A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nantucket vs. Santa Cruz for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Nantucket and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantucket. Although Nantucket and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Nantucket has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nantucket is more popular for its food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Santa Cruz is known for its nightlife. Nantucket is popular for its pristine beaches, upscale atmosphere, and history of whaling. It is also home to Great Point Lighthouse. Santa Cruz is popular for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches.

How is Nantucket different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?

Spend time exploring the good sights and museums in either Nantucket or Santa Cruz.

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.

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Nantucket or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantucket is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Nantucket is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great town for nightlife. Also, Nantucket is not as popular, but is still a nice island for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Santa Cruz has something for everybody. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

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.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Resorts?

Nantucket is notable for its resorts. However, Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Nantucket is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and upscale inns offer guests a relaxed setting with oceanfront views and family-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is not a resort destination.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Nantucket and Santa Cruz are great 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 Santa Cruz. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for its Old Town?

Nantucket is notable for its historic old town. However, Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nantucket. 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.

Santa Cruz does not have a historic old town.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Nantucket is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Santa Cruz. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

Nantucket is notable for shopping. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Nantucket is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Nantucket or Santa Cruz.

Nantucket is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Santa Cruz is a very kid-friendly island. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Nantucket is very popular for romance. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Nantucket makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Santa Cruz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantucket is not known for backpackers.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Nantucket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's known for its upscale atmosphere that isn't particularly accommodating for backpackers.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantucket is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Cruz is a mediocre 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 Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Nantucket or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is renowned for its walkability. Also, Nantucket is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its high level of walkability.

Santa Cruz is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Nantucket Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Nantucket?

How long in Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nantucket or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nantucket than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Nantucket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Nantucket than Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz than Nantucket 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 Cruz.

One day in Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

Nantucket might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

Even though Nantucket is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz?

Nantucket, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Santa Cruz. 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 Santa Cruz?

Nantucket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, we can see that Nantucket is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantucket or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nantucket. When comparing the sizes of Nantucket and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?

Both Santa Cruz and Nantucket during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nantucket for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nantucket is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantucket averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Nantucket usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Nantucket gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantucket and Santa Cruz. The autumn months attract visitors to Nantucket because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the autumn, Nantucket is cooler than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantucket in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Nantucket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Nantucket gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantucket or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantucket as well as Santa Cruz. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nantucket this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Nantucket in the winter. In January, Nantucket is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Nantucket average around 31°F (-0°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nantucket usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Nantucket gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Nantucket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nantucket for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the spring for the beaches.

Nantucket is much colder than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantucket averages around 45°F (7°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Nantucket. In April, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Nantucket gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Nantucket