A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Santa Monica for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Charlottesville and Santa Monica. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Charlottesville and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Monica than Charlottesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Monica is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville is more popular for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Santa Monica is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. Also, Santa Monica is famous for the Santa Monica Pier. Charlottesville is well known for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Monica and Charlottesville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Charlottesville and Santa Monica.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. 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 Charlottesville or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Monica has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a great town for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Santa Monica has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is terrific for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its old town. However, Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Charlottesville to see the old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a great town for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Santa Monica does not offer Christmas activities.

Charlottesville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Santa Monica does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Santa Monica is very family-friendly. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is a great town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Santa Monica is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Charlottesville is a good university town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Santa Monica. 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.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Santa Monica Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville is a moderate university town for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

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 Charlottesville or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is a great town for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Santa Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

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

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The active destination of Santa Monica offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Charlottesville is a fun place to experience. 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.

The town of Santa Monica offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Charlottesville is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

Santa Monica is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Charlottesville is a popular place to visit. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Monica. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Santa Monica?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Charlottesville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Charlottesville is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Charlottesville is cooler than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlottesville in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

In October, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Charlottesville is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 36°F (2°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

Charlottesville is cooler than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Charlottesville