A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlantic City vs. Santa Monica for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Food

Should you visit Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

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 Atlantic City and Santa Monica. 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.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a glitzy, flashy, and party-oriented city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a funfilled, energetic, and active town. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Atlantic City and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Monica. Although Atlantic City and Santa Monica are popular destinations, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is very popular for its museums & sights, food, beaches, and shopping, while Atlantic City attracts visitors for its nightlife and resorts. Atlantic City is famous for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Santa Monica is famous for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also well known for the Santa Monica Pier.

How is Atlantic City different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Monica is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Santa Monica is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Santa Monica is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Atlantic City has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Atlantic City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

Santa Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Santa Monica offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Santa Monica is very family-friendly. 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.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is well known for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Santa Monica frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City and Santa Monica are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. 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 Atlantic City or Santa Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atlantic City is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Atlantic City has a few public transit options. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

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 Atlantic City or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Atlantic City and Santa Monica both are superb when exploring on foot.

Atlantic City is very walkable. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlantic City and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Santa Monica has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Monica than Atlantic City. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Atlantic City. 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 Atlantic City. 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 Santa Monica than Atlantic City 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 Santa Monica.

One day in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

In Atlantic City, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this colorful city offers. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the funfilled destination of Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Atlantic City is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Monica. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

You'll find nightlife and food around the flashy destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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 energetic destination of Santa Monica. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Atlantic City is a popular place to visit. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Santa Monica?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Santa Monica. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Atlantic City is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlantic City in July average around 75°F (24°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Atlantic City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 56°F (13°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. Atlantic City is much colder than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Atlantic City during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

In the spring, Atlantic City is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlantic City in April average around 51°F (10°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Atlantic City