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

Should you visit Dayton or Big Sur?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Big Sur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dayton or Big Sur?

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Big Sur. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dayton is a little warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Dayton usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In the autumn, Dayton is cooler than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dayton or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Dayton during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. In January, Dayton is generally much colder than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Dayton usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Big Sur. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Dayton is around the same temperature as Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 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 Dayton