A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John vs. Monterey for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John or Monterey?

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 Saint John and Monterey. 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.

Where Should I go: Saint John or Monterey?

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

Monterey

When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.

Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.

Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Monterey, we can see that Saint John 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. Even though Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Monterey is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Monterey?

Monterey has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Monterey in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Monterey. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

In July, Saint John is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Saint John usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Monterey in the Autumn?

Both Monterey and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the shopping scene.

Saint John is much warmer than Monterey in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Monterey. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint John or Monterey in the Winter?

Both Monterey and Saint John during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Monterey in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint John is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Monterey averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Monterey. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Monterey in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Monterey. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Monterey for the beaches during these months.

In April, Saint John is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Saint John usually receives more rain than Monterey. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Saint John