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

Should you visit Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a relaxing, adventurous, and fun-filled beach town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Monica. Although Cocoa Beach 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, beaches, and shopping, while Cocoa Beach is known for its museums and resorts. Santa Monica is more touristy than Cocoa Beach and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Cocoa Beach is popular for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cocoa Beach is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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

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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica 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 Monica makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Santa Monica has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Cocoa Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Cocoa Beach makes a nice vacation spot. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

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

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.

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 the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

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 Monica Better for Families?

Both Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica are amazing family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is very family-friendly. 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.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Santa Monica is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica both superb destinations for a couple.

Cocoa Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Couples visit Santa Monica frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options 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.

Cocoa Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there aren't any hostels in the area, there are some affordable hotels away from the beach.

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

Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Cocoa Beach has a few 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).

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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

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

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 Monica Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Santa Monica. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Monica than Cocoa Beach. 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 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 Monica.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this fun-filled beach town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled town of Santa Monica. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica?

Cocoa Beach 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Santa Monica. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This 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 Monica?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this relaxing destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The active town of Santa Monica offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Monica?

Cocoa Beach 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Monica. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach.

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 Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica 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 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 Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Santa Monica. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

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

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

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

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

In the winter, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Santa Monica. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

In April, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Cocoa Beach