A Travel Price Comparison for California Berkeley vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. Berkeley offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Berkeley travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Berkeley attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Berkeley is famous for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course.

How is Berkeley different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkeley. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Berkeley is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Dining out in Berkeley is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Berkeley is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Berkeley offers plenty to do in the evening. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for the beach. However, Berkeley is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Berkeley is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea are high quality shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for its scenery and beauty. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Berkeley is a gorgeous place to visit. It has a nice campus and a unique setting that mixes an urban environment with a bayside location.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Berkeley is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Berkeley is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for couples. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Berkeley is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

Berkeley is a well-known place for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berkeley is renowned for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Berkeley has a great public transit system. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Berkeley is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Berkeley on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Berkeley Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Berkeley?

How long in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Berkeley has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Berkeley than Carmel-by-the-Sea. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Berkeley, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Berkeley. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Berkeley.

One day in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the progressive city of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse destination of Berkeley. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Berkeley is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkeley Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Berkeley has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Berkeley is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Berkeley usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkeley during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Berkeley is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Berkeley in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Berkeley usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Berkeley in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Berkeley is generally around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 50°F (10°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Berkeley usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Berkeley or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Berkeley for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Berkeley is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Berkeley usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Berkeley