A Travel Price Comparison for California San Diego vs. Santa Monica for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit San Diego or Santa Monica?

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 Diego and Santa Monica. 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 Diego

San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a energetic, active, and lively town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

San Diego and Santa Monica: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Diego or Santa Monica?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Diego than Santa Monica. San Diego is bigger than Santa Monica, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Diego is better known for its museums, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Santa Monica is more popular for its food and shopping. San Diego is well known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo. Santa Monica is well known for its active lifestyle and fun-filled activities.

How is San Diego different from Santa Monica?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Diego or Santa Monica?

San Diego is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Santa Monica. There's a thriving arts scene and a number of museums around town. Check out the Museum of Flying, the California Heritage Museum, or the Santa Monica History Museum.

Is the Food Better in San Diego or Santa Monica? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Monica is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Monica has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a diversity of restaurants in the area, many of which make use of the town's many farmer's markets. The restaurant scene has a beachy vibe with a lot of outdoor dining opportunities. There are also a range of cuisines to choose from such as Mexican, Italian, casual, and upscale.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both San Diego and Santa Monica.

Many people head to San Diego for the nightlife scene. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Santa Monica has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a relaxed and laid back vibe to the nightlife scene. Many venues offer outdoor seating and live music in a casual setting. You can hang out on a patio and enjoy the California climate while you sip cold drinks and the beach town atmosphere.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Music?

San Diego is notable for its live music scene. However, Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in San Diego. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Santa Monica is not a live music destination.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a popular place for its resorts. However, Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Santa Monica is not a resort destination.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few good snorkeling spots. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Santa Monica is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Beaches?

San Diego and Santa Monica both offer amazing beaches.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Monica. Santa Monica Beach is large and lined with bike trails. It's also filled with activity and you'll find many water sports, beach volleyball, and surfing in the area. There's also the famous Santa Monica Pier, which has an amusement park aquarium, Ferris wheal, dining, and shopping.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Hiking?

San Diego is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

San Diego is a popular spot for hiking. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Santa Monica is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Diego or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

Santa Monica is well-known for its shopping. It's easy to pass the time shopping in Santa Monica. There are independent vendors, fashion boutiques, and art galleries. Head to Montana Avenue or Main Street for some of the best shopping.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Families?

Both San Diego and Santa Monica are amazing family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Diego is very family-friendly. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Santa Monica is a very family-friendly destination. Many families spend their days hanging out on the beaches, soaking up the sun, and even trying to surf. There's a boardwalk as well as bike paths that are perfect for people watching. You should also check out the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, which is a thrilling amusement park.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Couples?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Santa Monica is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

San Diego makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Santa Monica makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fun days on the beach, peaceful walks at sunset, and a wild nightlife scene make this the perfect couples destination for couples who enjoy activity and excitement.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both San Diego and Santa Monica are notable places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Santa Monica. There's no shortage of activities in the area, whether you're into surfing, partying, or sunbathing. There's also at least one hostel that's great for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Students?

San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for students. However, Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Many students frequent San Diego. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Santa Monica is not popular with students.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Diego is a moderate coastal city for its public transit. However, Santa Monica does not have public transit.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Santa Monica does not have public transit. The Metro E Line connects the city to downtown Los Angeles. There's also the Big Blue Bus as well the Santa Monica Circuit, which are small electric carts that offer free rides between Wilshire Boulevard and Marine Street, and from the ocean to Fifth Street.

Is San Diego or Santa Monica a more walkable city?

Santa Monica is great for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its ease of walking around.

Santa Monica is a very walkable town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the more touristy areas.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable coastal city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is San Diego Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Monica Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Monica or San Diego?

How long in San Diego or Santa Monica?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Diego and Santa Monica. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than in Santa Monica. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for San Diego, and 1-3 days is enough time in Santa Monica.

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

Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Santa Monica. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Santa Monica 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 Diego.

One day in San Diego or Santa Monica?

In San Diego, many people enjoy the live music and food that this energetic coastal city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Santa Monica. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Monica has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in San Diego or Santa Monica?

San Diego is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Santa Monica. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in San Diego or Santa Monica?

In San Diego, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this hip destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active town of Santa Monica. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in San Diego or Santa Monica?

San Diego is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Santa Monica is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between San Diego and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 San Diego Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Diego or Santa Monica?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of San Diego and Santa Monica, 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 Diego or Santa Monica?

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 San Diego or Santa Monica in the Summer?

Both Santa Monica and San Diego during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

San Diego is around the same temperature as Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 71°F (22°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

San Diego usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Santa Monica in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Santa Monica. Many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, San Diego is around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Diego in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

In October, San Diego usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Diego or Santa Monica in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Santa Monica. Many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, San Diego is generally around the same temperature as Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 57°F (14°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

San Diego usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Diego or Santa Monica in the Spring?

Both Santa Monica and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches.

San Diego is around the same temperature as Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In April, San Diego usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and San Diego