A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Berkeley for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

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 Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley. 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Berkeley attracts visitors for its museums and nightlife. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Berkeley is famous for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.


Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Berkeley makes for a great culinary experience. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Berkeley has something for everybody. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for its resorts. However, Berkeley is not a resort destination.

Martha's Vineyard offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Berkeley is not a resort destination.


Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Martha's Vineyard is notable for the beach. However, Berkeley is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Martha's Vineyard. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Berkeley is not a beach destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Martha's Vineyard is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Berkeley is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard has hiking trails worth exploring. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Berkeley is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley both offer plenty of great spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Berkeley is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.


Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Families?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Both Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley are nice family-friendly destinations.

Martha's Vineyard offers lots of family activities. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Berkeley is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Martha's Vineyard is renowned for couples. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Martha's Vineyard has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.


Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Students?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Berkeley is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Many students visit Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its public transit.

Public transit in Berkeley is top-notch. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Public transit is generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard
Berkeley

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

Berkeley is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.


For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley. In our opinion, Berkeley has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Berkeley than Martha's Vineyard. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 2-3 days is enough time in Berkeley.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Martha's Vineyard 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 Berkeley.


  • How many days in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley? Ideal Length of Stay
    Martha's Vineyard 1-3 
    Berkeley 2-3

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With museums and nightlife around the diverse city of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quirky destination of Berkeley. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. 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 Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Berkeley is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Berkeley or Martha's Vineyard?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Martha's Vineyard is $241, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $190. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Martha's Vineyard $132
    Berkeley $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Martha's Vineyard $264
    Berkeley $262
Compare Hotels in Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley

Looking for a hotel in Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Marthas Vineyard


Hotels in Berkeley


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Martha's Vineyard Hotel Prices and Berkeley Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Martha's Vineyard $83
    Berkeley $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:

  • Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport OAK to San Francisco by SUV: $232
  • Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel: $200
  • Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland: $93
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $64
  • Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Martha's Vineyard change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Martha's Vineyard $60
    Berkeley $36

Typical Food Prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.

  • North 3-Hour Food Tour: $116
  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
  • Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Martha's Vineyard $30
    Berkeley $30

Tours and Activities in Martha's Vineyard

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Martha's Vineyard.

  • Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided (APP/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Audio Tour: $13
  • Martha's Vinyard Driving & Walking GPS-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • 3-Hour Martha's Vineyard Island Tour from Oak Bluffs: $65
  • All Island Bus Tour: $65

Tours and Activities in Berkeley

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
  • Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135
  • Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
  • Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
  • Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $14
  • Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $120
  • Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
  • Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Martha's Vineyard $22
    Berkeley $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:

  • Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
  • Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley, we can see that Martha's Vineyard is more expensive. And not only is Berkeley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Berkeley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berkeley 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard than you might in Berkeley.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is Berkeley Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley in the Summer?

Both Berkeley and Martha's Vineyard during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in July than Berkeley. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Martha's Vineyard 73°F (23°C) 
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Berkeley. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Martha's Vineyard 53°F (12°C) 
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Berkeley. The winter months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

The weather in Martha's Vineyard can be very cold. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets less rain in January than Berkeley. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Martha's Vineyard 28°F (-2°C) 
    Berkeley 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Berkeley in the Spring?

Both Berkeley and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Martha's Vineyard 48°F (9°C) 
    Berkeley 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard Berkeley
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)