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

Should you visit Columbus or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Cruz? 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. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Columbus and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbus or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Santa Cruz than Columbus. While Columbus is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Columbus and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf. Columbus is popular for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Columbus different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Columbus or Santa Cruz.

Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

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

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Santa Cruz. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

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 Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Santa Cruz has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Columbus has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Is Columbus or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Columbus is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Columbus is not a beach destination.

Is Columbus or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Columbus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbus or Santa Cruz?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Columbus and Santa Cruz.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbus. 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.

Santa Cruz offers some nice shopping areas. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Columbus or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

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

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 Cruz is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Columbus or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a very popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

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 Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Columbus is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there is a hostel in town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Columbus and Santa Cruz.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Columbus or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Santa Cruz. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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 Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Columbus?

How long in Columbus or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Columbus or Santa Cruz to fill your time. In our opinion, Santa Cruz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Cruz than Columbus. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz.

One day in Columbus or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Columbus, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Columbus, one day is sufficent for most.

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Columbus or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Columbus, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Santa Cruz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Cruz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbus or Santa Cruz?

Columbus, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz 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 Cruz?

Columbus 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.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbus and Santa Cruz, we can see that Columbus is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Columbus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbus than you might in Santa Cruz.

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 Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbus or Santa Cruz?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz?

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 Cruz in the Summer?

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

Columbus is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz 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 Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Columbus is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbus in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Columbus usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbus. In January, Columbus is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 30°F (-1°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Columbus usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbus or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

Columbus is cooler than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Columbus usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Columbus