Big Sur vs Mammoth Lakes: which is better, month by month

Big Sur beats Mammoth Lakes in 8 of 12 months — its lead peaks in August (89 vs 16) — while Mammoth Lakes wins December to March.

Each place is scored under the lens that suits its type — they are different kinds of destination, so the scores are each place at its own best. Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 estimate from ERA5 climate normals, not a forecast.

Big Sur

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: August 89/100
Months won: 8 of 12

Mammoth Lakes

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: February 89/100
Months won: 4 of 12

Big Sur vs Mammoth Lakes — all 12 months

Month	Big Sur	Mammoth Lakes	Winner	Gap
January	57Dcool, rainy, clean air	86Acold, rainy, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	29
February	65Cnice, rainy, clean air	89Acold, rainy, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	24
March	68Cnice, rainy, clean air	84Acold, rainy, reliable snow	Mammoth Lakes	16
April	78Bnice, dry, clean air	57Dcold, a little rain, reliable snow	Big Sur	21
May	80Anice, dry, clean air	34Fcool, a little rain	Big Sur	46
June	84Awarm, dry, clean air	12Fnice, dry	Big Sur	72
July	86Awarm, dry, clean air	14Fwarm, dry	Big Sur	72
August	89Ahot, dry, clean air	16Fwarm, dry, clean air	Big Sur	73
September	87Awarm, dry, clean air	19Fnice, dry, clean air	Big Sur	68
October	83Awarm, dry, clean air	26Fcool, dry, clean air	Big Sur	57
November	71Bnice, a little rain, clean air	64Ccold, a little rain, clean air	Big Sur	7
December	59Dnice, rainy, clean air	82Acold, rainy, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	23

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is August (89 vs 16). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.