A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John vs. Big Sur for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John or Big Sur?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint John and Big Sur. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Saint John or Big Sur?

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John and Big Sur, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Big Sur?

Big Sur has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Sur in the Summer?

Both Big Sur and Saint John during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Big Sur in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint John is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Saint John usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint John is much warmer than Big Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Sur in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Big Sur. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint John is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Big Sur averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Big Sur. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.

In April, Saint John is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Saint John usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Saint John