A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbus vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Columbus or Santa Barbara?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Barbara? 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.

Columbus

Columbus is a authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a affluent, scenic, and stunning coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Columbus and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Barbara than Columbus. While Columbus is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Columbus and is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Columbus different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Columbus offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

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

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Barbara. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Columbus and Santa Barbara.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbus. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

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 Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Columbus is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Columbus is not a resort destination.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Columbus 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.

Columbus is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Columbus is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Barbara. 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.

Columbus is not a beach destination.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

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

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

Columbus does not have a historic old town.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Columbus is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Santa Barbara. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Columbus offers some nice shopping areas. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbus or Santa Barbara.

Columbus is a very family-friendly destination. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

Santa Barbara is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

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

Santa Barbara is a very popular coastal town for students and younger travelers. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Columbus is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Santa Barbara has some public transit options. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Is Columbus or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Columbus is a somewhat walkable place. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Santa Barbara?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the friendly destination of Columbus. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbus or Santa Barbara?

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

Santa Barbara is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Barbara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbus. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Santa Barbara 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 Columbus or Santa Barbara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Columbus. 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.

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When comparing the travel costs between Columbus 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 Columbus Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Santa Barbara?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Columbus 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 Columbus 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 Columbus or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Santa Barbara. The summer months attract visitors to Columbus because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In July, Columbus is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Columbus this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Columbus is cooler than Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Columbus usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Columbus during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Columbus for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbus. In the winter, Columbus is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Columbus usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Santa Barbara. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Columbus is generally cooler than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Columbus usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Columbus