A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Monterey for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Columbia or Monterey?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Monterey? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Monterey

Monterey is a relaxing, nature-oriented, and laid back city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Columbia and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Monterey?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Monterey. Although Columbia and Monterey are both popular with visitors, Monterey has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Monterey is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Monterey?

Monterey is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Monterey offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Monterey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Monterey is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Monterey. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Monterey offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Columbia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Monterey has a few good snorkeling spots. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Columbia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Monterey is a popular place for the beache. However, Columbia is not a beach destination.

Monterey is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Columbia is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Monterey?

Monterey is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Monterey is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Families?

Monterey is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Monterey is a very family-friendly destination. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Couples?

Monterey is a well-known place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Monterey is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Monterey is a popular place for backpackers. However, Columbia is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Monterey. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

Columbia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not an expensive place to visit, there is little in the area to attract backpackers.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Students?

Columbia is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Monterey is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Monterey is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Monterey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Monterey offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Columbia or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Monterey is a very walkable city. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Monterey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Monterey?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Monterey than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Monterey that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Monterey than Columbia 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 Monterey.

One day in Columbia or Monterey?

The city of Columbia offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Monterey offers museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Monterey?

Columbia is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Columbia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Monterey is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Monterey, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Monterey?

Columbia is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Monterey is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Monterey?

Columbia is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Monterey is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Monterey?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Monterey, 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 Columbia or Monterey?

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 Columbia or Monterey in the Summer?

Both Monterey and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbia is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Monterey averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Monterey. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

In October, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Monterey. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Monterey. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Monterey in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Monterey. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia is cooler than Monterey in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Monterey. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Columbia is a little warmer than Monterey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Monterey averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, Columbia usually receives more rain than Monterey. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Columbia