A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Ocean City 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.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a fun-filled, laid back, and active city. Other popular activities here include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more sights and attractions for tourists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City attracts visitors for its nightlife and resorts. Ocean City is more touristy than Carmel-by-the-Sea and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course.

How is Ocean City different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ocean City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

While most people don't head to Ocean City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

Is the Food Better in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Carmel-by-the-Sea is an experience not to be missed. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ocean City. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

Ocean City offers plenty to do in the evening. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

In Ocean City, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea are excellent choices.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Ocean City is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Ocean City is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea make for a excellent place to visit.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable destination. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

Ocean City is generally not a very walkable city. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

For even more information, also check out Is Ocean City Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Ocean City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Ocean City 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With food and nightlife around the laid back city of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With nightlife and food around the energetic destination of Ocean City, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Ocean City is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

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 Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Ocean City 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 Ocean City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocean City 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 Ocean City Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Ocean City has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ocean City is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the shopping scene during these months. Also, 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 the autumn, Ocean City is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocean City in October average around 58°F (14°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The winter months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Ocean City can be very cold. In January, Ocean City is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 35°F (2°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The beaches are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Ocean City is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ocean City