A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Santa Monica for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit New Orleans or Santa Monica?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Santa Monica can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and nightlife. See New Orleans travel costs.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a lively, funfilled, and energetic town. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Monica travel costs.

New Orleans and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Santa Monica. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Santa Monica attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, beaches, and shopping. New Orleans is famous for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Santa Monica is famous for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Monica is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is an amazing city 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, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Santa Monica has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in New Orleans The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Santa Monica does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Monica. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Santa Monica is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Santa Monica is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica Better for Students?

New Orleans is a popular place for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

New Orleans is a good city to visit for students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

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

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Santa Monica is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is New Orleans or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Santa Monica has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Monica than New Orleans. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for New Orleans, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Monica than New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Santa Monica?

In New Orleans, many people enjoy the live music and food that this festive city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively town of Santa Monica. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

New Orleans is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Santa Monica. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the festive destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

The funfilled town of Santa Monica offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Santa Monica?

New Orleans is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Monica. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Santa Monica?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Santa Monica. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, New Orleans is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, New Orleans is generally around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

In October, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Orleans or Santa Monica in the Winter?

Both Santa Monica and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

New Orleans is cooler than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Santa Monica. The spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

In the spring, New Orleans is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 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 New Orleans