A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Santa Barbara for Resorts, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a scenic, bustling, and spirited coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a wealthy, opulent, and pristine coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara than Fort Lauderdale. While Fort Lauderdale is larger than Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Barbara is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Fort Lauderdale is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Fort Lauderdale is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is known for its canals, beaches, walkable waterfront, and luxury resorts. Santa Barbara is well known 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.

How is Fort Lauderdale different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Santa Barbara. 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.

Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Fort Lauderdale is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Santa Barbara makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Fort Lauderdale has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Fort Lauderdale is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Fort Lauderdale offers plenty to do in the evening. Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. 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 Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Fort Lauderdale is renowned for its resorts. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Fort Lauderdale is a great choice. Luxury beachfront resorts are plentiful in the area. Several of the most impressive include the Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale, and the Dalmar. Most resorts have a beachfront pool, hot tubs, and depending on the resort, a kid's club.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Santa Barbara. 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.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Fort Lauderdale is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Fort Lauderdale has a few good snorkeling spots. Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.

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.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara both offer amazing beaches.

Fort Lauderdale offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.

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.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Santa Barbara to see the historical old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Fort Lauderdale does not have a historic old town.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Fort Lauderdale is not a hiking destination.

Santa Barbara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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.

Fort Lauderdale is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Fort Lauderdale is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Santa Barbara is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Fort Lauderdale. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara are superb family-friendly destinations.

Fort Lauderdale is a very family-friendly place to visit. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities, the kids will love it here. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome. On sunny days there are many outdoor recreation areas and when the weather isn't cooperating, there are hands-on museums.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Barbara is very family-friendly. 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 Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara both amazing destinations for a couple.

Fort Lauderdale is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Fine dining, beautiful beaches, and great shopping make for a great romantic getaway. Couples and honeymooners love relaxing at the beaches in Fort Lauderdale. A sunset walk on the beach and a stay at a romantic resort will make for an unforgettable trip.

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.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for students. However, Fort Lauderdale is not popular with students.

Many students visit Santa Barbara. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Fort Lauderdale is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its public transit. However, Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Barbara, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is mostly limited in Fort Lauderdale. Transportation options include a water taxi and the Sun Trolley Hop-on Bus.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara both are superb when exploring on foot.

Fort Lauderdale is very walkable. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Fort Lauderdale?

How long in Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Fort Lauderdale, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the bustling destination of Fort Lauderdale. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The scenic destination of Santa Barbara offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fort Lauderdale. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The coastal town of Santa Barbara offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy destination of Fort Lauderdale. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful coastal city of Fort Lauderdale. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara, we can see that Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara?

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 Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Santa Barbara. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Santa Barbara. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January average around 67°F (20°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Fort Lauderdale