A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America North Conway vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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.

Where Should I go: North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

North Conway

North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between North Conway and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is North Conway Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and North Conway during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, North Conway is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in North Conway in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).

North Conway usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, North Conway is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 49°F (9°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, North Conway usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in North Conway can be very cold. North Conway is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

North Conway usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit North Conway or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, North Conway is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in North Conway in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In April, North Conway usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and North Conway