A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Duck or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Duck or Santa Monica? 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.

Duck

Duck is a compact, charming, and laid-back beach town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. 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 hiking.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Duck and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Duck or Santa Monica?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Monica. Although Duck and Santa Monica are popular destinations, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is very popular for its museums, food, and nightlife, while Duck attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Duck and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also well known for the Santa Monica Pier. Duck is famous for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm.

How is Duck different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Duck or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

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

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.

Is the Food Better in Duck or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Duck has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

Is Duck or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Duck is not a good beach town for nightlife and partying.

Santa Monica offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Duck. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Is Duck or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

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

With a selection of resorts, Duck makes a nice vacation spot. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is Duck or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Duck and Santa Monica are first-rate choices.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Duck. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Is Duck or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Duck is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Duck is a good destination for hiking. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or Santa Monica?

Both Duck and Santa Monica are high quality shopping destinations.

Duck is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Duck or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Duck is very family-friendly. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

Is Duck or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Duck and Santa Monica make for a high quality place to visit.

Duck is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Duck or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a popular place for backpackers. However, Duck is not a good beach town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Duck is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's an upscale town with many beach houses available for rent, and very little in the form of budget accommodation.

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

Duck is a moderate beach town for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit is generally limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

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 Duck or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Duck is an amazing beach town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Duck on foot. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Duck Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Duck?

How long in Duck or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Duck and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Duck than in Santa Monica. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica than Duck 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 Duck or Santa Monica?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Duck or Santa Monica?

Duck is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Santa Monica is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Duck or Santa Monica?

Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Santa Monica. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or Santa Monica?

Duck is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The active town of Santa Monica offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Duck and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Duck Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Duck or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck 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 Duck or Santa Monica?

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 Duck or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Duck because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In the summer, Duck is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Duck. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Duck or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Duck during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.

In October, Duck is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 62°F (16°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Duck usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Santa Monica. Many travelers come to Duck for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Duck. Duck is much colder than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Duck as well as Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Duck in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Duck is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).

Duck usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Duck