A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Santa Barbara vs. Boulder for Hiking, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Boulder?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Boulder? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a opulent, pristine, and affluent coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Boulder

Boulder is a nature-filled, biker-friendly, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Santa Barbara and Boulder: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Boulder are both popular with visitors, Santa Barbara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Barbara is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Boulder is known for its skiing and music. Santa Barbara is more touristy than Boulder and is popular for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also home to The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Boulder is popular for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries.

How is Santa Barbara different from Boulder?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Skiing?

Boulder is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Santa Barbara is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Boulder for snow skiing. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Santa Barbara is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its historical sights. However, Boulder is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Santa Barbara. The city is famous for its missions, with Mission Santa Barbara being the most iconic. Also visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center.

Boulder offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit Boulder for the outdoor activities more than the museums and sights. If have the time you can wander around the University of Colorado Boulder campus, visit the Museum of Boulder, or see the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art.

Is the Food Better in Santa Barbara or Boulder? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Santa Barbara has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is best known for its fine dining, particularly if you enjoy seafood. The scallops, oysters, clam chowder, and sea urchin (when available) are all world class. Head for a waterfront setting for the best views and some of the freshest seafood.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Boulder area. This is an often overlooked foodie town, with great farmer's markets and restaurants to try. There are many casual places to eat as well as vegetarian and vegan friendly options everywhere.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Nightlife?

Both Santa Barbara and Boulder are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Santa Barbara. For the best nightlife in the city, head downtown to State Street. This is where you'll find the most active bars and biggest crowds. There's a large student population in town, so you'll find much of the nightlife scene is focused on the younger population.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Boulder. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Live music is popular and many venues are smaller with a more personal atmosphere. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Music?

Boulder is a popular place for its music scene. However, Santa Barbara is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Boulder is active and vibrant. During the summer months there are often outdoor concerts. Head to Pearl Street for open air stages or see a concert at Boulder Theater.

Santa Barbara is not a live music destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its luxury resorts. However, Boulder is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Santa Barbara to choose from. Many people enjoy the luxurious vacation rentals around Santa Barbara, but there are also a number of high end resorts including the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hotel Californian.

Boulder is not a resort destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santa Barbara is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Boulder is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Santa Barbara. Snorkeling areas not far from town include Refugio State Beach and Tajiguas. You'll see a few fish, beautiful rocks, and anemones that are unique and impressive.

Boulder is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Boulder is not a beach destination.

Santa Barbara offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city is famous for its pristine, sandy beaches. Whether you want to enjoy world class surfing or enjoy a gentle ocean setting, Santa Barbara has many options.

Boulder is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for its old town. However, Boulder does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Santa Barbara. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Boulder does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Hiking?

Santa Barbara is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Santa Barbara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Just outside of town are countless hiking opportunities that offer spectacular ocean views. Popular hikes include Inspiration Point, San Ysidro Trail, and Cold Spring East Fork.

Boulder is a popular spot for hiking. There are many accessible hikes in the area that take you through the mountains, by wildflowers, or up mountain peaks. Popular hikes that are nearby include the Bear Peak Summit Hike, the trails in Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Falls.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

Santa Barbara is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Santa Barbara draws large crowds to its stores. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Many visitors go to Boulder to go shopping. The downtown area has many local retailers where you can shop for clothing, art, or home goods. You can also pick up outdoor gear, camping equipment, and any other items you may need in town. Make sure you wander down the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Families?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Barbara is very family-friendly. The city has some nice family-friendly activities including a zoo, some cool museums, and even whale watching. There are also many beautiful beaches where everyone can run around and play, as well as parks and other outdoor settings. For animal-lovers, there are wildlife centers and sea life opportunities.

Boulder is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages. There are plenty places to get outdoors with hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor recreational activities. Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to explore as well.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Boulder is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Santa Barbara is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Boulder is a good coastal town for couples to visit. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. You can wander down Pearl Street or go for a bike ride. There are also great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal and then head to Panorama Point to take in the view.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boulder is a popular place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boulder. There are a number of backcountry areas in the region that are perfect for backpackers. The city also has a young population and several affordable places to stay.

Santa Barbara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city isn't really known as a budget friendly destination, but there are a couple of hostels in the area. There's also a large student population with a fun nightlife scene.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Students?

Santa Barbara and Boulder are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

Santa Barbara is a very popular coastal town for students and younger travelers. With a major university right in town, there's plenty of student life that international students or locals can enjoy.

Boulder is very popular with students. With the University of Colorado, Boulder in town, this city is a popular spot for students. It's an outdoor enthusiast's perfect base with many outdoor recreational activities in the area.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Barbara is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Boulder is not known for its public transit.

While Santa Barbara offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is generally limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town, but you really need a car to fully experience everything that the city has to offer.

Is Santa Barbara or Boulder a more walkable city?

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

Santa Barbara is a very walkable coastal town. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and best explored on foot.

Boulder is a somewhat walkable coastal town. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Barbara Worth Visiting? and Is Boulder Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boulder or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Barbara and Boulder. In our opinion, Santa Barbara has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Barbara than Boulder. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Boulder 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 Santa Barbara.

One day in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

In Santa Barbara, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the biker-friendly destination of Boulder. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

In Santa Barbara, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Santa Barbara has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boulder. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

Santa Barbara is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Boulder. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Santa Barbara or Boulder?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Barbara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Santa Barbara. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find live music and food around the city of Boulder. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Boulder, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Boulder would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boulder than you might in Santa Barbara.

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

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Boulder?

Boulder has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Boulder, 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.