A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Santa Cruz for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

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 Jacksonville and Santa Cruz. 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a laid back, coastal, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Jacksonville and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Jacksonville than Santa Cruz. Jacksonville is bigger than Santa Cruz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Jacksonville is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Cruz is more popular for its hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Jacksonville is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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

Jacksonville is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Santa Cruz have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Jacksonville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

The people in Santa Cruz know how to have a good time. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville and Santa Cruz both offer superb beaches.

Many people visit Jacksonville for it's beautiful beaches. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

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.

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz offers some nice hiking trails. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

Jacksonville is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Cruz. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

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

Jacksonville and Santa Cruz are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

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.

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a popular place for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

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

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

Jacksonville has a few public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

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

Is Jacksonville or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Jacksonville than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville than Santa Cruz 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Santa Cruz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this scenic town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

Jacksonville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

Jacksonville 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 popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Santa Cruz?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Santa Cruz. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches.

In the spring, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Jacksonville