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

Should you visit Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

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

Should I visit Norfolk 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a blue collar, maritime, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Santa Cruz

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

Norfolk and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Cruz than Norfolk. While Norfolk is larger than Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Norfolk and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to Santa Cruz Wharf. Norfolk is popular for its naval base and military presence.

How is Norfolk different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Norfolk and Santa Cruz have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Norfolk is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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 Norfolk or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Norfolk and Santa Cruz offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Norfolk offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

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 Norfolk or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Santa Cruz know how to have a good time. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

If you're looking for night time activities Norfolk has a few options to choose from. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

Is Norfolk or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for its beaches. However, Norfolk 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.

Norfolk is not a beach destination.

Is Norfolk or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Norfolk 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.

Norfolk is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz and Norfolk.

Norfolk is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

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

Is Norfolk or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Norfolk offers lots of family activities. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Is Norfolk or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options 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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

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

Santa Cruz is a popular place for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options 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.

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Norfolk and Santa Cruz.

Public transit is generally limited in Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

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

Is Norfolk or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Norfolk 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.

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Norfolk 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 Norfolk. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

With museums and nightlife around the blue collar city of Norfolk, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Norfolk, one day is sufficent for most.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Norfolk, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Santa Cruz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Cruz has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

Norfolk, a popular city, 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 great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

Norfolk 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Cruz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Norfolk and Santa Cruz, we can see that Norfolk 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 Norfolk would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Norfolk 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 Norfolk Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Santa Cruz?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Santa Cruz. The summer months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

Norfolk is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Norfolk or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Santa Cruz. The shopping scene are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Norfolk is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Norfolk in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Norfolk usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Norfolk 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Norfolk. In January, Norfolk is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 39°F (4°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Norfolk or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Norfolk during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

Norfolk is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Norfolk usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Norfolk