A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Santa Cruz for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit New Bern or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Santa Cruz? 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.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

New Bern and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz. Although New Bern and Santa Cruz are both popular with visitors, Santa Cruz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Cruz is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Santa Cruz is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

Both New Bern and Santa Cruz have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

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 New Bern or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Santa Cruz can be an enjoyable experience.

New Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

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 New Bern or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Santa Cruz is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is New Bern or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Santa Cruz is considered a top beach destination. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Santa Cruz is a good destination for hiking. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz and New Bern.

New Bern is a great destination for shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

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

Is New Bern or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Santa Cruz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is New Bern or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Cruz. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

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

Santa Cruz is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is New Bern or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

New Bern is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in New Bern or Santa Cruz to fill your time. In our opinion, Santa Cruz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Cruz than New Bern. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Cruz than New Bern 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 New Bern or Santa Cruz?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

The town of Santa Cruz offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Santa Cruz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Cruz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

New Bern, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Santa Cruz is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in New Bern or Santa Cruz?

New Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between New Bern and Santa Cruz, we can see that New Bern 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 New Bern Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern or Santa Cruz?

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 New Bern or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Santa Cruz. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

New Bern is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Santa Cruz. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, New Bern is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, New Bern is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

New Bern is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and New Bern