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

Should you visit Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lancaster or Santa Cruz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a scenic, traditional, and picturesque town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, 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.

Lancaster and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Cruz than Lancaster, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Cruz is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Lancaster is more popular for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Lancaster and is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Also, Santa Cruz is famous for Santa Cruz Wharf. Lancaster is well known for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Lancaster different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lancaster 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.

Lancaster offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lancaster and Santa Cruz can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Lancaster is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Santa Cruz offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Lancaster or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great town for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Santa Cruz has something for everybody. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Lancaster or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great town for the beach. However, Lancaster is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. 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.

Lancaster is not a beach destination.

Is Lancaster or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

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

Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

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

Lancaster is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

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

Is Lancaster or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Lancaster and Santa Cruz are both very good destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lancaster. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Lancaster or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Lancaster and Santa Cruz are both very good to visit as a couple.

Lancaster is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Lancaster or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lancaster is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Lancaster is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by backpackers, the region offers a unique cultural experience.

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

Lancaster and Santa Cruz both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

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

Is Lancaster or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its 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.

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Lancaster?

How long in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lancaster or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lancaster 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 Lancaster, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

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

One day in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

With museums and food around the traditional town of Lancaster, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

With food and shopping around the destination of Lancaster, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

Lancaster, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Santa Cruz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

Lancaster 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 choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lancaster or Santa Cruz?

Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Lancaster during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lancaster in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Lancaster is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lancaster in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Lancaster usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Lancaster gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lancaster and Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Lancaster for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Lancaster is generally cooler than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Lancaster average around 56°F (13°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Lancaster usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Lancaster gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lancaster or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lancaster as well as Santa Cruz. The winter months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

The weather in Lancaster can be very cold. Lancaster is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Lancaster averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Lancaster usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santa Cruz. Lancaster gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Lancaster are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

In the spring, Lancaster is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lancaster in April average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Lancaster usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Lancaster gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Lancaster