A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nantucket vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Couples, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Nantucket

Nantucket is a charming, serene, and peaceful 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nantucket than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nantucket is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, historical sights, and hiking, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its small town charm. Nantucket is well known for its pristine beaches, upscale atmosphere, and history of whaling. Also, Nantucket is famous for Great Point Lighthouse. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Nantucket different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Nantucket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Nantucket is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums around town that educate visitors on the island's whaling history and maritime past.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantucket is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Nantucket have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Upscale eateries where you can look out on the water make dining on this island a true experience. There are raw bars, seafood restaurants, and local cafes with elaborate salads and duck carnitas. Dishes usually use the highest quality fresh ingredients and chefs bring their "A game" with every customer.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Nantucket is a island with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Nantucket. You'll find a number of bars and a lively singles scene in town. There's also live music and a laid back but active atmosphere in the evening.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Nantucket is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

In Nantucket, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Luxury resorts and upscale inns offer guests a relaxed setting with oceanfront views and family-friendly activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb choices for a beach vacation.

Nantucket is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You'll find the calmest water at the northern beaches, and cooler water with rougher surf to the south. Many of the beaches are accessible from town, but parking can be limited. There are both public and private beaches, each with beautiful settings and relaxing vibes.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Nantucket is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Nantucket is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The Historic District is filled with New England charm, cobblestone streets, and upscale boutiques. There are many great restaurants and a lot of historic character.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Nantucket is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Nantucket is a popular spot for hiking. The island is easy to explore on foot, and its covered with hiking trails that follow the serene coastline or take you through forests, bogs, and marshland.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nantucket. The Historic District is filled with boutiques, art galleries, and upscale shops. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering around and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Nantucket is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantucket is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a calm beach that's perfect for kids as well as quaint ice cream shops and plenty of New England charm. The town is also filled with hiking and biking trails.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Nantucket is renowned for couples. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Nantucket is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The New England charm, natural beauty, and relaxing coastal atmosphere make this a perfect romantic destination. There are also many romantic places to stay and great local restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantucket is a island with good options for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Nantucket has a few public transit options. There are shuttle buses around the island that operate with greater frequency during the summer months.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb when it comes to walkability.

Nantucket is very walkable. The town is very walkable and parking can be challenging, so it's best to leave your car in the ferry parking lot.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable island. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Nantucket Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Nantucket?

How long in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nantucket than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Nantucket, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nantucket than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nantucket that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantucket than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Nantucket.

One day in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Even though Nantucket is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Nantucket is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

You'll find museums and food around the quaint small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Nantucket is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Nantucket is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This island 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nantucket Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Nantucket has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Nantucket during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nantucket for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nantucket is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Nantucket average around 68°F (20°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Nantucket usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Nantucket gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantucket and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Nantucket in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Nantucket is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantucket averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Nantucket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Nantucket gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantucket as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Nantucket for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nantucket can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nantucket is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantucket in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nantucket usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Nantucket gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Nantucket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nantucket because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In April, Nantucket is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Nantucket average around 45°F (7°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Nantucket. In April, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Nantucket gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Nantucket