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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Louis and Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Saint Louis and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Saint Louis, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Carmel-by-the-Sea is better known for its food, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint Louis is more popular for its museums and nightlife. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for Pebble Beach Golf Course. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

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

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

Saint Louis is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Saint Louis on the map. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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 Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

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 Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for it's beautiful 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.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Saint Louis.

Saint Louis is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Is Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Louis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

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 Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Carmel-by-the-Sea frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

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

Saint Louis is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Saint Louis offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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

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

How long in Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Saint Louis. 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.

One day in Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Saint Louis, 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. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the fascinating city of Saint Louis, 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. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating destination of Saint Louis. 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.

Because Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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.

Since Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Louis in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 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 Saint Louis