A Travel Price Comparison for California Monterey vs. Santa Barbara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Monterey 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 Monterey 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.

Where Should I go: Monterey or Santa Barbara?

Monterey

When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.

Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.

Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.

Which city is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Monterey?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Monterey is $136, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $130. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Monterey and Santa Barbara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Monterey $72
    Santa Barbara $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Monterey $144
    Santa Barbara $142
Compare Hotels in Monterey and Santa Barbara

Looking for a hotel in Monterey or Santa Barbara? 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 Monterey


Hotels in Santa Barbara


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: Monterey Hotel Prices and Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Monterey $26
    Santa Barbara $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Monterey

Also for Monterey, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Monterey Peninsula Airport One Way Transfer: $43
  • Private transfer from Monterey to SFO: $370

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:

  • Santa Barbara-Ojai: Private Transfer To the Los Angeles.: $345
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport One Way Transfer: $48
  • Santa Barbara Area Private Transfer To Los Angeles.: $335
  • Private Transfer from Santa Bárbara to Terceira Lajes (TER) Airport: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Monterey or Santa Barbara?

Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Monterey 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
    Monterey $45
    Santa Barbara $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Barbara

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

  • Downtown Santa Barbara Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Monterey $22
    Santa Barbara $22

Tours and Activities in Monterey

For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Historic Cannery Row: Explore John Steinbeck's Monterey on an audio walking tour: $5.00
  • Monterey State Historic Park and Fisherman’s Wharf: A seaside audio walking tour: $5.20
  • Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour in California (Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway): $7.60
  • Scenic 17 Mile Drive Self-Driving Audio Tour: $8.00
  • The Original Monterey Walking Tours: Guided Tours of Historic Monterey 10 AM: $25
  • The Original Monterey Walking Tours : Guided Tours of Cannery Row 2 PM: $27
  • Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $65
  • 3-Hour Monterey Bay Winter Whale-Watching Tour in California: $65
  • Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey: $75
  • 1-Hour Monterey and Cannery Row Sea Car Tour: $75
  • 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
  • Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $95

Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara

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

  • Authentic Funk Zone Tour: $125
  • Beginner or Intermediate Mountain Bike Tour of Santa Barbara: $105
  • Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $50
  • Private All-Inclusive Wine Country Tour for Couples from Santa Barbara: $550
  • Private Party Bus Tour in the Santa Ynez Valley: $245
  • Private Santa Barbara Winery Tour in Mercedes Convertible for up to 18 Guests: $848
  • Private Santa Barbara Winery and Estate Tour in Tesla SUV: $381
  • Private Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Tour: $326
  • Private Walking Ghosts Tour at Santa Barbara: $35
  • Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Santa Barbara Downtown Cocktails and History Walking Tour: $85
  • Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Monterey $17
    Santa Barbara $9.46

Typical Alcohol prices in Santa Barbara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:


  • Camping
    $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara

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

  • Santa Barbara Private Wine Tasting Experience: $69
  • Santa Barbara Ghost and Wine Tasting Private Tour: $75
  • Private All-Inclusive Santa Barbara Brewery Tour: $125
  • Santa Ynez Wine Tour from Santa Barbara: $129
  • Private All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $135
  • Santa Ynez Valley Wine Tour: $139
  • From All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour & Lunch: $146
  • Santa Ynez Valley Cupcake and Wine Tour: $159
  • Small-Group Santa Barbara Wine Tour to Private Locations: $163
  • All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $167
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $169
  • Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations Not Open To Pubic: $180

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Monterey and Santa Barbara, we can see that Monterey 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.


When is the best time to visit Monterey or Santa Barbara?

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 Monterey or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Monterey as well as Santa Barbara. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.


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Monterey is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the summer. The temperature in Monterey is usually 63°F (17°C) in July, and Santa Barbara stays around 65°F (19°C).

Monterey usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Monterey gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Monterey 63°F (17°C) 
    Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)

Should I visit Monterey or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

Both Santa Barbara and Monterey are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.


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In the autumn, Monterey is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Monterey in October are around 62°F (17°C), and Santa Barbara is about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Monterey usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Monterey gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Monterey 62°F (17°C) 
    Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Monterey or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

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


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In January, Monterey is generally around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Temperatures in Monterey average around 51°F (11°C), and Santa Barbara stays around 52°F (11°C).

Monterey usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. Monterey gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Monterey 51°F (11°C) 
    Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Monterey or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Monterey and Santa Barbara. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.


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Monterey is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the spring. The temperature in Monterey is usually 56°F (13°C) in April, and Santa Barbara stays around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Monterey usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Barbara. Monterey gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Monterey 56°F (13°C) 
    Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Monterey

Monterey Santa Barbara
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (11°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 53°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.1 inches (55 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
May 59°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 59°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 62°F (16°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 65°F (19°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 0.6 inches (14 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.5 inches (13 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Dec 51°F (10°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 52°F (11°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)


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Monterey vs. Santa Barbara Travel Comparison

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