Big Sur vs San Francisco: which is better, month by month

San Francisco beats Big Sur in all 12 months — its lead peaks in January (68 vs 57).

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
0 of 12

San Francisco

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month
September 96/100
Months won
12 of 12

Big Sur vs San Francisco — all 12 months

MonthBig SurSan FranciscoWinnerGap
January57Dcool, rainy, clean air68Ccool, rainy, clean airSan Francisco11
February65Cnice, rainy, clean air75Bcool, rainy, muggy airSan Francisco10
March68Cnice, rainy, clean air76Bcool, rainy, clean airSan Francisco8
April78Bnice, dry, clean air85Anice, a little rain, clean airSan Francisco7
May80Anice, dry, clean air88Anice, dry, clean airSan Francisco8
June84Awarm, dry, clean air92Snice, dry, clean airSan Francisco8
July86Awarm, dry, clean air93Snice, dry, clean airSan Francisco7
August89Ahot, dry, clean air95Snice, dry, clean airSan Francisco6
September87Awarm, dry, clean air96Snice, dry, clean airSan Francisco9
October83Awarm, dry, clean air90Snice, dry, clean airSan Francisco7
November71Bnice, a little rain, clean air80Anice, a little rain, clean airSan Francisco9
December59Dnice, rainy, clean air67Ccool, rainy, clean airSan Francisco8

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is January (57 vs 68). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.