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

Should you visit Nantucket or Santa Monica?

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 Monica 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nantucket and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantucket or Santa Monica?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Monica. Although Nantucket and Santa Monica are popular destinations, Santa Monica has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Monica is very popular for its nightlife and beaches, while Nantucket attracts visitors for its food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Santa Monica is more touristy than Nantucket and is popular for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also well known for the Santa Monica Pier. Nantucket is famous for its pristine beaches, upscale atmosphere, and history of whaling.

How is Nantucket different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Nantucket or Santa Monica.

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 Monica offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

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

Nantucket is an amazing island to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Monica 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 Monica has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Santa Monica 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 Monica has something for everybody. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

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 Monica Better for Resorts?

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

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is renowned for its beaches. Also, Nantucket is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Santa Monica is a very popular vacation destination. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Nantucket. 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.

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

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

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

Nantucket is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantucket or Santa Monica?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nantucket and Santa Monica both offer plenty of great 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.

Santa Monica is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nantucket is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is one of the most popular family destinations. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

Nantucket is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Nantucket is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

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 Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

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

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

Santa Monica is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

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 Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantucket is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

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

Santa Monica does not have public transit. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Is Nantucket or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Nantucket and Santa Monica are great 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.

Santa Monica is a very walkable island. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Nantucket?

How long in Nantucket or Santa Monica?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Nantucket than Santa Monica. 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 Monica 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 Monica.

One day in Nantucket or Santa Monica?

Nantucket is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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.

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

A weekend in Nantucket or Santa Monica?

Nantucket 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. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Santa Monica. 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 Monica?

Nantucket is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 nightlife and food when visiting the funfilled town of Santa Monica. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nantucket or Santa Monica?

Nantucket 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.

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

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 Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantucket or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Nantucket. When comparing the sizes of Nantucket and Santa Monica, 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 Monica?

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 Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nantucket is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nantucket in July average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Nantucket usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Nantucket gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantucket and Santa Monica. 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In October, Nantucket is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Nantucket average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Nantucket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Nantucket gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantucket or Santa Monica in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Nantucket in the winter. Nantucket is much colder than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in Nantucket averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nantucket usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Nantucket gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica 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 Monica in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Nantucket is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nantucket in April average around 45°F (7°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite rainy in Nantucket. In April, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Nantucket gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Nantucket