A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Myrtle Beach vs. Santa Barbara for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

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 Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a high energy, party-filled, and busy beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a pristine, affluent, and scenic coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is very popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Myrtle Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is known for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. Santa Barbara is famous for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Myrtle Beach different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Santa Barbara specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Santa Barbara is an experience not to be missed. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Myrtle Beach is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its resorts. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Santa Barbara. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Myrtle Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santa Barbara has a few snorkeling spots. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Myrtle Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Myrtle Beach is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Barbara is a very popular vacation destination. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Myrtle Beach. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Myrtle Beach does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara offers a nice historic old town area. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Myrtle Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Myrtle Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Myrtle Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

Santa Barbara is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Barbara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Myrtle Beach is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Santa Barbara has plenty to offer. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Myrtle Beach is a nice destination for couples. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara are great places to visit for students.

Myrtle Beach is very popular with students. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

Santa Barbara is a great beach city to visit as a student. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Barbara is very good for its public transit. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Barbara, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its walkability.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable beach city. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

For even more information, also check out Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Myrtle Beach?

How long in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Myrtle Beach than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Myrtle Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Myrtle Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Barbara, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Myrtle Beach 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 Barbara.

One day in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the party-filled destination of Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Santa Barbara, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this pristine coastal town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Myrtle Beach. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Santa Barbara is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the busy destination of Myrtle Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the beach city of Myrtle Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Santa Barbara is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Myrtle Beach Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara, 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 Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Myrtle Beach and Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Myrtle Beach is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Myrtle Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

Myrtle Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Myrtle Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Myrtle Beach gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Myrtle Beach as well as Santa Barbara. The autumn months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the autumn, Myrtle Beach is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Myrtle Beach in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Myrtle Beach usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Myrtle Beach gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Myrtle Beach is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Myrtle Beach average around 45°F (7°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Myrtle Beach usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Myrtle Beach gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Myrtle Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Myrtle Beach is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Myrtle Beach averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Myrtle Beach usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Myrtle Beach gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Myrtle Beach