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

Should you visit San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a historic, cultural, and colorful city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

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.

San Antonio and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in San Antonio than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. San Antonio is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its food, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carmel-by-the-Sea is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts. San Antonio is well known for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Also, San Antonio is famous for The Alamo.

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

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

San Antonio 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 San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

San Antonio 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 San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Music?

San Antonio is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a live music destination.

Is San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its beaches. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio offers a nice historic old town area. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Christmas?

San Antonio is a city with good options for its Christmas activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not offer Christmas activities.

Many visitors go to San Antonio during the Christmas season. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not offer Christmas activities.

Is San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

San Antonio is renowned for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for its kid-friendly activities.

San Antonio is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for romance. Also, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Students?

San Antonio is a city with good options for students. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

San Antonio is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both San Antonio and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Public transit is generally limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options 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.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

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

How long in San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Antonio and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, San Antonio has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in San Antonio than Carmel-by-the-Sea. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for San Antonio, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

One day in San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. 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 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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the colorful city of San Antonio, 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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Antonio 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.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, 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, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 87°F (31°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, San Antonio usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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.

San Antonio is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 73°F (23°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

San Antonio usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the winter, San Antonio is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Antonio in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In January, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Antonio during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 74°F (23°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

San Antonio usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 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 San Antonio