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

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Hilo? 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 stunning, wealthy, and opulent coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Hilo

Hilo is a authentic, laid back, and mellow town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Santa Barbara and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Hilo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Hilo are popular destinations, Santa Barbara has more sights and attractions for tourists. Santa Barbara is famous for its historic missions, pristine beaches, world-class surfing, and scenic hikes that are full of coastal views. It is also well known for The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Hilo is famous for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens.

How is Santa Barbara different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its historical sights. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Santa Barbara offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Santa Barbara and Hilo.

Dining out in Santa Barbara is an experience not to be missed. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hilo. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Santa Barbara has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

Santa Barbara is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

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

There's reasonable scuba diving or snorkeling available in both Santa Barbara and Hilo.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Santa Barbara is very popular for the beach. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Santa Barbara. 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.

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for its Old Town?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Santa Barbara has an old town worth visiting. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Hilo does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Santa Barbara and Hilo both have first-rate trails.

People visit Santa Barbara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Many people visit Hilo specifically for its hiking. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Hilo?

Santa Barbara is very popular for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many people travel to Santa Barbara specifically to go shopping. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Santa Barbara or Hilo.

Santa Barbara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Hilo is a very family-friendly destination. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo Better for Couples?

Santa Barbara is very popular for couples. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Santa Barbara makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town is a stunningly beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, and nice resorts that make for a great honeymoon or romantic trip.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

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

Hilo is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hilo is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

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 Hilo Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a great coastal town for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilo is not popular with students.

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.

Hilo is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilo 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 Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Santa Barbara or Hilo a more walkable city?

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

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

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Hilo?

Both Santa Barbara and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Santa Barbara. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Santa Barbara, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Hilo. 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 Hilo. 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 Hilo 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 Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Barbara. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Hilo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Hilo?

Santa Barbara is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Santa Barbara or Hilo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the opulent destination of Santa Barbara. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Hilo. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Santa Barbara or Hilo?

The pristine coastal town of Santa Barbara offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful town of Hilo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Santa Barbara and Hilo, we can see that Hilo 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 Santa Barbara Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Hilo?

Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Hilo, 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 Santa Barbara or Hilo?

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 Santa Barbara or Hilo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Hilo. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

Santa Barbara is cooler than Hilo in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 65°F (19°C) in July, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Hilo in the Autumn?

Both Hilo and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santa Barbara is cooler than Hilo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Barbara in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In October, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Hilo. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Hilo in the Winter?

Both Hilo and Santa Barbara during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Hilo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santa Barbara is generally much colder than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 52°F (11°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Hilo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Hilo. Many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Santa Barbara is much colder than Hilo in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Hilo. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Santa Barbara