A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Santa Monica for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Arlington or Santa Monica?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Santa Monica, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arlington

Arlington is a historical, educational, and international city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Santa Monica?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Monica than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is more popular for its beaches and shopping, while Arlington is known for its museums. Santa Monica is more touristy than Arlington and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Arlington is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Arlington different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Monica and Arlington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Santa Monica?

Arlington is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Arlington offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Arlington and Santa Monica.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Santa Monica makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Santa Monica have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

The people in Santa Monica know how to have a good time. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is terrific for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Santa Monica are among the best in the world. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santa Monica. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Arlington is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Arlington is notable for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Arlington is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit in Arlington is top-notch. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Is Arlington or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Arlington and Santa Monica are very good when it comes to walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Santa Monica is very walkable. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Santa Monica. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Monica than Arlington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Monica that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Santa Monica 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Santa Monica?

In Arlington, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this educational city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Monica. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Monica has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Santa Monica?

Arlington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Santa Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the international destination of Arlington. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled town of Santa Monica. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Santa Monica?

Arlington is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Santa Monica, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Santa Monica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Monica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Monica 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Santa Monica.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arlington Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Santa Monica?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Santa Monica, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Arlington or Santa Monica?

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 Arlington or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Arlington is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 79°F (26°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the shopping scene.

Arlington is cooler than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

In October, Arlington usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. In the winter, Arlington is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arlington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Arlington usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Santa Monica. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches.

In April, Arlington is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 56°F (14°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Arlington usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Arlington