A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Santa Barbara for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

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 Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara. 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a stunning, wealthy, and opulent coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is famous for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. 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 Cocoa Beach different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Santa Barbara and Cocoa Beach.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Santa Barbara makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Santa Barbara has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Santa Barbara to choose from. 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.

Cocoa Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cocoa Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling 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.

Cocoa Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is very popular for the beach. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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

Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Cocoa Beach does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara has an old town worth visiting. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Cocoa Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Santa Barbara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Santa Barbara specifically to go shopping. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for shopping. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is very popular for couples. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Santa Barbara is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Couples visit Cocoa Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

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

Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara.

Cocoa Beach has some public transit options. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

You'll find some public transit in Santa Barbara, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Cocoa Beach is somewhat walkable. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Cocoa Beach. 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 Cocoa Beach. 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 Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Cocoa Beach. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic coastal town of Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the opulent destination of Santa Barbara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The wealthy coastal town of Santa Barbara offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the beach town of Cocoa Beach. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara?

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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Santa Barbara. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Cocoa Beach