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

Should you visit Duck Key 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 Duck Key and Big Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or Big Sur?

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Duck Key or Big Sur?

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 Duck Key or Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Big Sur. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In the summer, Duck Key is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Duck Key or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Big Sur. Additionally, many travelers come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Duck Key usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck Key or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the winter for the cuisine.

Duck Key is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Big Sur. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck Key or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Duck Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Duck Key is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Duck Key usually gets less rain in April than Big Sur. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Duck Key