A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Clearwater vs. Saint Augustine for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

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 Clearwater and Saint Augustine. 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.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and relaxing coastal city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a historic, notable, and colonial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Clearwater and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Clearwater and Saint Augustine are both popular with visitors, Saint Augustine has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Augustine is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Clearwater is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Clearwater is popular for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports. Saint Augustine is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also home to the Colonial Quarter.

How is Clearwater different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

Both Clearwater and Saint Augustine have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Clearwater. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Saint Augustine offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Is the Food Better in Clearwater or Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Clearwater and Saint Augustine both to be great destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Clearwater makes for a great culinary experience. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Saint Augustine has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Clearwater and Saint Augustine.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Augustine. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Clearwater is a great destination for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Clearwater is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Clearwater is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Clearwater has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Clearwater is very popular for its beaches. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

The beaches in Clearwater are among the best in the world. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Clearwater does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Saint Augustine is revered around the world. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Clearwater does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is notable for shopping. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Clearwater. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Both Clearwater and Saint Augustine are great family-friendly destinations.

Clearwater is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Clearwater and Saint Augustine both great destinations for a couple.

Clearwater is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Saint Augustine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Clearwater and Saint Augustine offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Clearwater or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is notable for its walkability. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Clearwater is a somewhat walkable place. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Clearwater Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Clearwater?

How long in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Clearwater or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Clearwater due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Clearwater, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Clearwater 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 Saint Augustine.

One day in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

The adventure-filled destination of Clearwater offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the colonial city of Saint Augustine, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

The coastal city of Clearwater offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Saint Augustine, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

Clearwater is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Saint Augustine, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Clearwater. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Saint Augustine is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Saint Augustine, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Saint Augustine.

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

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater and Saint Augustine, 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 Clearwater or Saint Augustine?

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 Clearwater or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Saint Augustine. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Clearwater is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the summer. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Saint Augustine during summer. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Clearwater gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Clearwater or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Saint Augustine. Most visitors come to Clearwater for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Clearwater is a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Clearwater in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the autumn, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Saint Augustine. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets less rain in October than Saint Augustine. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Clearwater or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In January, Clearwater is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 60°F (15°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine during winter. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Clearwater or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Clearwater during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Clearwater is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the spring. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the spring, Clearwater often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Clearwater