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

Should you visit Santa Barbara or Maui?

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

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Maui? 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 scenic, stunning, and wealthy coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Maui

Maui is a idyllic, adventure-filled, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Santa Barbara and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Barbara or Maui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santa Barbara. Although Santa Barbara and Maui are both popular with visitors, Santa Barbara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santa Barbara is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Maui is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Maui is more touristy than Santa Barbara and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. Santa Barbara 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.

How is Santa Barbara different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui 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 Maui?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

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

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Santa Barbara. 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.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Santa Barbara is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Santa Barbara has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Resorts?

Santa Barbara and Maui offer a relatively similar set of high quality luxury resort options.

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.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Maui. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

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

Maui is a well-known place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Barbara is not a good coastal town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

It's possible to 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.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Santa Barbara and Maui are first-rate choices.

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.

With world-famous beaches, Maui is a very popular vacation destination. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Santa Barbara to see the old town. The city's downtown "Old Town" is a high end, pedestrian-friendly area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Maui does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Santa Barbara and Maui 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 Maui specifically for its hiking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Barbara or Maui?

Santa Barbara is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Santa Barbara make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous as a high end shopping destination. Head to State Street for a palm tree lined street with local boutiques.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santa Barbara is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Santa Barbara is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Santa Barbara and Maui make for a first-rate place to visit.

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.

For those traveling as a couple, Maui has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui Better for Students?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for students. However, Maui 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.

Maui is not popular with students.

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

Santa Barbara is a popular place for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Barbara, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Transit options include buses, trolleys and water taxis.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Santa Barbara or Maui a more walkable city?

Santa Barbara is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options 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.

Maui is not a very walkable coastal town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Maui or Santa Barbara?

How long in Santa Barbara or Maui?

Both Santa Barbara and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui 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 Maui.

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

Couples should spend more time in Santa Barbara than Maui. 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 Maui 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 Maui?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Maui. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Maui?

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 Maui. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Maui?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the pristine 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Maui. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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 Maui?

The scenic 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 shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful island of Maui. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Maui, we can see that Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Santa Barbara or Maui?

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 Santa Barbara or Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Maui. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

In July, Santa Barbara is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 65°F (19°C), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In July, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Maui. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Maui. 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. Additionally, many travelers come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Santa Barbara is much colder than Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in October than Maui. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Santa Barbara is much colder than Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Barbara in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Maui. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Santa Barbara or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Santa Barbara during the spring are popular places to visit. 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 Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Santa Barbara is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 57°F (14°C), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in April than Maui. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Santa Barbara