A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nags Head vs. Santa Barbara for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Santa Barbara? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nags Head

Other popular activities here include food.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a affluent, scenic, and stunning coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nags Head and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Nags Head and is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is great for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nags Head or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Barbara. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Santa Barbara has a few options to choose from. 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.

Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is great for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Nags Head is not a resort destination.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nags Head is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. 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.

Nags Head is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Barbara. 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.

Nags Head is not a beach destination.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Nags Head does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Nags Head does not have a historic old town.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Nags Head is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Santa Barbara. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nags Head or Santa Barbara.

Nags Head is a very family-friendly destination. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.

Santa Barbara is a very kid-friendly . 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.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an amazing coastal town to visit for romance. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its romantic activities.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Nags Head makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nags Head is a popular place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Nags Head is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is a very popular coastal town for students and younger travelers. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Nags Head is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have public transit.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Nags Head does not have public transit.

Is Nags Head or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is great for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

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

Nags Head is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nags Head and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nags Head than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Nags Head. 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 Nags Head. 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal town of Santa Barbara. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nags Head. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Santa Barbara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. This 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the opulent coastal town of Santa Barbara. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the of Nags Head. 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 choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

Both Santa Barbara and Nags Head during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In July, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Santa Barbara. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Nags Head is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nags Head or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Santa Barbara. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In the winter, Nags Head is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Santa Barbara. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Nags Head is generally around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In April, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Nags Head