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

Should you visit New Bern or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Big Sur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern travel costs.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a breathtaking, scenic, and remote natural area. The famous beauty of Big Sur is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See Big Sur travel costs.

New Bern and Big Sur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Big Sur?

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

How is New Bern different from Big Sur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Bern is very good for its historical sights. However, Big Sur is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around New Bern. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy 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 New Bern or Big Sur? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Big Sur can be an enjoyable experience.

New Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

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 New Bern or Big Sur Better for Nightlife?

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

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

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 New Bern or Big Sur Better for Beaches?

Big Sur is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Big Sur is considered a top beach destination. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Big Sur Better for Hiking?

Big Sur is well known for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Big Sur. 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Big Sur?

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

New Bern has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

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 New Bern or Big Sur More Beautiful?

Big Sur is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Big Sur is one of the main draws. 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.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Big Sur Better for Families?

Big Sur is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Big Sur. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Big Sur Better for Couples?

Big Sur is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Big Sur makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is New Bern or Big Sur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Sur is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Big Sur. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but budget travelers often prefer vacation rentals, which are more common.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

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

Neither New Bern or Big Sur offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

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

Is New Bern or Big Sur a more walkable city?

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

New Bern is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

Big Sur is not a walkable 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 New Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Sur or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Big Sur?

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

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

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

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful natural area of Big Sur offers food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in New Bern or Big Sur?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 New Bern has to offer.

Big Sur is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this natural area makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Big Sur, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Big Sur?

New Bern 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.

Big Sur is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in New Bern or Big Sur?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Big Sur is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This natural area offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Both Big Sur and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Bern is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Big Sur. Many travelers come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Big Sur. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Big Sur. Many visitors come to New Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, New Bern is much colder than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives more rain than Big Sur. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 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 New Bern