A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Big Sur vs. Hope for Couples, Hiking, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Big Sur or Hope?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Hope can help you decide which place is right for you.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a breathtaking, scenic, and remote natural area. Many visitors also come to Big Sur because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking. See Big Sur travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a local, small, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Big Sur and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Big Sur or Hope?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Big Sur than Hope, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Big Sur is better known for its food, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Hope is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Big Sur is more touristy than Hope and is known for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. Also, Big Sur is famous for Bixby Bridge. Hope is well known for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Big Sur different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hope 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 Hope specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope 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 Big Sur or Hope? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Big Sur is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Hope is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Big Sur or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Hope is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for nightlife.

Hope doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

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 Big Sur or Hope Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is a great natural area for its beaches. However, Hope is not a beach destination.

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.

Hope is not a beach destination.

Is Big Sur or Hope Better for Hiking?

You'll find very good hiking in both Big Sur and Hope.

Many visitors go to Big Sur for the hiking trails. 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.

Hope is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Is the Shopping Better in Big Sur or Hope?

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

Hope has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

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 Big Sur or Hope More Beautiful?

Big Sur is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Big Sur because of it's amazing beauty. The road clings to the cliffs and makes dramatic curves, offering peaks at the striking blue water and breathtaking setting. This is truly one of those special places that feels unreal in its beauty.

Hope is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Big Sur or Hope Better for Families?

Hope 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 Hope. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

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 Big Sur or Hope Better for Couples?

Big Sur is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Hope is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Big Sur has plenty to offer. 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.

Hope is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

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

Hope is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Big Sur is not as popular, but is still a nice natural area for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hope. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

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

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

Neither Big Sur or Hope offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Big Sur or Hope a more walkable city?

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

Hope is generally not a very walkable town. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

Big Sur is not a walkable natural area. 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 Big Sur Worth Visiting? and Is Hope Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hope or Big Sur?

How long in Big Sur or Hope?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Big Sur and Hope. In our opinion, Hope has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hope than Big Sur. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Big Sur, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hope.

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

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

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

One day in Big Sur or Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Big Sur. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Hope, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Big Sur or Hope?

Big Sur is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Hope, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hope has to offer.

Five days in Big Sur or Hope?

You'll find food around the breathtaking destination of Big Sur. This natural area offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

A week in Big Sur or Hope?

The breathtaking natural area of Big Sur offers food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hope. Many people enjoy the when visiting Hope. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

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

When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Hope?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Sur or Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hope this time of year.

In the summer, Big Sur is around the same temperature as Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Hope. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Big Sur or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Big Sur during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Big Sur is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Sur or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Hope. Many travelers come to Big Sur for the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hope in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hope can get quite cold in the winter. Big Sur is much warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Hope. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Big Sur or Hope in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Hope. Many visitors come to Big Sur in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Big Sur is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hope and Big Sur