A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dallas vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque, quaint, and charming town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dallas. Although Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea are both popular with visitors, Dallas has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dallas is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Dallas different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dallas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Dallas is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dallas. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Dallas offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb shopping destinations.

Dallas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Dallas is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Both Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Dallas is a very popular place to visit for couples. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dallas is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Dallas has a few public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable town. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Dallas than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dallas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dallas than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Dallas.

One day in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Dallas, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the upscale city of Dallas, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the upscale destination of Dallas. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Dallas is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dallas Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dallas is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July average around 88°F (31°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, Dallas usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dallas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Dallas is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dallas is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the spring, Dallas is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dallas