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

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

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

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

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Petersburg than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Petersburg is better known for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Petersburg is well known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

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

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

Saint Petersburg is a well-known place 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 a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Petersburg. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Petersburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Petersburg. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

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

Saint Petersburg is a coastal 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 Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night 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 Petersburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with good options for its resorts. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

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

Is Saint Petersburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is renowned for the beach. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its beaches.

Saint Petersburg is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

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.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for shopping. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Saint Petersburg offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

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

Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

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

Both Saint Petersburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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

Saint Petersburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car 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 Saint Petersburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination 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 Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

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

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

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

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Petersburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Petersburg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Saint Petersburg.

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

With shopping and museums around the destination of Saint Petersburg, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

With museums and nightlife around the relaxed coastal city of Saint Petersburg, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Saint Petersburg is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This coastal 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the beaches. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Saint Petersburg