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

Should you visit Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz?

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 Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Santa Cruz

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

Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gatlinburg. Although Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Gatlinburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gatlinburg is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Santa Cruz is known for its food and beaches. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Santa Cruz and is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is also home to the Gatlinburg Strip. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches.

How is Gatlinburg different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a popular place for snow skiing. However, Santa Cruz is not a skiing destination.

Gatlinburg is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Santa Cruz is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz?

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

Gatlinburg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

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 Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Cruz is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is very popular for nightlife. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Gatlinburg is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

Santa Cruz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Gatlinburg is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is great for its beaches. However, Gatlinburg is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Gatlinburg is not a beach destination.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Gatlinburg is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Gatlinburg is a popular spot for hiking. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Gatlinburg. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

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

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Both Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Gatlinburg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

Santa Cruz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Gatlinburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a touristy town with plenty of cheap motels in the area. There are also campgrounds and hiking not far away.

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

Gatlinburg is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Gatlinburg has a few public transit options. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

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

Is Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its walkability. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Gatlinburg is a very walkable city. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

For even more information, also check out Is Gatlinburg Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz?

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

Both Santa Cruz and Gatlinburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Santa Cruz. The autumn months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the autumn, Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Santa Cruz. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Gatlinburg in the winter. In January, Gatlinburg is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gatlinburg or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Gatlinburg