A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Phoenix vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Phoenix and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although Phoenix 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 food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. It is also well known for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Phoenix 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 Phoenix. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Phoenix.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

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 Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Carmel-by-the-Sea attract visitors from all over. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

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 Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

Phoenix and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

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

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great town for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

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

How long in Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the laid back city of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer.

Five days in Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Phoenix. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Phoenix during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. Phoenix is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 98°F (36°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Phoenix usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Phoenix is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phoenix in October average around 79°F (26°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Phoenix usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Phoenix is generally a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 58°F (14°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Phoenix usually gets less rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Phoenix is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 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 Phoenix