Big Sur, USA

Big Sur sits in a mild oceanic climate in USA, and the 2015–2024 weather record gives its sunshine a clear shape: the August peak reaches a 100/100 sun score, with daytime highs around 22°C — a solid base for a trip built around landscapes and trails.

The year runs from average lows of 9°C in March to highs of 22°C in September. Rain is most likely in March, when about 40% of days see meaningful rainfall, and least likely in July (0%). Note that average highs never reach 24°C in any month — pack for mild weather rather than hot.

The seasonal arc is clear in the data: summer averages 21°C against winter's 15°C, while rain-day odds move from 31% in winter and 21% in spring to 1% in summer and 11% through autumn. In short: plan around summer if you can, keep autumn as the fallback, and go into winter with managed expectations (its season score is 56).

Best months to visit Big Sur

The best month on record is August — a 100/100 sun score, built on 36% cloud cover and 0% rain-day odds — followed by July and September. The dependable window is wider than the podium, though: April–November all score 70 or better. At the other end, January scores just 52, the weakest month of the year.

For context: in August, Big Sur is drier than 95% of the ocean destinations we track.

Month-by-month breakdown for Big Sur → · More destinations for August →

The live forecast backs this up: of the next 16 days, 5 look mostly clear and none carry meaningful rain risk, in a 11–29°C band. Today's cached sun score is 87/100.