A Travel Price Comparison for California Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Santa Barbara for Beaches, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara?

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 Santa Barbara 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 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, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is very popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its small town charm. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Santa Barbara 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 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.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. 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.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

In Santa Barbara, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

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

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a moderate coastal town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is renowned for the beach. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Santa Barbara is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Many people visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for it's beautiful 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.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

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

Around Santa Barbara visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town 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 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara 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.

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.

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 Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is renowned for couples. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

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

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

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with good options for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

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

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara both are excellent 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.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara.

One day in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara?

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Santa Barbara, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.

A weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the stunning coastal town of Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the affluent destination of Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Santa Barbara?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

Santa Barbara is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This coastal 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 Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Barbara?

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

Both Santa Barbara and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

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

Both Santa Barbara and Carmel-by-the-Sea during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 51°F (11°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as Santa Barbara. The spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santa Barbara. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea