A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Ketchikan for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

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

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

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

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ketchikan than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ketchikan is better known for its food and hiking, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its beaches, shopping, and small town charm. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Ketchikan is well known for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Also, Ketchikan is famous for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.

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

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ketchikan.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Ketchikan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.

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

Ketchikan is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Ketchikan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ketchikan Better for Nightlife?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan are respectable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Carmel-by-the-Sea specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for its beaches. However, Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Ketchikan is not a beach destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ketchikan Better for Hiking?

Ketchikan is renowned for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Around Ketchikan visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is notable for shopping. Also, Ketchikan is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ketchikan. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.

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

Ketchikan is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Ketchikan is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ketchikan Better for Couples?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

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.

Ketchikan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.

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

Ketchikan is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ketchikan is a good town to visit for backpackers. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan offer respectable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Ketchikan is very walkable. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.

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

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

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan.

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

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ketchikan, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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.

With shopping and museums around the local town of Ketchikan, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Ketchikan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Ketchikan is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town 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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Ketchikan Expensive?.

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

Ketchikan has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ketchikan?

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

Both Ketchikan and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a little warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 58°F (15°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In July, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Ketchikan and Carmel-by-the-Sea during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 62°F (17°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in October than Ketchikan. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ketchikan. The winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ketchikan in the winter. Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Ketchikan in the winter. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).

Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as Ketchikan. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 44°F (6°C).

It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in April than Ketchikan. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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