A Travel Price Comparison for California Berkeley vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or Santa Barbara, 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. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a pristine, affluent, and scenic coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Berkeley and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Berkeley and Santa Barbara are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Berkeley attracts visitors for its nightlife. Berkeley is famous for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. Santa Barbara is famous for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Berkeley different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Berkeley or Santa Barbara.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Berkeley can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Is the Food Better in Berkeley or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Berkeley and Santa Barbara.

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 Santa Barbara. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Berkeley is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is notable for its resorts. However, Berkeley is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Berkeley is not a resort destination.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a moderate coastal town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Berkeley is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Berkeley is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is renowned for the beach. However, Berkeley is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Santa Barbara are among the best in the world. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Berkeley is not a beach destination.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara offers a nice historic old town area. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Berkeley does not have a historic old town.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Berkeley is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santa Barbara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Berkeley is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Santa Barbara is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Barbara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Berkeley is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is renowned for couples. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Santa Barbara has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal 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.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Berkeley and Santa Barbara are both very good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Berkeley is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

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

Berkeley is renowned for its public transit. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit 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.

Santa Barbara has some public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is Berkeley or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Berkeley is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal 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.

Santa Barbara is very walkable. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Berkeley Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Berkeley?

How long in Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Berkeley and Santa Barbara. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Barbara than Berkeley. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Berkeley. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berkeley. 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.

Santa Barbara is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Barbara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse destination of Berkeley. This city 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.

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Berkeley. 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.

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkeley and Santa Barbara, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara.

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

Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

Berkeley has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?

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 Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Berkeley in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Berkeley is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

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

Should I visit Berkeley or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and Berkeley during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Berkeley usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkeley or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Santa Barbara. The winter months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In January, Berkeley is generally around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 50°F (10°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Berkeley usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Berkeley or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Santa Barbara. The natural beauty are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Berkeley is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Berkeley usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Berkeley