond the beachfront properties.

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

Ocean City 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 Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

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

Is Ocean City or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Ocean City is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its walkability.

Ocean City is generally not a very walkable city. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

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 Ocean City Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ocean City and Big Sur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than in Big Sur. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 1-3 days is enough time in Big Sur.

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

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

One day in Ocean City or Big Sur?

In Ocean City, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Ocean City or Big Sur?

In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Ocean City or Big Sur?

Ocean City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ocean City has to offer. 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 Ocean City or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ocean City. In Ocean City, you'll find food and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Big Sur. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Ocean City is a little warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ocean City 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, Ocean City is cooler than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Ocean City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Ocean City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Big Sur. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 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 Ocean City