A Travel Price Comparison for California Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

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

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 Monica 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 picturesque, quaint, and charming town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

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

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Monica. Although Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Monica are both popular with visitors, Santa Monica has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Monica is more popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Carmel-by-the-Sea is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Carmel-by-the-Sea different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

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.

Is the Food Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Monica? 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 Monica.

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 Monica. 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.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

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

Santa Monica offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

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 Monica Better for Beaches?

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

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 the Shopping Better in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Monica?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Monica are excellent shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Monica. 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.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

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 Monica Better for Couples?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Monica are excellent 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.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

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

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

Santa Monica is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

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 Santa Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a moderate town for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

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.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Monica 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 Monica is very walkable. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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

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

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

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Santa Monica has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica than Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 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 Monica.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Santa Monica, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With museums and nightlife around the funfilled town of Santa Monica, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Monica?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 lively destination of Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Monica?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. 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 Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 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 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 Monica Expensive?.

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

Santa Monica 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 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

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

Both Santa Monica 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene during these months.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is cooler than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the winter, Carmel-by-the-Sea is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

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

In April, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 56°F (13°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea