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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Big Sur?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Big Sur. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a breathtaking, scenic, and remote natural area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Saint Louis and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Big Sur?

Both Big Sur and Saint Louis have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Saint Louis is better known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Big Sur is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Big Sur is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Saint Louis different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Louis 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, Saint Louis has many famous sights for visitors. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Big Sur can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Big Sur has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Saint Louis or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

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 Saint Louis or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is well known for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Big Sur for it's beautiful 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.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Louis or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

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

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Big Sur?

Saint Louis is great for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Saint Louis or Big Sur Better for Families?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

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 Saint Louis or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is an amazing natural area to visit for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Big Sur is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Saint Louis or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Sur is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

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

Saint Louis is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Saint Louis. There's a light rail system as well as 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 Saint Louis or Big Sur a more walkable city?

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

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Big Sur?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Saint Louis. 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 Big Sur than Saint Louis 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 Big Sur.

One day in Saint Louis or Big Sur?

In Saint Louis, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the remote 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 Saint Louis or Big Sur?

In Saint Louis, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the scenic 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 Saint Louis or Big Sur?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

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

Both Big Sur and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Big Sur. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Big Sur. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the cuisine.

Saint Louis can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In April, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 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 Saint Louis