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

Should you visit Gainesville or Big Sur?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville 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.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a high energy, active, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Gainesville 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.

Gainesville and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Big Sur?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Big Sur than Gainesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Big Sur is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Gainesville is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Big Sur is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its beautiful state parks, dramatic coastal cliffs, and world class views. Also, Big Sur is famous for Bixby Bridge. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Gainesville is great for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Gainesville specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

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 Gainesville or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Gainesville and Big Sur offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Gainesville offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

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 Gainesville or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Gainesville for the nightlife scene. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

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 Gainesville or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is notable for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

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.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is Gainesville or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

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

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Big Sur?

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

Gainesville has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

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 Gainesville or Big Sur More Beautiful?

Big Sur is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Gainesville is not a destination known for its 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.

Gainesville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Gainesville or Big Sur Better for Families?

Gainesville and Big Sur are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Gainesville is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

Big Sur is a family-friendly city. 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 Gainesville or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is very popular for romance. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Big Sur has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Gainesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

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

Big Sur is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Gainesville is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Gainesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many travelers, but there are some cheap motels where budget travelers can stay.

Is Gainesville or Big Sur Better for Students?

Gainesville is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Big Sur is not popular with students.

Gainesville is very popular with students. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Big Sur is not popular with students.

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

Gainesville is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Gainesville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Big Sur. There is no real public transportation in the area.

Is Gainesville or Big Sur a more walkable city?

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

Gainesville is a somewhat walkable city. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

Big Sur is not a walkable city. 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 Gainesville Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Big Sur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Gainesville and Big Sur. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Big Sur than in Gainesville. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Gainesville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Big Sur.

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

Couples should spend more time in Big Sur than Gainesville. 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.

One day in Gainesville or Big Sur?

In Gainesville, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the scenic natural area of Big Sur. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this natural area has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Gainesville or Big Sur?

In Gainesville, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Gainesville has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the scenic destination of Big Sur. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This natural area offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Gainesville or Big Sur?

Gainesville is a great place to explore. 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.

The breathtaking natural area of Big Sur offers food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Gainesville or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gainesville. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Gainesville. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Big Sur. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Big Sur. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Big Sur in the Autumn?

Both Big Sur and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the cuisine.

In the winter, Gainesville is a little warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Big Sur in the Spring?

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

In April, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Gainesville