A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Woodstock vs. Big Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Woodstock or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Woodstock 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.

Where Should I go: Woodstock or Big Sur?

Woodstock

While this town does lend its name to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the legendary event was actually held on a dairy farm almost 60 miles away in Bethel, NY. So if you are looking to see the field where it all happened and a museum dedicated to its history, you will need to take a day trip outside of town.

Woodstock, New York, however, does stay true to the spirit of the arts. Since 1903, the place lay home to Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the oldest of its kind in the nation, and even attracted artists of the Hudson River School during the late 1800s. Today, artists from all disciplines-visual, ceramic, music, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry-take up residence at the colony and have works displayed in galleries open in the main part of town.

Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road are lined with a mix of restaurants and shops all teeming with the essence of hippie living, arts, and spirituality. From shops selling Woodstock paraphernalia, incense, and Himalayan products, to yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and local art galleries-the town of Woodstock is one dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Woodstock Festival and the arts alive.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Woodstock as well as Big Sur. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Woodstock is generally a little warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 74°F (24°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Woodstock usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Woodstock gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Woodstock or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Woodstock are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Woodstock is cooler than Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Woodstock averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Woodstock gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Woodstock or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Woodstock during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Woodstock can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Woodstock is much colder than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Woodstock in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Woodstock usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Woodstock gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Woodstock or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Woodstock and Big Sur. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Woodstock is generally cooler than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Woodstock average around 49°F (10°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Woodstock usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Woodstock gets 3.7 inches (95 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 Woodstock