A Travel Price Comparison for California Pasadena vs. Santa Monica for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Pasadena or Santa Monica?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pasadena and Santa Monica. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a active, lively, and funfilled town. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Pasadena and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pasadena or Santa Monica?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Monica than Pasadena. While Pasadena is larger than Santa Monica, Santa Monica has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Monica is more popular for its beaches, while Pasadena is known for its museums. Santa Monica is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities. It is also home to the Santa Monica Pier. Pasadena is popular for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Pasadena different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pasadena is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. 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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Pasadena and Santa Monica can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Dining out in Pasadena is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Santa Monica. 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 Pasadena or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Pasadena and Santa Monica.

Pasadena has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

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 Pasadena or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Santa Monica offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pasadena or Santa Monica?

Both Pasadena and Santa Monica are superb shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

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.

Is Pasadena or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Santa Monica is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Santa Monica is very family-friendly. 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Pasadena or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

Santa Monica is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Santa Monica is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Pasadena or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Monica is a good destination for backpackers. However, Pasadena is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Santa Monica. 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.

Pasadena is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

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

Pasadena is a popular place for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Pasadena has a few public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. 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.

Is Pasadena or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or Pasadena?

How long in Pasadena or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pasadena and Santa Monica. In our opinion, Santa Monica has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Santa Monica than Pasadena. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Santa Monica than Pasadena. 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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena or Santa Monica?

In Pasadena, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

The town of Santa Monica 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 Pasadena or Santa Monica?

Pasadena is a fun place to experience. 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.

Santa Monica 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 Monica, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pasadena or Santa Monica?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Pasadena. 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.

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 Pasadena or Santa Monica?

Pasadena is a popular place to visit. 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.

Santa Monica is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pasadena Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Santa Monica?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena 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 Pasadena or Santa Monica?

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 Pasadena or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pasadena is generally around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In July, Pasadena usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pasadena or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

Both Santa Monica and Pasadena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Pasadena is around the same temperature as Santa Monica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Pasadena usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pasadena or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Santa Monica. Many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Pasadena is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pasadena in January average around 56°F (13°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In January, Pasadena usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pasadena or Santa Monica in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Santa Monica. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

In April, Pasadena is generally around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 62°F (17°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

Pasadena usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Pasadena