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

Should you visit Destin or Big Sur?

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 Destin and Big Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a relaxing, peaceful, and family-friendly beach town. Destin offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Destin travel costs.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a breathtaking, scenic, and remote natural area. You'll find world class beauty in Big Sur as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See Big Sur travel costs.

Destin and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Big Sur?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Big Sur than Destin, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Big Sur is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Destin is more popular for its resorts and shopping. Destin is well known for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Big Sur is well known for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. Also, Big Sur is famous for Bixby Bridge.

How is Destin different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Big Sur is not a good place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Destin and Big Sur.

Destin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

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 Destin or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

Neither Destin or Big Sur offer decent nightlife.

People don't go to Destin for the nightlife. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Big Sur doesn't offer many options. There's a taphouse and lounge, but the area is mostly undeveloped with no real nightlife.

Is Destin or Big Sur Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Destin. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Big Sur is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Destin and Big Sur are very good choices for a beach vacation.

Destin is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Big Sur. 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 Destin or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Destin 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.

Destin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Big Sur?

Destin is very good for its shopping areas. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for shopping.

Destin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that 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 Destin or Big Sur More Beautiful?

Big Sur is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Big Sur as well. 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.

Destin is a beautiful place to visit, too. With its powdery sand and the blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, this is a beautiful beach destination.

Is Destin or Big Sur Better for Families?

Destin 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 Destin. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

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 Destin or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is terrific for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit 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.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

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

Big Sur is very good for backpackers. However, Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Neither Destin or Big Sur offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

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

Is Destin or Big Sur a more walkable city?

Neither Destin or Big Sur are walkable places.

Destin is not a walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

Big Sur is not a very walkable beach town. 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 Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Destin?

How long in Destin or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Destin and Big Sur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Big Sur. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 1-3 days is enough time in Big Sur.

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

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Destin. 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 Destin 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 Destin or Big Sur?

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

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Big Sur. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Destin or Big Sur?

In Destin, you'll find shopping and food. 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.

Big Sur is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Destin or Big Sur?

Destin 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 Destin has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Big Sur. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Destin or Big Sur?

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

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the remote destination of Big Sur. This natural area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Destin as well as Big Sur. The summer months attract visitors to Destin because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In July, Destin is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 82°F (28°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Destin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Destin usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Destin is a little warmer than Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In October, Destin usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Destin or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Destin during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Destin for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the winter for the cuisine.

In the winter, Destin is around the same temperature as Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Destin in January average around 50°F (10°C), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Big Sur in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Big Sur. Many visitors come to Destin in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Destin is generally a little warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 68°F (20°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Destin usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 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 Destin