A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Santa Barbara for Beaches, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a wealthy, opulent, and pristine coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara than Saint Augustine, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Barbara is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Augustine is more popular for its historical sights. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Santa Barbara is well known for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. Also, Santa Barbara is famous for The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

How is Saint Augustine different from Santa Barbara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Both Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Augustine can be an interesting and educational experience. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Is the Food Better in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Santa Barbara has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

If you're looking for night time activities Santa Barbara has a few options to choose from. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Santa Barbara is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is a coastal town with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santa Barbara has a few snorkeling spots. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its beaches. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

The beaches in Santa Barbara are among the best in the world. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is renowned for its historic old town charm. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its historic old town.

The old town of Saint Augustine is one of the most recognized in the world. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Santa Barbara is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Santa Barbara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is very popular for shopping. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Santa Barbara is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Saint Augustine is well-known for its shopping. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Families?

Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Saint Augustine is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Barbara is very family-friendly. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is very popular for romance. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Santa Barbara has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Saint Augustine is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town to visit as a student. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Barbara is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Barbara, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara both are very good when exploring on foot.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable city. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Barbara or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-3 days is enough time in Santa Barbara.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Saint Augustine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Barbara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Saint Augustine 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 Barbara.

One day in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the notable destination of Saint Augustine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The pristine destination of Santa Barbara offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The coastal town of Santa Barbara offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the notable destination of Saint Augustine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Saint Augustine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara, 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 Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara?

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 Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Santa Barbara. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Augustine is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).

Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Santa Barbara. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara in the Winter?

Both Santa Barbara and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.

In the winter, Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Barbara. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Santa Barbara in the Spring?

Both Santa Barbara and Saint Augustine during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Saint Augustine